Spirit of the Times Batavia, Genesee Co., NY June 4 1887 * * DEATH OF RICHARD O. HOLDEN Sudden Ending of a Long and Useful Career. The people of this community were greatly shocked and saddened to learn on Sunday morning last of the sudden death of one of Batavia's most widely-known citizens, Richard O. HOLDEN, which occurred at five o'clock at his home on East Main street. Mr. HOLDEN had been somewhat indisposed in the fore part of the week and on Wednesday did not leave the house, but on Thursday was around as usual and, although not feeling quite himself, was at the store attending to business matters on Friday, greeting his numerous acquaintances with is old-time courtesy and cordiality. On Friday afternoon a runaway accident occurred in which a lady was thrown in a dangerous position. Mr. HOLDEN saw the accident and was one of those who helped the lady to a place of safety. The incident was one of excitement, especially to one of Mr. HOLDEN's sympathetic and impressionable nature and it is supposed that this, together with is exertion, aggravated the difficulty that had been troubling him for several days. Very early Saturday morning Mr. HOLDEN complained of severe pains in the chest, especially in the region of his heart, and as they increased in intensity Dr. TOZIER was summoned. Everything possible was done to relieve the pain, which he endured more or less all through the day, and at evening he seemed easier. He rested but illy during the night but his faithful wife and companion remained with him hourly, supplying his every need and providing as best she could for his ease and comfort. At three o'clock Sunday morning he insisted that she should lie down, which she did, only to be more watchful than before. She arose often to see that he slept quietly and restfully but on going to him at five o'clock she found him sinking into a sleep from which he would never more awake. Hastily summoning her son Frank she dispatched him for Dr. TOZIER, but before the physician's arrival Mr. HOLDEN had quietly and peacefully breathed his last. Richard O. HOLDEN was born March 5th, 1814, in a log house on the farm now owned by W.H.G. POST on the Buffalo road. At 16 years of age he went by canal-boat to New York city and entered a dry goods store as a clerk, where he remained five years. Returning to Batavia he went into business for himself, taking the late Gustavus A. LAY for partner. They opened a dry goods store where the Masse block now stands and continued the business a number of years. In 1847 Mr. HOLDEN took into partnership Mr. John L. THORN, and their place of business was on the east corner of Main and Jackson streets, where Doty & Ward's bank now is. This firm also did business a number of years and very successfully, too, for Mr. THORN, who went in without capital, retired with $21,000. Mr. HOLDEN built the large store now occupied by himself and son in 1859, and formed a partnership with Mr. Thomas GLOVER and Mr. George FOOTE, under the firm name of HOLDEN & GLOVER. Branch stores were opened in Alabama and Warsaw, and the firm lived five years. At the end of the five years GLOVER retired with $14,000 and FOOTE $5,000, both beginning without capital. In 1880 Mr. HOLDEN took his son Hinman into partnership, and since that time to the time of his death the business has been done in the firm name of R.O. HOLDEN & Son, the weight of care and responsibility resting on the shoulders of the son. Mr. HOLDEN leaves a widow, two sons, Hinman and Frank S., and two daughters, Catharine E. and Hattie L. HOLDEN. One brother, John S. HOLDEN, of New York, and three sisters, Mrs. Eliza E. CLARK and Mrs. Pauline LAY, of Batavia, and Mrs. Emeline MARTINDALE of Rochester survive him. During his lifelong residence in Batavia Mr. HOLDEN has made and retained a large number of friends, not only in this town but through this and adjoining counties. In business he was a man of the strictest integrity. He enjoyed the fullest confidence of all with whom he had business relations and his word was always as good as his bond. While he exacted all that was due no man ever suffered a loss by him, for he was ever scrupulously just and fair. He was always identified with matters of public interest and welfare and his wife counsel, begotten of a long experience, was often sought in matters of public weal. By his industry and correct business habits he had built up a large business and he always took a kindly interest in the efforts and successes of others around him. There are few people in Genesee county who have not received his cordial greeting or felt the warm clasp of his hand, and hundreds upon hundreds will read of his death with hearts full of sadness and feel that death has indeed taken one of nature's noblemen. The funeral was held from the family residence on Wednesday afternoon last, being attended by a large number of our citizens and many from out of town. As a token of the respect and esteem in which Mr. HOLDEN was held by the business men of this place all the stores an business places were closed from one o'clock til three. The services were conducted by Rev. Dr. W.A. HITCHCOCK, late rector of St. James Episcopal church, who alluded in a touching manner to the past life of the deceased, paying a deserved tribute to his character and deeds. * * submitted by L.C. Schmidt