Person Page - 213

     Chester Holcombe married Caroline Hoxie. Chester Holcombe was the son of Amos Holcombe III and Mary Hall.

     Anna Holcombe was the daughter of Amos Holcombe III and Mary Hall.

     Sarah Guthry was born in 1810. She married Jonathan Holcombe, son of Amos Holcombe III and Mary Hall. Sarah Guthry died in 1899 at Jo Daviess Co., IL.

     Lydia Holcombe was born on 18 September 1822 at Alburg, Grand Isle Co., VT.¹ She was the daughter of Jonathan Holcombe and Electa Clark. Lydia Holcombe married Lorenzo Danforth Hopkins, son of Nathaniel Lillie Hopkins and Lemira Flint, on 20 July 1845 at NY.¹ Lydia Holcombe died on 14 January 1884 at Lansing, Allamakea Co., IA, at age 61.¹ She was buried at Dickson Cemetery, Lynxville, Crawford Co., WI.

     Electa Ann Holcombe was the daughter of Jonathan Holcombe and Electa Clark. From the History of Jo Daviess Co., IL, 1878 Electa Ann lived in Plattsburg as a small child. After her mother died, her father moved to Illinois and Electa Ann stayed with friends in NY. When she was 14, she came to Elizabeth to live with her sister, Mrs. Lorenzo (Lydia) Hopkins. Shortly thereafter she went to work for robert Lingford as a housekeeper and married him while she was still only 14 years old. After his death she ran the farm until she remarried Thomas Howarth, a well to do elizabeth businessman, on 16 July 1882. He left her considerable property at his death on 13 Feb. 1902 at age 77. She and both husbands' names are on the same stone in Elizabeth Cemetery. Electa Ann Holcombe was born on 31 August 1838 at Plattsburgh, Clinton Co., NY. She married Robert Lingford on 5 October 1852 at Elizabeth, Jo Daviess Co., IL. Electa Ann Holcombe died on 24 January 1908 at Elizabeth, Jo Daviess Co., IL.

     William Henry Holcombe was born on 30 November 1845 at Jo Daviess Co., IL. He was the son of Asa Holcombe and Martha Adelaide Bates. William Henry Holcombe married Sarah Rebecca Dobler on 17 September 1868. William Henry Holcombe died in 1907.

     Asa moved from NY State in 1847 to Jo Daviess Co., IL. Asa Holcombe was born on 20 January 1824 at North Hers, VT. He was the son of Jonathan Holcombe and Electa Clark. Asa Holcombe married Martha Adelaide Bates, daughter of Caleb Bates and Phoebe Holbrook, circa 1844 at Jo Daviess Co., IL. Asa Holcombe married Eleanor Jane Murdock on 5 June 1848. Asa Holcombe died at Jo Daviess Co., IL.

     Reuben Holcombe was born in August 1839. He was the son of Jonathan Holcombe and Electa Clark.

There is a Reuben Holcombe enumerated in the Rush Twp. Jo Daviess Co., IL, federal census, he is 22, married to Susanna 19.

     Newell Holcombe was born on 15 August 1819 at North Hers, VT. He was the son of Jonathan Holcombe and Electa Clark. Newell Holcombe lived at Elizabethtown, Hardin Co., IL. He died in 1875 at Nora, Jo Daviess Co., IL.

Taken from "Portrait and Biographical Album - Jo Daviess County, Illinois" 1889. Courtesy of Roger and Carole Halfpop, 108 2nd St. NE, Belmond, IA 50421


Newell Holcomb, an old settler of Jo Daviess County, is a true type of the noble hearted, intelligent, stalwart, resolute pioneers, whose interprise and energy have been prominent factors in developing the resources of this region and bring it to its present advanced state of civilization and wealth as one of the foremost counties of Northern Illinois. He has long been identified with the farming interests of this part of the State and his 270 acre farm, on sections 26 & 27, Woodbine Township, in point of cultivation and improvement, is considered one of the best in this locality. It is well-stocked, and his sleek and well-kept herd of graded Short-horns compare with the finest cattle in the township, and his Poland-China hogs are of a high grade and bring the best market prices.


