Alexander Hamilton Holley was born in Salisbury, Connecticut, on August 12, 1804, the son of John Milton Holley and his wife, Sally Porter. He attended several preparatory schools and later became a successful cutlery manufacturer and businessman. He had three wives: Jane M. Lyman, Marcia Coffing, and Sarah Coit. Holley died on October 2, 1887. His six children included Alexander Lyman Holley (July 20, 1832-January 29, 1882), who became an influential engineer and served as president of several professional engineering societies. Alexander Lyman Holley and his wife Mary had three daughters: Gertrude, Lucy, and Alice.
From the guide to the Alexander Lyman Holley letters, Holley, Alexander Lyman Holley letters, 1841-1867, (William L. Clements Library, University of Michigan)
