DAVID HOLMES farmer, P. O. Mount Erie. From one of the oldest families of the Western Reserve the gentleman whose name heads this sketch is descended, being born March 27, 1837, in Carroll County, Ohio. The father of our subject, William Holmes, was born in Washington County, Penn., August 26, 1801, and was of Scotch descent.
While he resided in Ohio, he was the editor of the Carroll County Pickayune, and was an almost constant office-holder during his residence in that county, serving fifteen years as Auditor, and Treasurer four years, besides other minor offices.
In 1853, the father came to Mount Erie Township, Wayne County, where he settled down on about 1,200 acres of land. In 1871, he sold out his farm and came into the village. At present he is living with one of his children, at the advanced age of eighty-one. In his lifetime, he has been married three times. The first time to Elizabeth Joseph, the second time to Eliza Ann Davis (the mother of our subject, and born January 22, 1807), and the third time to Martha Wiseman. The result of these three marriages was twenty-six children, and the following record of their births is taken from the old family Bible.
The first marriage resulted in four children, viz.,
Eighteen children were the result of the second marriage —
and four children were the result of the last marriage,viz.,
Of this remarkable family the following are now living :
Our subject received his education in the common schools of Ohio, and at the age of eighteen came to Wayne County with his father. He remained at home with his father until 1858, and then, settling in Elm Township, commenced life for himself. In that township he resided until 1872, and farmed, then, purchasing a saw mill in Marion County, he removed it to that township, where he ran it for four years. He next came to Mount Erie Township, and there ran a hotel, livery stable and drug store. The drug store he finally discontinued, but still manages the hotel, but at present he himself is giving his attention to farming, owning 200 acres in Zif Township, 160 of which are under cultivation.
Mr. Holmes was married, November 3, 1859, to Mary Huston Webb, a daughter of Wiley and Rachel (Huston) Webb. This lady was born September 29, 1836, and is the mother of eight children, all of whom are living, viz.,
July 25, 1861, our subject enlisted in Company E, Capt. G. N. Ulen, of the Fortieth Regiment, Col. Stephen G. Hicks, and remained out three years. Among the battles in which he participated were the battles of Shiloh, Mission Ridge, siege of Vicksburg, Jackson, Miss., Corrinth and Atlanta, being discharged while serving in the rifle-pits in front of the latter named city, July 25, 1864.
From 1879 to 1882. Mr. Holmes served as mail carrier from Mount Erie to Clay City and back. For two years of that time, his son Oscar performed the duty, and in that time only missed two days.
Subject is a member of Mount Erie Lodge, No. 331, A., F. & A. M., and is at present agent for the Mattoon Masonic Benefit Association. In politics, Mr. Holmes is a Democrat.
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