William C. Holgate

The house was built by William C. Holgate, who came to Defiance in the early 1830's with his father, Curtis Holgate.
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Upon Curtis's death, William Holgate inherited his father's estate.He practiced law in Defiance for fifty years.He brought the two railroads to the city, helped plan Riverside Cemetery, founded the Defiance Agricultural Society, and saved Defiance College from financial difficulties in the 1860's by advancing his own funds.In 1845, he drafted a bill to make Defiance a separate county from Williams County, riding on horseback to Columbus, where he stayed for three months to supervise the bill's passage.When he returned to Defiance, he was greeted with cheers from his fellow citizens.

The land changed hands a number of times, and by 1862 William C. Holgate was the owner.

The five individuals selected by the hall of fame committee are: Edward Bronson, William C. Holgate, Dr. John U. Fauster Jr., Augusta Kehnast and Dr. Charles Slocum.
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William C. Holgate (1814-1888)

No single man contributed more to growth of Defiance from pioneer village to bustling city than Holgate.

In 1844, he rode horseback to Columbus, where he put through a petition for the separation of Defiance County from Williams County.

He also served as mayor, was one of the founding fathers of Defiance College and is credited with bringing two railroads to the city.He was a leading lawyer in the area, founded Defiance Agricultural Society, and was recognized for his work by Ohio House of Representatives.

Born in Burlington, Vermont, he was well-educated, having attended the Academy of Utica, N.Y. and was graduated in 1835 from Hamilton College.In 1841, he received a master of arts degree.He studied law with Willard Crafts of Utica, and then with Horace Sessions of Defiance, where he was admitted to the Ohio bar in 1838.

He actually came to the area from New York State with his father in 1835 and won his first case against Toledo attorney Morrison Waite, who later became Chief Justice of the United State Supreme Court.

He served as clerk of the court and prosecuting attorney of Williams County before his successful effort in filing the paperwork for Defiance County to become a separate entity.

Holgate was also a banker and historian, and in the 1850s built a home at 512 Holgate Ave., which is now owned by Emilie Lenhart and still looks almost exactly as it looked like at that time.
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A board of commissioners in 1873 had authorized the building of a $40,000 stone and iron structure at Hopkins St., Holgate recognized that it was located at the edge of town and had a poor approach to downtown.He asserted that the Second Street location would lead traffic downtown and unite the city and encourage its growth and his efforts were successful.

Holgate was also very active in Republican politics and served as president of Merchants' National Bank.He died in 1888.
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William C. Holgate (1814-1888)

No single man contributed more to growth of Defiance from pioneer village to bustling city than Holgate.

In 1844, he rode horseback to Columbus, where he put through a petition for the separation of Defiance County from Williams County.

He also served as mayor, was one of the founding fathers of Defiance College and is credited with bringing two railroads to the city.He was a leading lawyer in the area, founded Defiance Agricultural Society, and was recognized for his work by Ohio House of Representatives.

Born in Burlington, Vermont, he was well-educated, having attended the Academy of Utica, N.Y. and was graduated in 1835 from Hamilton College.In 1841, he received a master of arts degree.He studied law with Willard Crafts of Utica, and then with Horace Sessions of Defiance, where he was admitted to the Ohio bar in 1838.

He actually came to the area from New York State with his father in 1835 and won his first case against Toledo attorney Morrison Waite, who later became Chief Justice of the United State Supreme Court.

He served as clerk of the court and prosecuting attorney of Williams County before his successful effort in filing the paperwork for Defiance County to become a separate entity.

Holgate was also a banker and historian, and in the 1850s built a home at 512 Holgate Ave., which is now owned by Emilie Lenhart and still looks almost exactly as it looked like at that time.
...
A board of commissioners in 1873 had authorized the building of a $40,000 stone and iron structure at Hopkins St., Holgate recognized that it was located at the edge of town and had a poor approach to downtown.He asserted that the Second Street location would lead traffic downtown and unite the city and encourage its growth and his efforts were successful.

Holgate was also very active in Republican politics and served as president of Merchants' National Bank.He died in 1888.