Mr. Holcomb was born Aug. 15, 1819 on the Isle of Mott, in the waters of the beautiful Lake Champlain, in Grand Island County, Vt., and he was derived from good old New England stock. His father, Johathan Holcomb, was born near Burlington, Vt., and was for 13 years a sailor on Lake Champlain. He was also a cooper and jeweler by trade. He died at Nora, Jo Daviess Co., in the spring of 1875, rounding out an honorable life at an advanced age. He had settled in this county in 1845, as one of the pioneers. The maiden name of the mother of our subject was Electa Clark and she was a daughter of Truman and Affina (Wheeler) Clark, her mother having been a cousin of ex-Vice President Wheeler. There were 10 children in the subject's parents' family. Newell, our subject; Lydia, deceased; Asa, of Warren, Henry, of Storm Lake, Iowa; Alonzo, of Dakota, Il; William, of San Francisco, Cal;Electa Ann, of Elizabeth; Reuben of Storm Lake, Iowa; Melinda, deceased; and Clarinda, of Red Oak, Iowa were twins. William, an extensive dealer in wheat, shipping it to Liverpool, is now very wealthy--he and his partners being worth $3,000,000. He went to California in 1851 on foot, a barefoot, penniless young man; on the way was taken sick and laid down on the ground in a brickyard to die; a kindly Samaritan picked him up, took care of him until his recovery. He then went to work with a will, and gradually built up his present fortune.


Our subject removed with his parents to Plattsburg, N.Y., when about 15 years old, and he was on the old battle-ground many times. Three years later they removed to St. Lawrence County, N. Y. , and in the fall of 1838 our subject came to Springfield, Ill., and in the following spring he walked from that city to Galena, carrying all his worldly possessions in two cotton handkerchiefs. When he arrived in Springfield he had seven bits in his pocket, and started for Galena, and that was his entire capital to start out in a new life. He soon found work in the employ of Judge Stone, on the Portage farm, at gardening, etc. in 1840 he assisted in building Gillett's mill, and was there engaged in making flour barrels the ensuing four years. He then coopered at Thompsons's mill, on the Apple River, and after that he went to Stephenson County, and where Lena now stands, entered 480 acres of government land, and on what is now Main St., that town, afterward cradled harvests of wheat. He was actively and profitably engaged in raising grain that for some time and use to haul his wheat to the mill to have it ground, and then peddled flour all through the mines, and thus carried on an extensive business from which he made much money. he still, however, retained his residence in this county, and improved his present farm providing it with substantial buildings, etc.


Mr. Holcomb has been three times married. His first marriage, July 9, 1945, was to Miss Louisa, daughter of Andrew Kellog and they had two children--Maria L. and George W. Maria married Sidney Willison of Rush Township, and they have eight children. George married Mary Tyson, of Savanna, Ill. and they have one child. Mrs. Holcomb died Sept 7, 1849 , after a brief but happy wedded life. The second marriage of our subject, which occurred May 12, 1850, was to Nancy Cressy (Crisse) , and five children were born to them--Bethia J., Marietta, Ira B. deceased, Henrietta D., William H. Bethia married Benjamin Claypool, of Orleans, Neb. and they have 5 children. Marietta married James Rankin of this township, and they have 5 children.. Ira married Lizzie Roberts and both died, leaving one son Clarence, who lives with our subject. Henrietta married William Loven, of this township and has one child. The mother of these children departed this life July 17, 1869, leaving to them the precious legacy of a life well-spent. Mr. Holcomb was married to his present amiable wife July 4, 1871 and their union has been blessed to them by the birth of three children, Jennie M; Edward M; Mabel A; Mrs. Holcomb's maiden name was Sarah Montgomery and she is a daughter of the late Edward and Mary (Shelley) Montgomery. The mother was a native of Pennsylvania , and the father of England. Sarah was born in Galena, Jo Daviess Co.,


Mr. Holcomb has amassed a comfortable fortune by intelligent enterprise, and by the exercise of his traits of character that he holds in common with others who have achieved success in life solely by unremitting and well-directed toil, and now in the enjoyment of a serene and active old age, he may well be proud of his honorable record. Our subject is alive to all public interests, especially to the advancement of education, as School Director, he has done much in times past to promote the cause in this township. He has been Road commissioner--was the first to hold that office in this township--but he generally refuses official honors. He is a valued and active member of the Methodist Church and is identified with the I.O.O.F. In his political views he is a strong Republican. He died in 1875 in Nora, Jo Daviess Co., Il. He was married to Nancy CRISSE on 12 May 1850 in Jo Daviess Co., Illinois.

