Person Page - 305

     Dexter D. Holcombe was born on 9 April 1862 at Pelham, Ontario, Canada. He was the son of Norman Chandler Holcombe and Sarah Horton. Dexter D. Holcombe married Leafy Comfort, daughter of Dr. (?) Comfort, on 24 May 1883. Dexter D. Holcombe died on 1 November 1951 at age 89.

     David W. Horton was born on 8 December 1827. He was the son of Zaphaniah Horton and Abigail Thomas. David W. Horton married Susan Keturah Holcombe, daughter of Drayton Holcombe and Keturah Skinner. David W. Horton died in 1895.

     Paul P. Horton was the son of Zaphaniah Horton and Abigail Thomas. Paul P. Horton married Dorothy E. Holcombe, daughter of Drayton Holcombe and Keturah Skinner.

     Ruth Horton was born in 1843. She was the daughter of Zaphaniah Horton and Abigail Thomas. Ruth Horton married James C. Holcombe, son of Drayton Holcombe and Keturah Skinner. Ruth Horton died in 1920.

     Arthur Laws was born in August 1882. He was the son of Daniel Laws and Azile A. Holcombe.

     Mary Estella Holcombe was born on 14 February 1885 at Pelham, Ontario, Canada.² She was the daughter of Dexter D. Holcombe and Leafy Comfort. Mary Estella Holcombe married George Wesley Brown on 29 June 1907. Mary Estella Holcombe died on 17 March 1988 at Niagrara Falls at age 103.² She was buried at Lundy's Lane Cemetery, Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada.²

     William Harry Holcombe was born on 26 April 1893 at Welland, Ontario, Canada.² He was the son of Dexter D. Holcombe and Leafy Comfort.² William Harry Holcombe married Alice Trelford on 30 June 1923 at Welland, Ontario, Canada. William Harry Holcombe died in 1977.

     Sarah Pearl Holcombe was born on 26 November 1888 at Welland, Ontario, Canada. She was the daughter of Dexter D. Holcombe and Leafy Comfort. Sarah Pearl Holcombe died on 13 January 1910 at York, Ontario, Canada, at age 21.

     George Wesley Brown was born in 1882. He married Mary Estella Holcombe, daughter of Dexter D. Holcombe and Leafy Comfort, on 29 June 1907. George Wesley Brown died in 1962.

     Gladys Brown was born in 1913. She was the daughter of George Wesley Brown and Mary Estella Holcombe.

     Harry Brown was born in 1914. He was the son of George Wesley Brown and Mary Estella Holcombe.

     Marjory Brown was born in 1909. She was the daughter of George Wesley Brown and Mary Estella Holcombe.

     Dorothy May Brown was born in 1918. She was the daughter of George Wesley Brown and Mary Estella Holcombe.

     Alice Trelford was born on 15 March 1905 at Welland, Niagara, Ontario, Canada. She married William Harry Holcombe, son of Dexter D. Holcombe and Leafy Comfort, on 30 June 1923 at Welland, Ontario, Canada. Alice Trelford died in April 1959 at Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada, at age 54. She was buried at Lundy's Lane Cemetery, Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada.

     Charlotte Marie Holcombe was born on 11 August 1924 at Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada. She was the daughter of William Harry Holcombe and Alice Trelford. Charlotte Marie Holcombe married Jack Ray Long on 28 June 1948 at Drummond Hill Presbyterian Church, Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada.


From the Windsor (Ontario) Star, 10 Aug 1948:

Of interest to Windsor was the marriage in Drummond Hill Presbyterian church, Niagara Falls, of Miss Charlotte Marie Holcomb, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. W. H. Holcomb of Niagara Falls, to Mr. Jack Ray Long, son of Mr. and Mrs. Russell Long of Parent avenue.

Tall baskets of delphinium formed a beautiful setting for the ceremony, at which the Rev. K. G. McMillan officiated. Miss Paddy Lou Woodley sang "Because" prior to the ceremony and "At Dawning" during the signing of the register, accompanied by Mr. Alex Read at the organ.

Entering the chruch on the arm of her father, who gave her in marriage, the bride was gowned in traditional white satin, made with a portrait neckline outlined with puffed satin, long sleeves forming points over her hands and a long torso with a full skirt falling into a slight train. Her fingertip veil of illusion was held in place by a coronet of white roses, and her bouquet was of white roses and stephanotis.


Her sister, Miss Dorothy Holcomb, who was maid of honor, wore orchid pink satin with an off-shoulder effect and a narrow bertha, and small bustle. Miss Betty Long of Windsor, the bridegroom's sister, as bridesmaid, was similarly gowned in aquamarine satin, but with a peplum at the low waistline. They carried colonial bouquets of pink rosebuds and sweetpeas.

