Person Page - 236

     Laura Phoebe Perkins was born on 12 August 1890 at Suffield, Hartford Co., CT. She was the daughter of James Ethelbert Perkins and Addie Sophia Easton. Laura Phoebe Perkins married Henry Lewis Holcombe, son of Walter Burnside Holcombe and Jennie Mary Herrick, on 24 June 1914 at Warehouse Point, CT.¹ Laura Phoebe Perkins died on 2 February 1976 at Windsor, Hartford Co., CT, at age 85. She was buried at West Suffield Cemetery, West Suffield, Hartford Co., CT.²

     Normand Perkins Holcombe was born on 21 August 1917 at Warehouse Point, CT.² He was the son of Henry Lewis Holcombe and Laura Phoebe Perkins. Normand Perkins Holcombe married Dorothy May Mason, daughter of George Luman Mason and Mary E. Snow, on 10 October 1940 at Warehouse Point, CT. Normand Perkins Holcombe died on 3 July 2009 at Kimberly Hall, Windsor, Hartford Co., CT, at age 91.^3,2 He was buried on 6 July 2009 at Springdale Cemetery, East Windsor, Hartford Co., CT.⁴

Normand is a retired mechanical engineer, who worked for American Bosch and Teleco Oilfield Services. He lives at 43 Spring Street, Warehouse Point, Connecticut. Normant provided a few minor corrections to Seth's book in a letter dated Jan 10, 1998.

From the Courant:

Normand P. Holcomb, 91, of the Warehouse Point section of East Windsor, husband of the late Dorothy (Mason) Holcomb, died Friday, (July 3, 2009) at Kimberly Hall. Normand was born in Warehouse Point and was a life-long resident. In his youth he was an Eagle Scout and went on to earn a degree in Mechanical Engineering from Northeastern Univ. Normand had been employed at Colt's, Springfield Armory, Kaman Aircraft, and Teleco where he was awarded a patent. A longtime member of the Wesley United Methodist Church in Warehouse Point, Normand served on a variety of committees; his strongest mission being the Board of Trustees, where he worked to care for the church and other buildings. Normand is survived by a daughter, Cynthia Rothwell; a son, James Holcomb; a sister, Lois Lord; four grandchildren, Jim, Jay, Christopher and Jeremy; and six great-grandchildren. A funeral service will be held on Monday, July 6 at 11 a.m. at the Wesley United Methodist Church, East Windsor. Burial will follow in Springdale Cemetery. There will be a calling hour, at the church, from 10-11 a.m. prior to the service. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Wesley United Methodist Church, 55 North Main St., East Windsor, CT 06088. The Bassinger & Dowd Funeral Home, 37 Gardner St., East Windsor has care of arrangements.

     Arthur Wilbur Lord was born on 10 August 1908 at East Windsor, Hartford Co., CT. He was the son of Leon Henry Lord and Arvilla Griswold. Arthur Wilbur Lord died on 2 April 1962 at Springfield, Hampden Co., MA, at age 53. He was buried at Springdale Cemetery, East Windsor, Hartford Co., CT.

     Minnie Cristina Messenger was born on 28 December 1889 at Canton, Hartford Co., CT. She was the daughter of Scott Wesley Messenger and Sarah Jane Teeter. Minnie Cristina Messenger married Harry Parks Holcombe, son of Walter Burnside Holcombe and Jennie Mary Herrick, on 8 July 1912. Minnie Cristina Messenger died on 27 August 1957 at Marlboro, VT, at age 67.

     Parks was employed in the wholesale and retail nursery business at Colebrook, continuing the Holcomb Evergreen Nursery founded in 1927 by his parents. He was interested in plants and antiques; outdoor activities;hunting and fishing; he started Forge Fire Co., in Robertsville section of Colebrook. Parks Benajah Holcombe was born on 4 April 1914 at Simsbury, Hartford Co., CT.² He was the son of Harry Parks Holcombe and Minnie Cristina Messenger. Parks Benajah Holcombe died on 4 January 1993 at Colebrook, Litchfield Co., CT, at age 78.² He was buried at Pine Grove Cemetery, New Hartford, Litchfield Co., CT.

