Charles Asa Holden, a well-to-do farmer of Langdon, was born in this town, August 4, 1833, son of Asa and Mary Ann (Evans) Holden. Edmund Holden, the father of Asa, was a native of Shirley, Mass., and the first of the family to settle in Langdon. He was a prosperous farmer and stock-raiser. In 1796 he married Susan Rockwood, of Groton, Mass., and became the father of six children, born as follows: Amanda, in 1797; Suka, in 1799; Edmund, in 1802; Asa, May 30, 1804; Rockwood, in 1809; and Sophronia, in 1813.
Asa Holden taught school for a number of years in different towns. Then he purchased a farm, and was engaged in carrying it on until he gave up active work, some twelve years before his death, which happened December 12, 1885, when he was over eighty-one years of age. He was a Deacon of the Congregational church for many years. Mary Ann (Evans) Holden, his wife, was born in Rockingham, Vt., in 1811, and died in September, 1874, aged sixty-three. Their children were: Charles Asa, Mary E., George H., Henry M., Luella V., and Edward M., all of whom were born in Langdon. Mary E., the elder daughter, now deceased, who was born January 26, 1835, married Samuel K. Upton, formerly of Langdon, now of Acworth, N.H., and had two children-Mary L. and Hattie L., respectively the wives of Charles Barney, of Claremont, N.H., and William H. Wilson, of Langdon. George H., born July 29, 1838, who lives in Walpole and is a farmer, married Jane Allen, of Walpole, who died leaving two sons-George N. and Charles H. Henry M., born October 14, 1840, who is a successful farmer in Langdon, married Emma Dinsmore, of Alstead, N.H., and has three daughters-Edith, Etta M., and Dora. Luella V., born December 12, 1845, is the wife of Orr Wallace, an Alstead farmer, auctioneer, and trader in land and stock, and has no children. Edward M., born April 21, 1851, who is a farmer in Walpole, N.H., married Lora F. Burt, a native of Walpole, and has no children.
After completing his education, which was acquired in the town schools, Charles A. Holden 1873-74 he was a Representative in the State legislature, and served on the Industrial School Committee. He is an attendant of the Congregational church.
On November 18, 1862, Mr. Holden was united in marriage with Miss Emily A. King, who was born in Acworth, N.H., March 29, 1835. She is a daughter of Captain Samuel King, who died August 29, 1877. Her parents had fourteen children, who all attained maturity. Mr. and Mrs. Holden have three children-Emily Corinne, Charley Clyde, and Allen K. Emily Corinne, born October 6, 1863, is now the wife of George Winch, a school teacher in Manchester, N.H., and has one child-Emily J., born in November, 1892. Charles Clyde, born January 10, 1866, now a travelling salesman for a jewelry firm in White River Junction, Vt., married Marcia Billings, and resides in Sabattus, Me. He has two children: Clyde T., born in March, 1895; and an infant son, Royal Charles. Allen K. Holden, born August 11, 1870, who lives on a large milk farm in Newton, Mass., married Frances Wingate, of Mooers Forks, N.Y.