     William Austin was given a good education for his period. At 17 he was employed at an Indian trading post at the mouth of Little Rock River in Minnesota, where he participated in the troubles of the early settlers with the Indians.

Moved with a party "across the plains" from Minnesota to Nevada City, California, arriving there August 27, 1853, having started in the previoius spring. Engaged in mining at Bear River with indifferent success. Kept store, served as deputy Sheriff, appointed shot-gun messenger of stage coach express on the 80 mile route between St. Louis, Sierra Co. and Marysville, Yuba Co., California, to guard the treasure it transported. He remained in this service several years due to being efficient and trustworthy. He prospected in Humboldt Co., Nevada in 1861; appointed assessor for Humboldt Co. in 1862 and elected County Treasurer in 1862 and re-elected in 1864; became Postmaster. Agent for Wells Fargo Express Co., Notary Public, dist. Recorded of Mining Claims; Sec'y for 22 mining companies, correspondent for 5 newspapers and editor of the Humboldt (Nev.) Register.

He resigned as Treas. and settled his business affairs at Humboldt in 1865 and moved to San Francisco, CA, where he soon entered the warehouse business on Battery St; formed partnership and entered the grain trade in 1866, making its 1st shipment at Oakland Wharf in 1870, and later the 1st shipment from Vallejo; became 1st overland shipper of wheat and flour to Chicago and new York City and did an enormous export business until 1878 when his firm was dissolved and he retired.

He was chosen in 1894 President of the San Francisco Produce Exchange and held it through several successive annual elections; Pres. Merchants Exchange and Call Board Ass'n; proposed in convention for nomination to US Senate in 1885 and for Mayor of Oakland, CA in 1891. Delegate to Municipal and State Republican conventions. William Austin Holcombe was born on 26 April 1833 at North Hers, VT. He was the son of Jonathan Holcombe and Electa Clark. William Austin Holcombe married Louise Carr, daughter of Judge Levi T. Carr, on 31 December 1872 at Stockton, CA. William Austin Holcombe died on 30 April 1896 at San Francisco, San Francisco Co., CA, at age 63.

     Alonzo Holcombe was born on 23 March 1830 at North Hers, VT. He was the son of Jonathan Holcombe and Electa Clark. Alonzo Holcombe married Gulielma Way, daughter of Dr. H. A. Way, on 12 September 1850 at Jo Daviess Co., IL. Alonzo Holcombe lived at Dakota, Stephenson Co., IL.

From Portrait and Biographical Album of Stephenson Co., Ill. 1888

Alonzo was born in Grand Isle County, Vt. March 23, 1830. He was only 3 years old when his father and the family went to St. Lawrence Co., N.Y. where he was reared and educated. He was a sprightly boy, and his stock of resolution at that early day is shown by the fact that he and two brothers walked all the way to Jo Daviess County from Chicago, to which point he had come by water. The family first settled at Elizabeth, but subsequently Alonzo took up his home on the prairie, elsewhere in the state, where he sought to establish himself. He was married Sept. 12, 1850, to Miss Gulielma Way, the daughter of Dr. H. A. Way, a native of North Carolina. Also states that Alonzo now (1888) owns a farm of 200 acres in Rock Run Township, a good body of land in Jo Daviess Co., and Iowa and property in Dakota. Mr. and Mrs. Holcomb are prominent in their community, usually taking an active interest in social happenings and are generally esteemed. In politics, Mr. Holcomb is a stalwart Republican. His career has been somewhat varied, especially since he came to Stephenson County. He is now retired from active labor.


Alonzo and Julia were enumerated in the 1860 Rush, Joe Daviess Co., IL, federal census. He was a farmer age 30, she was 29. Children in the household were Narcissa 9, Willaim A. 7, Albert 5, and Emma 2.

     Clarinda Holcombe was born circa 1840 at NY. She was the daughter of Jonathan Holcombe and Electa Clark.

     Melinda Holcombe was born circa 1840 at NY. She was the daughter of Jonathan Holcombe and Electa Clark.

     Martha Adelaide Bates was born circa 1827. She was the daughter of Caleb Bates and Phoebe Holbrook. Martha Adelaide Bates married Asa Holcombe, son of Jonathan Holcombe and Electa Clark, circa 1844 at Jo Daviess Co., IL. Martha Adelaide Bates died circa 1847 at Jo Daviess Co., IL.