     Merritt Herrick Holcombe was born on 25 July 1917 at Enfield, CT.² He was the son of Harry Parks Holcombe and Minnie Cristina Messenger. Merritt Herrick Holcombe married Mary Anne Newell, daughter of Michael Newell and Marie H. Fricke, on 14 September 1936 at Millerton, NY. Merritt Herrick Holcombe died on 12 October 2008 at Guildhall, Essex Co., VT, at age 91.²

Merritt is in the plumbing and heating business, licensed in Vermont and New Hampshire for 40 years; he also has farmed - both dairy and beef cattle; former member of the Town Planning Board and former Town Lister. For over 30 years Deputy Sheriff and High Baliff for Essex county, Vermont. He also belongs to the American Legion and is a World War II veteran, having seen action in Japan and the Philippines. While living in Connecticut he played a major role in organizing the Robertsville Volunteer Fire Department and served as an auxiliary State Trooper for the State of Connecticut.

Mrs. Holcomb is a former town Auditor, Town Service Officer and former Town Planning Board member; she enjoys "Terrier" breeds of dogs, flower gardening, sewing and cooking; compiled Guildhall cook Book in 1975 and bookkeeper for her husband's business; former telephone operator and medical secretary. They live in Guildhall, VT.

     Emerson Wells Holcombe was born on 3 July 1920 at Colebrook, Litchfield Co., CT.² He was the son of Harry Parks Holcombe and Minnie Cristina Messenger. Emerson Wells Holcombe married Beatrice Mabel Goodenough, daughter of Raymond Goodenough and Mabel Apley, on 20 June 1943 at Winsted, Litchfield Co., CT. Emerson Wells Holcombe died on 11 February 2002 at Granville, Hampden Co., MA, at age 81.² He was buried at Pine Grove Cemetery, New Hartford, Litchfield Co., CT.³

Resided at 66 Taylor Road, Winsted CT, retired Nurseryman.

     Beatrice Mabel Goodenough was born on 17 March 1923 at Winsted, Litchfield Co., CT. She was the daughter of Raymond Goodenough and Mabel Apley. Beatrice Mabel Goodenough married Emerson Wells Holcombe, son of Harry Parks Holcombe and Minnie Cristina Messenger, on 20 June 1943 at Winsted, Litchfield Co., CT. Beatrice Mabel Goodenough died on 5 June 1995 at Hartford, Hartford Co., CT, at age 72. She was buried at Pine Grove Cemetery, New Hartford, Litchfield Co., CT.¹

From the Hartford Courant, 7 Jun 1995

HOLCOMB. Beatrice M. Holcomb, 72, of 66 Taylor Road, Barkham sted, died Monday (June 5) at Hartford Hospital. She was the wife of Emerson Holcomb. Born March 17, 1923, in Winsted, she was a daughter of the late Raymond and Mabel (Apley) Goodenough. Prior to her retirement, the Holcombs owned and operated the Molly Stark Nursery, West Brattleboro, Vt., for 25 years. They had also lived in northern Vermont for ten years before returning to Connecticut after retirement. She was a member o f the Vermont Plantsman for 25 years, the West Brattleboro First Congregational Church, was a graduate of the Gilbert School, Winsted, and Bay Path College, Longmeadow, Mass. In addition to her husband, she is survived by a brother, Robert Goodenough o f Harwinton; two sisters, Eleanor Bleakley of Colebrook, and Vera Hatfield of New Hartford; several nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be Thursday, 11 a.m., at the Church of Christ, 800 Main St., Winsted, with the Rev. Lois Sundeen officiating. B urial will follow in Pine Grove Cemetery, New Hartford. Friends may call Thursday, 9:30- 10:30 a.m., at the Maloney Funeral Home, 55 Walnut St., Winsted. Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society, 8 Church St., Torrington 06790.

