Hello,
Was wondering if anyone knew about the James Holmes described in this old biography.
Particularly interested in info about his grandfather, who is mentioned but not named.
Thanks
Nancy Holmes Simpson
"HISTORY OF DEARBORN AND OHIO COUNTIES, INDIANA-1885"
James HOLMES, Randolph Township, one of the leading farmers and stock dealers of ohio
County, was born in Harrison County, Ky., in 1822, the youngest of six children, four of
whom are now living, viz.: Polly, wife of Absalom ADAMS, married in Harrison County, Ky.,
in 1827, and moved to Laughery in 1828; William, born in 1810, married to Celia RICKETTS
in 1832, and moved to Woodford County and purchased land, clearing up three different
farms, and working up from poverty to a fortune, accidentally killed in 1876 by a load of
lumber falling upon him, was a firm Democrat, and noted for his liberality (sent one son
to the war, and he was killed at teh battle of Kenesaw Mountain); Sara, wife of Morgan
ROBINSON, married in 1833, husband died in 1880; Nancy wife of William BURNS (who died in
September, 1853), and is now a resident of Bellevue, Ky; Robert, who married Margaret
MORELAND in 1840, and died of cholera in 1849. James HOLMES, the father of the above
named children, was b!
orn in
Virginia. His father of Irish descent, moved to Kentucky when a young man, and there
married Prudence KLAMPET, a native of Delaware, and in 1824 moved to Ohio in which State
they resided four years, in Clermont County. They came to Dearborn County in 1828, where
Mr. HOLMES purchased 120 acres of land on either side of Laughery Creek, when in March,
1829, death took him from his toil. His widow survived till September, 1879, dying at the
age of ninety-four and a half years. James HOLMES, the subject of this sketch grew up in
the woods on the farm, residing with his mother till January, 1849, when he married
Charity Ann MYERS, a native of Ohio, and daughter of Joel and Lydia (RAND) MYERS. He
began very poor, and worked hard to make a start in business. He chopped cord-wood at 35
cents per cord, and by the greatest economy and labor saved from his earnings $500 in ten
years, and bought fifty acres of land. Since that time his advancement has been moree
rapid, and he has!
added to
his original purchase at intervals till he now owns 300 acres. He has done some
flat-boating and has dealt extensively in stock and produce, buying in every part of the
country for many miles around. Mr. and Mrs HOLMES have had ten children, two deceased;
the eldest, Lauretta, at fourteen years of age, and Mary, the third daughter, who died in
1875 at the age of twenty years. The living are Prudence (wife of John McQUARY,
Switzerland County), Emma J. (wife of Edwin TINKER, this township), Belle, Anna (wife of
Joseph PATE), Elizabeth, Rubert, George and James A. Mr. HOLMES takes an active part in
local politics, and is a Democrat of the most pronounced order. As a citizen his
character is above reproach, and his naturally social nature has won to him a large circle
of personal friends.
Nancy R. Holmes Simpson
"One man with courage makes a majority"--Andrew Jackson