     Eleanor Jane Murdock was born on 22 January 1822. She married Asa Holcombe, son of Jonathan Holcombe and Electa Clark, on 5 June 1848. Eleanor Jane Murdock died on 30 March 1887 at El Paso, Woodford Co., IL, at age 65.

     Sarah Rebecca Dobler was born on 22 March 1851 at PA. She married William Henry Holcombe, son of Asa Holcombe and Martha Adelaide Bates, on 17 September 1868. Sarah Rebecca Dobler died on 7 November 1941 at age 90.

     Araminta Almeda Holcombe also went by the name of Mintie Holcombe. She was born on 25 April 1870 at LaSalle, IL. She was the daughter of William Henry Holcombe and Sarah Rebecca Dobler. Araminta Almeda Holcombe married Walter Warren Spitler on 11 September 1889 at Warren, IL.

     James Irving Holcombe was born on 1 May 1876 at LaSalle, IL. He was the son of William Henry Holcombe and Sarah Rebecca Dobler. James Irving Holcombe died in 1962.

President and owner of J.I. Holcomb Mfg. Co., Indianapolis, manufacturer and distributor of cleaning chemicals and brushes, employing about 300 people. President of Holcomb and Hoke Mgf. Co., Indianapolis, originators of Butterkist popcorn machines, made attractive enough for the finest stores and lobbies, also manufacturer of commercial refrigerators and fire-tender coal stokers. He was half owner of Continental Mfg. Co., maker of sweeping compounds. Director of the American National Bank, Indianapolis; President of the Indianapolic Lincoln Union for rebuilding the sanctuary around the grave of Nancy Hanks; commissioner of Department of Conservation of Ind; trustee of Butler University; active in stimulating 1st World War bond and community chest subscriptions.


He graduated from Warren, IL, High School in 1893; studied 3 years in the University of Michigan, entered business at Sullivan, Indiana with Fred Hoke as Holcomb and Hoke Mfg. Co. to make brushes.


As a young man he lived in New York City and there became an intimate friend of Dr. William Frederick Holcombe through whom he became a member of the New York Genealogical and Biographical Society, his admission being announced at the meeting Aug 13, 1900, as one of the three new members, the other two being William Whitney and John D. Rockefeller.


James, a member of the Board of Trustees of Butler University and his wife, gave $250,000 to the university for the construction of an observatory as a gift for the university's centennial celebration. The observatory was intended for public use and student learning. Initially the observatory was supposed to house a 24-inch telescope valued at $30,000 in 1953 dollars, but in October of 1953 a larger 38-inch mirror was available and Holcomb jumped at the chance to have the largest telescope in the state of Indiana and the ninth largest in the United States. This raised the cost of the telescope to $48,500 and the total project cost to $325,000. In October of 1954 the telescope was installed by J.W. Fecker, Inc. The telescope and assemblage was shipped to Indianapolis from Pittsburgh by truck. Installation of the telescope in the 50 foot high dome was done by crane (even today a crane must be used to get the 600 pound mirror from the dome to ground level for resurfacing every five years). Governor George N. Craig delivered the dedicatory address and Charles F. Kettering, vice president and director of General Motors Corporation, spoke at the dedication dinner on November 5th 1954, The observatory was placed on a high knoll on the north end of the Butler academic campus, adjacent to the woods of the Holcomb Gardens. The observatory is visible from 38th street and to motorist driving northward on Clarendon Road.


No children.

     Ethel Monetta Holcombe was born on 6 June 1879. She was the daughter of William Henry Holcombe and Sarah Rebecca Dobler.

     Secretary of Holcomb & Hoke Mfg. Co., and Treas. J. I. Holcomb Mfg. Co., both of Indianapolis. Raymond Asa Holcombe was born on 11 April 1886. He was the son of William Henry Holcombe and Sarah Rebecca Dobler.

     James Irving Holcombe II was born on 5 January 1915 at Cleveland, Cuyahoga Co., OH. He was the son of Raymond Asa Holcombe and Maude Merlin Jackson. James Irving Holcombe II died on 31 October 1933 at Indianapolis, Marion Co., IN, at age 18.

     Homer Alderman was born circa 1854 at OH.^1,2 He was the son of Warham Jarvis Alderman and Mary Alderman.¹

     Martha Electa Holcombe was born in December 1847 at Jo Daviess Co., IL. She was the daughter of Asa Holcombe and Martha Adelaide Bates. Martha Electa Holcombe married John Martin Moore, son of Martin Van Van Buren Moore and Mary McGill, on 10 February 1867 at Mendota, LaSalle Co., IL.² Martha Electa Holcombe died in February 1924 at age 76.

