John M. Holzendorf

John McCay Holzendorf, Sr. (born 1857–1861) was an American politician from Camden County, Georgia. He represented Camden County in the Georgia House of Representatives in 1890 and 1891, one of only two African American representatives in the state House during those sessions. He was also a farmer and a schoolteacher. He was a member of the Republican Party.

In the 1870 census, twelve-year-old Holzendorf was recorded as living in Camden County with farmer James Trueblood, two other Truebloods, and Dora and Morgan Holzendorf (both of whom were younger than him), in a neighboring house to his future wife, Lucilla Way (then eight years old). Holzendorf was attending school at the time. He was listed as a Mulatto, while Lucilla and her family were listed as Black.

Holzendorf married Lucilla Way on October 30, 1879.

The 1880 census recorded that Holzendorf lived in Jeffersonton with his mother-in-law, who was a widow who could not read or write, and his wife Lucilla. Holzendorf, who was listed as being 22 years old (like the 1870 census indicating a birth date in 1857 or 1858), and his wife, who was recorded as being fifteen, both did farm work. While Lucilla's mother was listed as Black, the Holzendorfs were listed as Mulattos.

According to the 1900 census, Holzendorf was born in January 1861, and his wife was born in December 1864.

John and Lucilla Holzendorf had five children, James A., John M., Chester A., Daisy L., and Lenora, born between 1881 and 1893. He was sworn into office on November 5, 1890. During his time in the state House of Representatives, he was appointed to the Committee on Education and the Special Agricultural Committee.

On November 20, 1890, Holzendorf voted for a bill to establish a school for colored persons as a branch of the State University, which passed.

On September 18, 1891, Holzendorf voted against a bill to increase the cost of a liquor license from $50 to $200, but it passed the House 94 to 48.

Holzendorf "accorded himself with dignity while working tirelessly to improve the welfare of Negroes in Camden County." In the election in October, he won the most votes in Camden County, but lost the election overall.

In 1893, Holzendorf ran for State Representative against incumbent Anthony Wilson, who was also African American, and Burwell Atkinson, who was white. The African American vote was split, leading to Atkinson's election. and he served in that position until 1913.