     Sarah Jane Holcombe was born on 17 April 1922 at Barkhamsted, Litchfield Co., CT. She was the daughter of Harry Parks Holcombe and Minnie Cristina Messenger. Sarah Jane Holcombe married John G. Ennis. Sarah Jane Holcombe died on 2 June 1993 at Agawam, MA, at age 71. She was buried at Pine Grove Cemetery, New Hartford, Litchfield Co., CT.

     John G. Ennis married Sarah Jane Holcombe, daughter of Harry Parks Holcombe and Minnie Cristina Messenger. John G. Ennis died in 1985.

     Hellen lives in South Newfane, Vt. David Knox Holcombe was born on 12 December 1923 at Hartland, Hartford Co., CT. He was the son of Harry Parks Holcombe and Minnie Cristina Messenger. David Knox Holcombe died on 13 February 1988 at Brattleboro, Windham Co., VT, at age 64. He was buried at South Newfane, VT.

     General Frederick Dent Grant was born on 30 May 1850 at White Haven, St. Louis, MO. He was the son of President Ulysses Simpson Grant and Julia Boggs Dent. General Frederick Dent Grant died on 12 April 1912 at New York City, NY, at age 61. He was buried at West Point, Orange Co., NY.

From Report of the Sixth Reunion of the Grant Family Association at the Breevort House, Manhattan, New York City, Feburary 27, 1914, ed. by Frank Grant and Elihu Grant (Westfield, Mass.: n. p., 1914), pp. 26-29.

Frederick Dent Grant

Frederick Dent Grant, soldier and U. S. minister, was born in St. Louis, Mo., May 30, 1850, son of Ulysses S. and Julia (Dent) grant. His father was the eighteenth president of the United States.

His early days were passed in the military posts of Fort Wayne, Mich., Sackett's Harbor, N. Y., and near Jefferson Barracks, Mo., where his father was stationed. After the latter's resignation from the army, the family lived in St. Louis, Mo., and Galena, Ill., and young Grant attended the common schools of the latter town until the outbreak of the civil war. He accompanied the 21st Ill. volunteer infantry, of which his father was colonel, in its march across that state to relieve the troops in northern Missouri, then threatened by a Confederate force under Benjamin Harris. When the regiment reached Quincy, Col. Grant sent the boy home, but he rejoined his father at Cairo, after the battle of Belmont and stayed with him until the campaign of Forts Henry and Donelson. At the commencement of the march to Fort Donelson, he was sent to school at Covington, where he remained until the fall of Corinth. In the spring of 1863, he rejoined Gen. Grant at Young's Point, La., and accompanied him in the Vicksburg campaign, where he was for the first time under fire. He was on the same boat with his father during the naval battle of Grand Gulf. In the battle of Port Gibson, he was in action with Powell's battery, being slightly wounded, and later accompanied the 7th Ill. in the advance that drove the enemy from the field. Subsequently he took part in the skirmishes of the Suspension Bridge, Bayou Pierre, and Grindstone Fork, and the battle of Raymond. He was with Tuttle's division in the assault on Jackson and was led by curiosity to enter the city in advance of the Federal troops and before the Confederate force had evacuated the place. In later years, he was accustomed to refer humorously to what he called his single-handed capture of Jackson. After the surrender of the Mississippi capital, he remained with his father until the battle of Champion's Hill and subsequently took part in the charge of Lawler's brigade at Black River bridge, where he was wounded in the leg. He was with his father during the siege of Vicksburg, and after the evacuation of the city was sent North on account of illness. During the whole Vicksburg campaign, he had served unofficially on his father's staff and his conduct, in view of his extreme youth, was remarkably cool and courageous. On recovering from his illness, he joined his father at Nashville, Tenn., and accompanied him to Washington, when the elder Grant was commissioned lieutenant-general by Lincoln. His health would not permit him to take part in the Wilderness campaign, so he attended school at Burlington, N. J., until 1866, when he was appointed at-large to the West Point Military Academy. Upon being graduated in 1871, he waived the usual privilege accorded to graduates of naming the regiments they prefer lest the granting of his request might be attributed to influence. But he was one of the most expert horsemen that ever attended West Point, and for that reason he was appointed to the cavalry and assigned to the Fourth regiment.