The attached photo is courtesy of Leland Moore. Standing Lt to Rt. Walter Asa Moore, Elida Mae Moore, Nettie Estelle Moore,
George S. Spangler. Seated Lt to Rt. Fred Donald Moore, Edith May Medders, standing in front of Edith with a dress on is Leland Donald Moore, Martha E. Holcomb, John Martin Moore.

     William Henry Holcombe was born in May 1826 at North Hers, VT. He was the son of Jonathan Holcombe and Electa Clark. William Henry Holcombe died at Storm Lake Township, Buena Vista Co., IA.

     John Martin Moore was born on 22 July 1830 at Rome Twp., Bradford Co., PA.¹ He was the son of Martin Van Van Buren Moore and Mary McGill.¹ John Martin Moore married Martha Electa Holcombe, daughter of Asa Holcombe and Martha Adelaide Bates, on 10 February 1867 at Mendota, LaSalle Co., IL.¹ John Martin Moore died on 5 April 1907 at home, south of Mt. Vernon, Jefferson Co., IL, at age 76.¹ He was buried at Arnold Cemetery, Dodds Twp., Jefferson Co., IL.¹

John's mother was related to Martin VanBuren.

Another source shows the marriage date to be 19 November 1867.

     Louise Carr was the daughter of Judge Levi T. Carr. Louise Carr married William Austin Holcombe, son of Jonathan Holcombe and Electa Clark, on 31 December 1872 at Stockton, CA. Louise Carr died in 1875 at Oakland, CA.

     Lulie Carr Holcombe was born at Oakland, CA. She was the daughter of William Austin Holcombe and Louise Carr.

     Lydia Susie Holcombe was the daughter of William Austin Holcombe and Louise Carr.

     Methodist, was a farmer recorded in the 1850 census of Chateaugay, Franklin Co., NY. Isaac Holcombe was born on 5 July 1821. He was the son of Amos Holcombe IV and Hannah (?) Isaac Holcombe married Hannah Griffin in 1844.

     Hannah Griffin married Isaac Holcombe, son of Amos Holcombe IV and Hannah (?), in 1844.

     James Holcombe was born at NY. He was the son of Isaac Holcombe and Hannah Griffin.

     Edwina Holcombe was the daughter of Isaac Holcombe and Hannah Griffin.

     Melvina Holcombe was born at NY. She was the daughter of Isaac Holcombe and Hannah Griffin.

     Matilda Holcombe was the daughter of Isaac Holcombe and Hannah Griffin.

     Methodist, farmer, Chateaugay, Franklin Co., NY. Andrew A. Holcombe was born on 12 September 1860 at NY. He was the son of Isaac Holcombe and Hannah Griffin. Andrew A. Holcombe married Elizabeth A. Parmeter.

Andrew and Elizabeth were enumerated in the 1920 Chateaugay, Franklin Co., NY, federal census. He was a farmer, age 59, she was 59. Children in the household were Lester 33 and his family, and Marion 21. Also in the family was brother-in-law William Parmeter, 60.

     Elizabeth A. Parmeter was born on 1 February 1860. She married Andrew A. Holcombe, son of Isaac Holcombe and Hannah Griffin.

     Lester E. Holcombe was born on 25 March 1886 at NY. He was the son of Andrew A. Holcombe and Elizabeth A. Parmeter. Lester E. Holcombe married Florence C. Cowan.

Lester and Florence were enumerated in the 1920 Chateaugay, Franklin Co., NY federal census in the household of his father Andrew. Lester was a farmer age 33, Florence was 29. Children listed were Edna 8, Howard 2 years 5 months, and Ruth 3 months.

     Served as a Capt. in France and in the Army of Occupation in Germany with 2nd Div. M.R.C. Became the City Physician of Lansing, Michigan. Howard Morton Holcombe was born on 18 December 1888 at NY. He was the son of Andrew A. Holcombe and Elizabeth A. Parmeter. Howard Morton Holcombe was graduated in 1915 at University of Michigan. He died on 5 March 1924 at Lansing, MI, at age 35.

     Marion L. Holcombe was born on 7 August 1898 at NY. She was the daughter of Andrew A. Holcombe and Elizabeth A. Parmeter.