James C. Holland was born April 2, 1853, in a log cabin in Lima, Ohio.

He served as state architect for a period of time.

[1] In 1882, Holland married Lizzie Baker, with whom he had two sons and a daughter.

[2] In 1883-1884 he was chair of the architecture department of Ohio Northern University, his alma mater.

[3] Under various punctuations or spellings for his name, and/or with various partners, many of his works are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.