Ellsworth Scott Holderman

75 years ago this week, my great-great grandfather and namesake passed away.

as published on 1937 March 19, article in the Cottage Grove Sentinel:

Elzie Holderman Accidently Killed Friday at Culp Creek. Boy Scouts, Forest Service Men, State Police, Friends, Relatives Pay Last Respects.

A legion of sorrowing friends khaki-clad boy scouts, forest service men in green, state police in blue, and just neighbors and friends from all walks of life, met at the Mills chapel Monday to pay their last, silent but eloquent respects to a fine citizen, a good neighbor Ellsworth Scott Holderman, who was accidentally killed Friday at Culp Creek, where for a few days he had been scaling logs at the Scott Lumber company mill.

After more than 23 years of active life in the forest service, from which he had retired, Mr. Holderman, familiarly known to young and old alike as Elzie, found life without a job to do, a hard way to spend his time. Only a few days before his death, he had accepted a temporary position as scaler, and it was while at this work that he met his death. Just what happened will never be known. Mr. Holderman had finished scaling a truckload of logs, given the order to unload, and walked away and laid down his scaling hook. One log was unloaded and Mr. Holderman was gone. A moment later his body appeared in the mill pond, and though recovered immediately, and every effort made to aid him, it was too late, for life had passed away.

Mr. Holderman was born January 28, 1868, in the state of Kansas. His parents died when he was in his early teens and he came to Oregon in 1884 to live with an aunt, Mrs. Sam Woods, and her husband. He spent many months helping to care for his blind grandmother, who made her home with the Woods family. He later went back to Kansas to share in a family inheritance. When he returned to Oregon he conducted a hardware store which he and the late S.R. Piper purchased from Henry Veatch. Later he sold his interest to Mr. Piper and opened a livery stable. He was interested in mining in the Bohemia and southern Oregon districts for 12 years. He entered the forestry service in 1909 where he remained active for 23 years before retiring.

For the last few years Mr. Holderman was scoutmaster of troop 18, respected as a splendid comrade by his troop members, who lovingly called him Elzie. With his valuable experience in the woods and being a student of nature he was able to impart his knowledge to the boys on many hikes and camping trips which they were privileged to enjoy.

Mr. Holderman was married November 1, 1890, to Eva J. Veatch at Eugene. Surviving are his widow, a son, Harvey Holderman of Bradwood, and a daughter, Mrs. Doris Morelock of Cottage Grove. There are four grand children.

Funeral services were conducted by Rev. James A. Smith. Interment was in the A.F. & A.M. and I.O.O.F. cemetery. The Boy Scout troop of which he had been scoutmaster formed an escort and had a part in the graveside service.