After his graduation, he obtained leave of absence and accepted a position as civil engineer on the Union Pacific Railway, in which capacity he assisted in various surveys across the continent and in the construction of part of the Colorado Central road in Clear Creek canyon. In the fall of 1871, he went to Europe as aide-de-camp to Gen. Sherman, and on his return, joined his regiment in Texas. During the winter of 1872 and 1873, he commanded the escort of the surveying parties on the Texas Pacific road across the Llano Estacado. In March, 1873, he was appointed to the staff of Gen. Phil Sheridan, with the rank of lieutenant-colonel, and in the same year was with Gen. Stanley on the Yellowstone expedition. In the following year, he was with Custer on the Black Hills expedition. Obtaining a leave of absence in 1877, he accompanied his father on his memorable trip around the world, and after his return, served in the Bannock Indian War of 1878, and on the various expeditions, on one of which he followe an unknown date Victoria's Apache band for 500 miles into New Mexico. In 1881, he resigned his commission and started in business in New York.

During the last days of the life of Gen. U. S. Grant, his son, Fred, was his constant companion and aided in the compilation and preparation of his autobiography. After his father's death, he re-entered business and became identified with a number of important financial interests. In 1888, he was appointed by Pres. Harrison, minister to Austria, where his success in securing the admission of American products and in protecting American citizens from military duty won for him the highest commendation, and on Cleveland's election to the presidency, he was informed that, unless he insisted, his resignation would not be accepted. He did insist, however, and returned to the United States in 1893. In the following year, he became one of the police commissioners of New York under Mayor Strong's reform administration. When the war with Spain began, he became colonel of the 14th N. Y. volunteers, and on May 27, 1898, was appointed brigadier-general of the United States volunteers. He was honorably discharged on April 15, 1899, and on the same day was re-appointed brigadier-general of volunteers. During the war, he served for a year in Puerto Rico and after the war, he commanded the military district of San Juan. He commanded the 2nd brigade, 1st division, 8th army corps in the Philippine Islands from April to November, 1899. He commanded the troops that found the battles of Big Ben and Binancian. In 1899, he was transferred to the 2nd brigade, 2nd division for the advance into Northern Luzon and covered the flanks and rear of MacArthur's division. Later he was detached to invade the provinces of Batan and Zambilles, which he accomplished after a number of heavy skirmishes. In June, 1900, he was assigned to the command of the 5th district, Northern Luzon, and for the following year was engaged in the severe guerilla warfare, which included the battles of Balahad and Ipo and a number of more or less serious skirmishes. On Feb. 18, 1901, he was commissioned a brigadier-general in the regular army. He was transferred to the command of the 4th separate brigade, Samar and Leyte, in October, 1901, and received the surrender of the last of the insurgents. He was responsible for the subsequent establishment of civil government in those provinces and in this connection showed diplomacy and constructive statesmanship of the highest order and called forth the warm commendation of many of the most prominent men of affairs in the United States.

