L.F.Holley "The Village Blacksmith"

I ran across the obit of my great-grandfather, L.F. Holley the other day; learning an interesting fact about him. He was a blacksmith in Pleasanton from his arrival there, around 1920, until his death in 1940. He is buried in the Pleasanton City Cemetery.
An excerpt from his obit reads as followed:
"He was the father of two sons, E.P.Holley of Pleasanton and R.P. Holley of Palestine. On November 15, 1929 he was married to Mrs. J.B.Andrews, who was his faithful companion until his death.
Mr. Holley was well liked by everyone, and was a true type of "The Village Blacksmith," always found in his little shop."
In tribute to his service in the community, the Pleasanton Express printed an excerpt from "The Village Blacksmith" poem:
"Under the spreading chestnut tree
The village smithy stands;
The smith, a mighty man is he,
With large and sinewy hands;
And the muscles in his brauny arms,
Are strong as iron bands.
His hair is crisp and black and long,
His face is like the tan;
His brow is wet with honest sweat,
He earns what e'er he can;
And looks the whole world in the face,
For he owes not any man.
Week in, week out, from morn 'till night,
You can hear his bellows bow;
You can hear him swing his heavy sledge,
With measured heat, and slow,
Like a sexton ringing the village bell,
When the evening sun is low."

I never had the pleasure of knowing L.F. for he passed away ten years before I was born...but through this sixty-eight year old tribute to him, I have gained a glimpse into his life.