George was born at Montreal on the 8th of March, 1816. He is the oldest representative of the HOLLAND family who settled in the City of Hull, Yorkshire, England, sometime during the sixteenth century; his father, Mr. Ralph B. HOLLAND was born in Hull in 1784 and his mother Miss REYLANCE a descendant of the DEPENDERGAST family, was born at Clonmel County, Tipperary, Ireland in 1780. Many of Mr. HOLLAND's ancestors were engaged in shipping and one held high rank in the Royal Navy. The father of Mr. HOLLAND, through the influence of his friend Col. O'NEIL of the 14th Light Dragoons obtained a supermumerary official position in the same Regiment with Rank and pay of Major and saw service in Ireland during the disturbed state of the country after the Rebellion of 1798. On the breaking out of the war of 1812 with the United States Mr. HOLLAND Senior exchanged into the 19th Light Dragoons which Regiment were under orders for Canada. The Headquarters of this Regiment was at Montreal; on peace being proclaimed he left the service and settled therein, in 1820 he then with his family went to the United States. In 1828 he returned to Canada and took ill at Port Hope and died there. The family then settled in York , now Toronto. Mr. Geo. b. HOLLAND, the subject of this notice was educated at Peterboro, Ont. under the late Rev'd. Samuel ARMOUR, Rector of Cavin with the view of following the Profession of Medicine. On the breaking out of the McKenzie Rebellion in 1837 Mr. HOLLAND returned to Toronto and joined the 1st Incorporated Dragoons and was about three years in that service as acting Quarter Master. In 1841 was appointed Purser of Royal Mail Sovereign, under command of Capt. SUTHERLAND and also the Hon'ble. Capt. ELEMSELY. In 1843 was appointed Secretary and Treasurer of the Mail Line owned by the late Donald BETHUNE, Andrew HERON and the Capt. Thomas DICK. In 1857 embarked in the Hardware business. in 1866 appointed Superintendent of the London and Lancashire Insurance Co. and the Phoenix Life of Hartford. In 1870 was Manager of the Ontario Branch Agency of the Equitable Life. In Sept. 1887 took the position of Special Agent of the Canada Life of Toronto, and at this date 8th March 1888, holds the same position. Mr. HOLLAND married in 1843, Miss COWAN only daughter of the late Alex COWAN Sen'r. of Pittsburgh county of Frontenac, Ont. and grand niece of the late Capt. David COWAN Royal Navy. Six daughters and three sons were born; eldest and youngest sons died. He joined the York Pioneer Association in May 31, 1869. he was member #25.
SOURCE: Roll of Members, York Pioneer Association, Instituted 1869, pub. 1998