He commanded the Department of Texas, 1902-4; the department of the Lakes, in which he had served under Sheridan, July to September, 1904; the department of the East, 1904-8, being promoted to the rank of major-general in February, 1906; the department of the Lakes again, 1908-10; the department of the East, July 25, 1910, to July 1, 1911; and the eastern division, which embraces the department of the East and the department of the Gulf from its establishment on July 1, 1911; and the eastern division, which embraces the department of the East and the department of the Gulf from its establishment on July 1, 1911, until his death. It was inevitable that Gen. Grant's career should fall under the shadow of his father's reputation. The elder Grant was one of the big figures of this country's history, ranking with the greatest military leaders of all time. That his son should be subjected to the handicap of a constant comparison is natural enough, and that he stood the comparison so well is perhaps the best compliment that could be paid him. But the comparison was, of course, unfair, for even allowing that Frederick Dent Grant possessed his father's genius, he was never confronted with the same big trial and the same big opportunity. Indian fighting and a war, whose result was a foregone conclusion from the beginning, were the extent of his opportunities, and he acquitted himself as brilliantly as the limitations of those opportunities allowed. It required a big test to bring out the great qualities of his father, a similar test that never applied to the son. That under such a test he would have shown equal powers is quite probable. He was a born soldier, with an innate capacity for leadership and a rare faculty of inspiring confidence and affection in his men. His resemblance to his father was so striking in all other respects, both in character and physique, as to intrude itself inevitably on every description of him. A prominent New York business man said of him several years before his death, "What seems to me the best trait in the man is his honest courage and persistency in facing any kind of circumstances without allowing himself to be disheartened. I have known him over twenty years, and the more I see of him, the better I like him." He was married in Chicago, Ill., Oct. 20, 1874, to Ida M., daughter of Henry Hamilton Honore (q. v.), and had two children; Julia, who married Prince Cantacuzene, of Russia, and Ulysses S. Grant, 3d, who is a captain in the Corps of Engineers of the U. S. army. Gen. Grant died in New York City, April 12, 1912.

     Dorothy Louise Shaw was born on 1 February 1911 at Simsbury, Hartford Co., CT.^1,2 She was the daughter of Arthur R. Shaw and Louise Pecan. Dorothy Louise Shaw married Ward Gates Holcombe, son of Edmund Alfred Holcombe and Florence Sara Gates, on 30 October 1937 at Simsbury, Hartford Co., CT. Dorothy Louise Shaw was buried at Simsbury Cemetery, Simsbury, Hartford Co., CT.³ She died on 7 November 1995 at Simsbury, Hartford Co., CT, at age 84.^1,2
The Courant November 9, 1995:

HOLCOMB. Dorothy (Shaw) Holcomb, of Hartford Road, Simsbury, wife of the
late Ward G. Holcomb, died Tuesday (Nov. 7, 1995) at McLean Home, Simsbury. She was born Feb. 1, 1911, in Simsbury, daughter of the late Arthur R. and Louise (Pecan) Shaw, and lived there all her life. She was a member of the Abigail Phelps Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution, Simsbury Historical Society, Hesper Chapter Order of the Eastern Star, Simsbury United Methodist Church, the Seniors of Simsbury, and the Farmington Valley AARP. She is survived by a daughter, Suzanne Alexander of Simsbury; three grandchildren, Kimberly Coons Meyer of Conway, SC, Jon P. Coons of Simsbury, and Kelly Coons of Simsbury; and a sister-in-law, Mrs. Elmer Shaw. Mrs. Holcomb was predeceased by a daughter, Gail Holcomb; and a brother, Elmer G. Shaw. A memorial funeral service will be Sunday, 3 p.m., at the Simsbury United Methodist Church, with the Rev. Dr. M. Lawrence Snow officiating. Burial will be at the convenience of the family. There are no calling hours. Vincent Funeral Home, 880 Hopmeadow St., Simsbury, has charge of arrangements. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the American Cancer Society, 670 Prospect Ave., Hartford 06105, the Simsbury Volunteer Ambulance Association, P.O. Box 301, Simsbury 06070, or the Simsbury United Methodist Church, 799 Hopmeadow St., Simsbury 06070.

     Gail Dorothy Holcombe was born on 11 December 1943 at Hartford, Hartford Co., CT. She was the daughter of Ward Gates Holcombe and Dorothy Louise Shaw. Gail Dorothy Holcombe died on 27 April 1957 at Simsbury, Hartford Co., CT, at age 13. She was buried at Center Cemetery, Simsbury, Hartford Co., CT.

