This contains a transcription of the Jason R. Holman of Hinsdale, NH biography from Biographical Review Volume XXIII: Containing Life Sketches of Leading Citizens of Cheshire and Hillsboro Counties, New Hampshire, Biographical Review Publishing Company, Boston, 1897.
Pages 68-69
JASON R. HOLMAN, who for over thirty years has carried on a general machine business in Hinsdale, was born in Chesterfield, N. H., March 30, 1831, son of James and Mary (Faulkner) Holman. His father was an adopted son of David Holman, who was probably a son of Edward Holman, of Royalston, Mass. David Holman settled in Chesterfield about the year 1805, and died there August 17, 1864, aged eighty-five years. He first married Mehitable Gale, who died November 19, 1847, aged sixty-four years. A second marriage was contracted by him in 1850 with Mrs. Laura Stone Henry, who died March 21, 1863. He was the father of one child—Ella F., who, on reaching her maturity, went to San Francisco, Cal.
James Holman resided in Chesterfield until his death, which occurred April 28, 1844, at the age of thirty-five. His wife, Mary, whom he married in 1824, became the mother of nine children, as follows: David, born January 5, 1825; Mehitable, October 19, 1826; William, August 2, 1828; Jason R., the subject of this sketch; Sarah F., December 26, 1832; Esther M., January 22, 1834; Cynthia, September 14, 1836; George, August 3, 1838; and Henry M., May 15, 1840. Mehitable married Alanson Spaulding. Sarah F. died March 21, 1849. Esther M., who married Charles Miles, of Stow, Mass., died November 9, 1857. Cynthia became the wife of Rufus F. Colburn. George died March 24, 1863, and Henry died October 28, 1847. The mother’s death occurred August 31, 1841.
Jason R. Holman was thirteen years old when his father died, leaving his mother with a large family. He assisted in carrying on the homestead farm until he was nineteen, with the exception of a year spent in a bit factory in Spofford. Then he came to Hinsdale, and, entering the machine shop of Mssrs. Newhall & Merrill as an apprentice, he remained with that firm for twelve years. Having mastered the trade and saved a considerable amount of his earnings, he in 1862 was enabled to embark in the machine business with a Mr. Tolman. Three years later his partner sold his interest to a Mr. Merriman, after which the business was carried on by Messrs. Holman & Merriman until 1870. Since then Mr. Holman has been the sole proprietor. He employs in busy times from six to nine workmen, and his plant is equipped with every modern machine, tool, and appliance necessary for a varied line of work. He gives his personal attention to every detail, and has excellent facilities for building machinery or making any kind of device from a draft or a pattern.
Mr. Holman has been three times married. The maiden name of his present wife was Charlotte Ellis. He has two sons, Henry and Warren, both of whom are machinists. Mr. Holman has served with ability as a member of the Board of Selectmen, and he takes a deep interest in the welfare and prosperity of the town.