Mr. J. Ellis Liddy was the best man, and the ushers were Mr. E. E. Mitchelson and Mr. Bruce Johnson.

A reception for 65 guests was held at the Red Casque Inn after the ceremony. Mrs. Holcomb wore for her daughter's wedding a deep blue silk print dress with navy accessories. Mrs. Long chose a light blue crepe dress with touches of pink as trimming, and black accessories. Both wore corsages of pink rosebuds.

The bride's table was centred with the wedding cake flanked by orange blossoms and burning white tapers.



Mr. and Mrs. Long left later for a month's trip to Northern Ontario, the bride wearing for traveling a blue suit and corsage of gardenias. On their return, they will live at 1932 Barker street, Niagara Falls.


Charlotte and Jack lived in Niagara Falls, Ontario, until 1964 when they moved to London, Ontario.

     Dorothy May Holcombe was born on 24 May 1928 at Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada. She was the daughter of William Harry Holcombe and Alice Trelford. Dorothy May Holcombe married George Ross Phemister on 11 March 1950. Dorothy May Holcombe married John Jones. Dorothy May Holcombe died on 3 August 1979 at Victoria, British Columbia, Canada, at age 51.

     Frank Smith was the son of C. Frank Smith.

     Velma A. Horton was the daughter of David W. Horton and Susan Keturah Holcombe.

     William Lavern Horton was born on 23 March 1856. He was the son of David W. Horton and Susan Keturah Holcombe.

     Elvira A. Horton was born on 19 May 1855 at Ontario, Canada. She was the daughter of Paul P. Horton and Dorothy E. Holcombe.

     Drayton G. Horton was born on 5 February 1858 at Pelham Twp., Welland Co., Ontario, Canada. He was the son of Paul P. Horton and Dorothy E. Holcombe. Drayton G. Horton died on 14 May 1886 at age 28.

     Frank G. Horton was born on 6 August 1861 at Pelham Twp., Welland Co., Ontario, Canada. He was the son of Paul P. Horton and Dorothy E. Holcombe.

     Dexter D. Horton was born on 24 May 1863 at Pelham Twp., Welland Co., Ontario, Canada. He was the son of Paul P. Horton and Dorothy E. Holcombe.

     Calvin D. Horton was born on 7 September 1872 at Pelham Twp., Welland Co., Ontario, Canada. He was the son of Paul P. Horton and Dorothy E. Holcombe.

     Dorothy E. Horton was born at Pelham Twp., Welland Co., Ontario, Canada. She was the daughter of Paul P. Horton and Dorothy E. Holcombe. Dorothy E. Horton died on 28 June 1873.

     William LeVerne Holcombe was born on 31 May 1868 at Ontario, Canada. He was the son of James C. Holcombe and Ruth Horton. William LeVerne Holcombe married Mary Barry in 1894.

     Abbey Holcombe was born in May 1870. She was the daughter of James C. Holcombe and Ruth Horton. Abbey Holcombe died in 1871.

     Norman Chandler Holcombe II was born on 24 April 1872 at Ontario, Canada. He was the son of James C. Holcombe and Ruth Horton. Norman Chandler Holcombe II married Clara Louise Maneer, daughter of Stephen Roberts Maneer and Elizabeth Sneath, on 4 October 1898.

     Mary Barry married William LeVerne Holcombe, son of James C. Holcombe and Ruth Horton, in 1894. Mary Barry died in 1914.

     McPherson indicates that John married and had one child. John C. Holcombe was born on 2 August 1896. He was the son of William LeVerne Holcombe and Mary Barry.

     Dr. William LeVerne Holcombe was born on 17 August 1900 at Buffalo, Erie Co., NY.^2,3 He was the son of William LeVerne Holcombe and Mary Barry. Dr. William LeVerne Holcombe married Josephine Banchetti on 2 December 1933. Dr. William LeVerne Holcombe lived in 1947 at 353 Elmwood Ave, Buffalo, Erie Co., NY. He died in December 1967 at Buffalo, Erie Co., NY, at age 67.²

There may be some confusion; McPherson refers the reader to A-8-1-10-5-2-11-2-1, page 189, to a LaVern Hollister Holcombe.


When William completed his application for a social security number on 7 March 1957, he was self-employed and living at 86 Hodge Ave., Buffalo, NY.

     Josephine Banchetti was born on 6 August 1905 at Buffalo, Erie Co., NY. She married Dr. William LeVerne Holcombe, son of William LeVerne Holcombe and Mary Barry, on 2 December 1933.