     Dagmar Backman was born on 2 January 1919 at Hartford, Hartford Co., CT. She was the daughter of Ernest Backman and Ina Lakso. Dagmar Backman married Edmund Joseph Holcombe, son of Edmund Alfred Holcombe and Florence Sara Gates, on 4 April 1942 at Congregational Church, Simsbury, Hartford Co., CT. Dagmar Backman died on 5 January 2013 at State College, PA, at age 94. She was buried on 11 January 2013 at Simsbury Cemetery, Simsbury, Hartford Co., CT.¹

From the Hartford Courant, 9 January 2013:

Dagmar Backman Holcomb, 94, of State College, PA, died Saturday, (January 5, 2013) at the Fairways at Brookline Village, State College, PA. Born January 2, 1919, in Hartford, CT, she was the third child of the late Ernest and Ina Lakso Backman. On April 4, 1942 she married Edmund Joseph Holcomb, who preceded her in death on January 7, 2001. She is survived by two children, Edmund Jay Holcomb and his wife, Brenda, of Wrightsville, PA, Eloise Henault and her husband, Robert, of Delhi, New York, a brother-in-law, Leland Holcomb, of Simsbury, CT, four grandchildren and two great -grandchildren. Along with her husband she was predeceased by her two sisters and one brother. She lived in Burlington, CT during her childhood and graduated from Canton High School. She worked at Connecticut General Life Insurance Co. before marrying Edmund Joseph Holcomb on April 4, 1942. They lived on the family farm in Weatogue, Ct until they retired to State College in 1995. She was a member and past matron of Hesper Chapter O.E.S. and an advisor to Simsbury Assembly #38 Rainbow Girls.

Graveside service and burial will be 1 p.m., Friday, January 11, 2013, at Simsbury Cemetery, Simsbury, CT with the Rev. Jonathan Morgan officiating. Memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimer's Association, Greater Pennsylvania Chapter, 3544 N. Progress Avenue #205, Harrisburg, PA 17110. Or Home Nursing Agency, P.O. Box 352, Altoona, PA 16603. Arrangements are under the care of Koch Funeral Home, State College, PA. Online condolences and signing of the guest book may be entered at www.kochfuneralhome.com.

     Mary Hubbard Wolf was born on 13 July 1917 at Raleigh, Wake Co., NC. She was the daughter of Dr. Frederick Wolf and Wynette (?) Mary Hubbard Wolf married Leland Gavette Holcombe, son of Edmund Alfred Holcombe and Florence Sara Gates, on 10 September 1946 at Durham, NC. Mary Hubbard Wolf died on 29 October 2005 at Weatogue, CT, at age 88.

from the Hartford Courant on 31 October 2005:

Mary Wolf Holcomb, 88, of Weatogue, passed away Saturday, (October 29, 2005). Beloved wife of Leland G. Holcomb, born in Raleigh, NC, July 15, 1917, the daughter of the late Dr. and Mrs. Frederick A. Wolf of Durham, NC, she was predeceased by her brother Dr. Frederick T. Wolf. She is survived by a sister-in-law Virginia Wolf of Nashville, TN, and two sons Warren Holcomb of Milford, and Leland Dana Holcomb of Athens, GA, as well as several grandchildren and a great-grandchild, all of whom she dearly loved. She was a graduate of Mt. Holyoke and Duke University, worked on Medical research at Chapel Hill and Massachusetts Memorial Hospital in Boston, she later worked at Mt. Sinai Hospital in Hartford. She enjoyed reading, traveling, needlework, cooking and visiting her children and grandchildren. Mary was a longtime volunteer at the Simsbury Public Library, the Simsbury Historical Society and the Blood Bank. Mary enjoyed life and had many close friends. A memorial service will be held on November 12, at 2:30 p.m. at the First Church of Christ, Simsbury. Interment will be private. There will be no calling hours. Arrangements with Vincent's Funeral Home, Hopmeadow St., Simsbury. Memorial contributions may be made to the Simsbury Public Library, The McLean Home or to a charity of the donor's choice.

     Dr. Frederick Wolf married Wynette (?)

     Wynette (?) married Dr. Frederick Wolf.