Biography of Bruce Leonard Holland

Submitted by Dave Holland

The History of West Virginia, Old and New
Published 1923, The American Historical Society, Inc.,
Chicago and New York, Volume III, pg. 113-114

BRUCE LEONARD HOLLAND while not one of the oldest men is one of the oldest citizens of Logan, and has been a factor in the expanding business affairs of that community more than twenty years. He has perhaps the oldest and largest business in real estate, insurance and bonds in the town, and is also vice president of the Bank of Logan.

Mr. Holland was born near Morgantown, West Virginia, October 20, 1877, son of Capt. W. C. and Agnes Jane (Selby) Holland. The Holland family were pioneers in and around Morgantown. His parents were both natives of Monongalia County. The mother is now living at Parkersburg, where the family located in 1907. Captain Holland, who died there in 1910, at the age of seventy-five, was a well-to-do farmer and engaged in the timber business on the Monongahela River. He was always interested in politics as a matter of good government, was a republican, and for a number of years held the post of justice of the peace, and was on the school board and in other official positions.  Captain Holland and five brothers were Union soldiers, and his service began at the opening of hostilities and continued until the close of the war. He was in many battles, including Gettysburg, was twice wounded and for a time was a prisoner of war at Libby Prison.

His youngest brother entered the service at the age of fourteen years as a bugler. Captain Holland was a member of the Grand Army of the Republic and a high degree Mason, and he and his family were Baptists. They had a family of four sons and three daughters. The oldest, B. O. Holland, who died at the age of fifty years, was a pioneer merchant at Logan, being a member of the firm Moore & Holland, held the office of postmaster a number of years, and was deeply interested in the general development of the Guyon Valley and was one of the first republican voters in the community. The second child, Sally, is the wife of John Ball, who for several terms served as sheriff of Wyoming County. The third child, Fannie, is the wife of Judge Blizzard, of Parkersburg. Frank C. is in the real estate and insurance business at Mullins in Wyoming County. Bruce Leonard is the next in age. Fred is an accountant in Baldwin Tool Works at Parkersburg.

Bruce Leonard Holland acquired his early education in district schools and also attended school at Grantsville in Calhoun County. Soon after leaving school he came to Holland, and for eight years was assistant postmaster under his brother. In 1906 he was commissioned by the governor of West Virginia to transcribe the records pertaining to that part of Logan County which went to form the new County of Mingo. This was a task that required eighteen months, and its performance gave him perhaps a wider and a more intimate acquaintance with the people and affairs of Logan and Mingo counties than was possessed by any one in this section.

Many years ago Mr. Holland began selling life insurance, and his insurance business has since taken on a broad and general scope, representing some of the strongest companies in fire and life, marine, mining and all other branches of insurance service applicable to such an industrial community as Logan County. He is also connected with several bonding companies. While in this business he began dealing in real estate, and his knowledge and experience of real estate give some vital facts indicating the growth of the community. A number of years ago he paid $600 for one tract of land for which he has since been offered $60,000. Among other properties owned by him is the Jefferson Hotel at Logan. He was one of the organizers of the Bank of Logan, which started business in 1920, and of which he is vice president and member of the discount board. This bank has had a rapid growth, its deposits aggregate $800,000, and these deposits also reflect the prosperity of this mining community, since the larger part of the deposits are made by miners. Mr. Holland is also a stockholder in the First National Bank.

He inherits the interest of his father in public affairs, is one of the leading republicans of the county and a number of times has been chosen chairman of the county committee. In 1903 Mr. Holland married Kittie F. Aldridge, daughter of John P. Aldridge and a niece of Judge Wilkinson of Logan. They have three children: Paul, who just completed his high school course, has proved a very able assistant to his father in business, and is now continuing his education in Yale University; Max S., now thirteen years of age and in his first year in high school; and Mary L.