     William LeVerne Holcombe was born on 16 September 1934 at Buffalo, Erie Co., NY. He was the son of Dr. William LeVerne Holcombe and Josephine Banchetti. William LeVerne Holcombe married Susan P. Formhals on 3 October 1959. William LeVerne Holcombe died on 13 March 2020 at Kenmore, NY, at age 85.

From The Buffalo News, 13 March 2020:

William L. Holcomb was well-known as a labor negotiator who worked with many local governments throughout the region.

But he also did extensive volunteer work, for the most part behind the scenes.

"He traveled in big circles, but he did a lot of low-key things, under the radar, that really had an impact on the community," said his son, Joseph Holcomb.

Mr. Holcomb, 85, of Kenmore, died March 6, 2020, at home with assistance from Hospice Buffalo. He had suffered a stroke three weeks earlier.

When Mr. Holcomb became involved with the local chapter of the American Red Cross, his son said, its headquarters was badly in need of repair. "He raised a lot of the money to save that building on Delaware Avenue," his son said.

The local Red Cross gave Mr. Holcomb its highest award, the Clara Barton Award.

Born in Buffalo on Sept. 16, 1934, he was the first child of William L. and Josephine Holcomb.

Mr. Holcomb was a member of the Class of 1952 at Canisius High School, where he was a class officer for two years and played football, basketball and baseball. He earned a bachelor's degree in 1956 from Canisius College, where he majored in English literature.

After participating in ROTC during his college years, Mr. Holcomb entered the Army Reserve in 1956 and rose to the rank of colonel. He graduated from U.S. Army Command and General Staff College and received the Meritorious Service Medal, before retiring in 1994.

On Oct. 3, 1959, he and Susan Formhals married in Christ the King Roman Catholic Church in Snyder.

To his family and friends, Mr. Holcomb was a warm and devoted person, said his daughter, Mary Kathleen Hale. "He loved his friends – it was visible in all the lifelong friendships he fostered (some spanning 75 years) and his beloved supper club," she said. "He loved people – Bill Holcomb was one social guy. His smile, firm handshake and friendly demeanor always drew people to him. He loved to talk. He loved his family dearly."

From 1970 to 1974, Mr. Holcomb was director of labor relations for the City of Buffalo under Mayor Sedita.

In 1974, he formed William L. Holcomb Associates, which he operated in Snyder until 2012. "He was well-known for fairness, his knowledge of the law, and helped to grow companies and streamline governments throughout New York," Joseph Holcomb said.

Mr. Holcomb worked as director of operations at Western Regional Off-Track Betting Corporation from 1974 to 1977; coordinator of labor management programs for the New York State School of Industrial and Labor Relations at Cornell University from 1977 to 1982; vice president of human resources at Greater Buffalo Press from 1983 to 1988; and director of human resources for the Erie County Water Authority from 1990 to 1996.

He was an instructor in labor relations/human resources management at Canisius College from 1971 to 1975 and 1990 to 1996; at Niagara University from 1975 to 1977; and at the State University of New York at Buffalo from 1988 to 1991.

Mr. Holcomb was past president of the state Public Employer Labor Relations Association and the Buffalo Executives Association. He was a charter member, former board member and vice president of the National Public Employer Labor Relations Association and a charter member of the Organization of Public Employer Negotiators.

He was a former board member of the Printing Industry of Western New York and belonged to the U.S. Army Reserve Officers Association, the U.S. Army Armor Association and the Labor Employer Relations Association.

Mr. Holcomb served as chair of the Northeast Region of the American Red Cross and of the board of directors of the American Red Cross' Greater Buffalo Chapter. He served on the board of the Kenmore-Tonawanda Chamber of Commerce and the St. Vincent de Paul Society and was president of the Professional Businessmen's Association.

Mr. Holcomb was general chairman of the 1982 Catholic Charities Appeal, on the board of Our Lady of Victory Infant Home, past president of the Canisius College Alumni Association and a member emeritus of the Canisius College Board of Regents and the Kenmore Mercy Hospital Foundation Board of Directors.

Mr. Holcomb received the LaSalle Medal from Canisius College, was named to the Distinguished Alumni Hall of Honor at Canisius High School and to the Class of 1952 Leadership Hall of Fame. He was named the 2010 Citizen of the Year of the National Public Employer Labor Relations Association and received the group's Labor Employer Relations Association Presidents Award.

Since 2003, the William L. Holcomb Award for Public Service in Labor Relations is awarded annually to a member of the association.

Mr. Holcomb's wife died on Feb. 4, 2018.

He is survived by his sons, William L. Holcomb III and Joseph M. Holcomb; a daughter, Mary Kathleen Hale; brother Peter Holcomb; and three grandchildren.

A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated March 9 in St. John the Baptist Church in Kenmore.