- THOMAS HOLMES, who has retired from active life and now resides
in the village of Shopiere,
- is numbered among the early settlers of this county. He was
born in Londonderry, N.H., March 16, 1813, and is the son of
John and Sarah (ANDERSON) HOLMES, who were descended from the
old Puritan stock. Their family numbered five children, of whom
four grew to manhood and womanhood - James, who was a prominent
minister of the Congregational Church, served as a missionary
in Ohio for several years, and for the long period of twenty-one
years had charge of the church at Auburn, N.H., has passed to
his reward, dying in 1888. Thomas is the next child; Caroline,
widow of Rev. William MURDOCK, is a resident of West BOYLSTON,
Mass.; and J. A., the youngest, whose sketch
is given elsewhere, resides in this county. In 1819, the mother
of these children was called to her final rest, leaving her family
of four little ones. She was a member of the Presbyterian Church.
Mr. HOLMES was married again, his second union being with Miss
Mary ADAMS, of Dairen, N.H., a daughter of William ADAMS. She
gave the kindest care and attention to the motherless little
ones, superintending their education and devoting herself to
them as assiduously as their own mother could have done. Mr.
and Mrs. HOLMES were both members of the Presbyterian Church,
in which he served as elder for many years. He was always found
in his place during the church services and gave liberally of
his means to advance the cause of Christ on earth. His death
occurred in Londonderry, N.H., about the year 1851, and but a
short time after his wife also departed this life.
- The primary education of our subject was received in his
native city, and supplemented by a
- course at the Academy of Andover, Mass. Until twenty-four
years of age, he remained at home with his parents, when he went
to Pittsburg, Pa., and engaged in the profession of teaching
during the winter of 1837. The following year he was employed
as a clerk in a wholesale grocery house until he established
himself in the retail boot and shoe business in that city. Continuing
in that line until 1842, he then went to Watertown, Ohio, where
he embarked in business, carrying a general line of merchandise.
This stock he disposed of in 1849, and returned to New Hampshire,
visiting his old home and remaining with his parents until after
the death of his father in 1850. His next place of residence
was at Cordaville, Mass., where he again operated a general merchandise
store until 1851, when once more he visited his old home. In
1853 he sold out his stock and trade in Cordaville with the intention
of making his home in the West and acting upon this determination,
located in Rock County, Wis.
- Previous to this time, Mr. HOLMES was married, Miss Mary
A. PARKER becoming his wife
- on the 13th day of August, 1840. She was born in Worcester
County, Mass., Jan. 17, 1812, and is a daughter of Gabriel and
Olive (FAY) PARKER, also natives of Massachusetts, and prominent
members of the Congregational Church. Her father took a very
active part in the work of that denomination, and for many years
served as deacon in the society to which he belonged. Both were
called from this life to the realms above, while residents of
Massachusetts.
- In 1853, Mr. and Mrs. HOLMES started for their Western home,
the husband having previous to
- this time purchased a farm on section 8, Turtle Township,
in Rock County, and in the little log cabin they began life in
this State. The mode of living in the frontier was very different
from that in the East, where every luxury and convenience could
be secured, but Mrs. HOLMES willingly conformed her life to her
changed surroundings and the days passed swiftly and merrily.
She was in very feeble health on her arrival in Rock County,
but in the fresh and bracing air she soon regained her usual
health and attributes much of her present vigor to her life on
the frontier. After three years spent upon the farm, Mr. and
Mrs. HOLMES, in 1856, removed to the village of Shopiere, where
the husband engaged in general merchandising until 1877, when
he laid aside the duties of that life and has since given his
attention to the management of his farming interests. He is the
owner of 570 acres of land, 270 acres situated in this county,
and the remainder in Spink County, Dak. He also owns a handsome
residence in Shopiere, which is the home of this worthy couple.
Mr. HOLMES has held various local offices of trust. For seven
years he filled the position of Town Clerk, was five years Chairman
of the Township Board and one year was Chairman of the County
Board of Supervisors. Although his business interests were extensive,
he has never neglected his religious duties, but has long been
a faithful member of the Congregational Church, in which he has
served in the capacity of deacon for many years. His wife is
also a member of the same denomination, and their influence and
aid have ever been given in the promotion of moral, educational
and social interests. Two children have been born to them, but
neither are now living. Their son, John A., died in his twenty-fifth
year. He wedded Miss Ella FARR, daughter of Dr. Corydon FARR,
who for many years was a prominent physician of Shopiere, and
they became the parents of one child, Nellie, who is a graduate
of the High School of Whitewater. She is now living with her
mother, who has since wedded Dewitt VAN VALEM, in Whitewater,
Wis.
- Mr. and Mrs. HOLMES have now grown old, but they can look
back over a life whose years
- have been well spent. They receive the highest respect and
love of all with whom they have become acquainted, and are honored
as pioneers and citizens. For thirty-six years they have resided
in this community, and even when they shall have passed away
their memory will long be enshrined in the hearts of the citizens
who have had the pleasure of knowing these worthy people.
-
- Taken from "The Portrait and Biographical Album of
Rock County, Wis." (c)1889, pp. 601-602.
-
- Courtesy of Carol
|