Judge Wesley A. Holland
Written by Justin Lamb
Wesley A. Holland was born in the northern section of Calloway County (now Marshall) on July 27th, 1832 to John Holland and Catherine Parent. His father came from North Carolina and settled on the Tennessee River shortly before his birth. Holland grew up with very modest means on the family farm and attended the common schools of the day. When Holland was ten years old, the northern section of Calloway County was formed into Marshall County after a successful act in General Assembly introduced by State Representative James Brien.
At age 25, Holland became a lawyer and moved to Benton where he built up a successful practice until the War Between the States broke out in 1861. “Holland believed the rights and liberties of the people of the South were being trampled underfoot by the abolition party and in August 1861, when a call was made for the brave and patriotic young men of western Kentucky to volunteer their lives and leave their homes and all that was near and dear to them and go upon the battlefield in defense of the beloved south, no one was more willing to lay down his life in the defense of his convictions than young Holland.” Holland enlisted in the Confederate Third Kentucky Infantry, Company A. After being wounded, Holland was honorably discharged and returned home to Marshall County. After swearing a loyalty oath to the Union, Holland returned to his father’s farm and was elected County Judge in 1866 as a Democrat. After four years as County Judge, Holland was then elected county school superintendent in 1870 and served for eight years. After leaving politics in 1878, Holland opened a successful grocery and drug store on the court square in Benton with James R. Lemon.
On March 18th, 1875, Holland, who was now 43 years old, married 18 year old Jane Thompson of Benton. The couple had two children, Clint and Errett Holland. Judge Holland became active member of the Benton Christian Church and was a staunch defender of the temperance movement.
Judge Wesley A. Holland passed away on October 2, 1902 and buried in the Thompson Cemetery in Benton.