Person Page - 1104

     Emory Darius Morris was born on 9 September 1870 at Spencer, Clay Co., IA. He was the son of Albert Augustus Morris and Mary Elizabeth Delancey.¹ Emory Darius Morris married Laura Pearl Holcombe, daughter of Andrew S. Holcombe and Merribah Day Baker, on 10 November 1897.¹ Emory Darius Morris was buried on 19 June 1939 at Oakwood Memorial Park, Chatsworth, CA. He died on 25 June 1939 at North Hollywood, Los Angeles Co., CA, at age 68.

     Laura Ellen Morris was born on 14 February 1899 at Coggon, Linn Co., IA.¹ She was the daughter of Emory Darius Morris and Laura Pearl Holcombe.¹ Laura Ellen Morris died on 26 April 1923 at age 24.¹

     Albert Andrew Morris was born on 11 August 1901 at Coggon, Linn Co., IA.¹ He was the son of Emory Darius Morris and Laura Pearl Holcombe.¹ Albert Andrew Morris married Ruth Beatrice Rouse on 4 March 1930.¹ Albert Andrew Morris died on 14 April 1982 at Chatsworth, Los Angeles Co., CA, at age 80.² He was buried on 17 April 1982 at Oakwood Memorial Park, Chatsworth, Los Angeles Co., CA.

     Ruth Beatrice Rouse was born on 18 December 1909 at Grand Rapids, Kent Co., MI. She married Albert Andrew Morris, son of Emory Darius Morris and Laura Pearl Holcombe, on 4 March 1930.¹ Ruth Beatrice Rouse died on 7 January 1979 at Chatsworth, Los Angeles Co., CA, at age 69. She was buried on 11 January 1979 at Oakwood Memorial Park, Chatsworth, Los Angeles Co., CA.

     George Emory Morris was born on 13 October 1915 at MN.¹ He was the son of Emory Darius Morris and Laura Pearl Holcombe.¹ George Emory Morris died on 25 March 1996 at Los Angeles, Los Angeles Co., CA, at age 80.²

     Darwin Hinkley Holcombe was born on 16 May 1852 at La Salle Co., IL.¹ He was the son of Harvey Holcombe and Tryphena Lawless.¹ Darwin Hinkley Holcombe married Louisa Jane Livingstone, daughter of Alexander Livingstone and Sara Jane Graham, on 7 October 1880 at Sand Springs, IA.¹ Darwin Hinkley Holcombe died on 28 April 1941 at age 88.¹ He was buried at Coggon Cemetery, Coggon, Linn Co., IA.¹

Darwin and Louisa began their married life near Hopkinton where Darwin was a farmer. They lived there about for years during which time their first two children were born. About 1884 they moved to Plankinton in Dakota Territory, where they lived on a claim. This was shortly before the territory was divided into the north and south parts, which became states in 1889. Their third child was born there. Family records show this child died at Hopkinton so their sojourn in Dakota was only about two years. We have wondered if they returned because the child was ill, or if the crops were poor or if they just got homesick.

The family moved to Coggon, IA, in 1890 where Darwin began to pursue the trade of carpentry. The railroad had just been built through Coggon in 1887 and the town was growing. Many new houses were needed. Soon afterward Darwin's brother Andrew also moved to Coggon and became a carpenter. Andrew and his family left Coggon before 1900, but Darwin and Louisa remained there the rest of their lives. The last house Darwin built for his own use and where they lived for many years is now numbered 101 East Linn Street.¹

Darwin and Louisa were enumerated in the 1900 Coggon, Jackson Twp., Linn Co., IA, federal census, page 3B. They were living on Second Street. Darwin was 48, Louisa was 45. Children in the household were Linford, age 18, Laurena 16, Bernice 7, and Shirley 5. The census indicates that Louisa had six children, 4 living.

Darwin and Louisa were again enumerated on Second Street in the 1910 census. He was a carpenter, 57, she was 55. Children in the household were Bernice 17, and Shirley 15.

Darwin and Louisa were enumerated in the 1920 Coggon census, this time on First Street. He was a carpenter, age 67, she was 64. Children in the household were Shirley 24, and Laurena, a high school teacher, age 36.

     Louisa Jane Livingstone was born on 6 March 1855 at near Hopkinton, IA.¹ She was the daughter of Alexander Livingstone and Sara Jane Graham.¹ Louisa Jane Livingstone married Darwin Hinkley Holcombe, son of Harvey Holcombe and Tryphena Lawless, on 7 October 1880 at Sand Springs, IA.¹ Louisa Jane Livingstone died on 19 November 1939 at age 84.¹ She was buried at Coggon Cemetery, Coggon, Linn Co., IA.¹

     Linford Darwin Holcombe was born on 18 August 1881 at Hopkinton, Delaware Co., IA.¹ He was the son of Darwin Hinkley Holcombe and Louisa Jane Livingstone.¹ Linford Darwin Holcombe married Sophie Ehrhorn on 5 January 1908.¹ Linford Darwin Holcombe died on 12 April 1949 at Bloomfield, Essex Co., NJ, at age 67.¹ He was buried at Glendale Cemetery, Hopkinton, Essex Co., NJ.¹

Linford grew up in Coggon, where he could watch the Illinois Central trains go through town several times a day. Perhaps that is why he became a railroad man himself. This occupation led him to the east coast where he and his family lived many years at Newark, NJ. He became a conductor.

Having relatives in a city in the east was special for those of us who lived in the Midwest. Each Christmas a large package would arrive with gifts for all. It was also very interesting to have them come to visit. They always took lots of pictures of farm scenes. They were in Iowa in 1921 and 1930.

Linford was a member of the Masonic Lodge and a Railroad Brotherhood.

It is believed Sophie and her first husband had been divorced. Her daughter Marie Warnkin was nearly nine years old at the time of this marriage. Marie must have used the Holcombe name until she was married because her brother was quite upset many years later to learn that no one had told him she was not his full sister.¹

     Sophie Ehrhorn was born on 7 October 1876.¹ She married Linford Darwin Holcombe, son of Darwin Hinkley Holcombe and Louisa Jane Livingstone, on 5 January 1908.¹

     Marie Warnkin was born on 20 January 1899.¹ She was the daughter of Linford Darwin Holcombe and Sophie Ehrhorn.¹ Marie Warnkin died on 20 December 1988 at age 89.¹ She was buried at Forrest Lawn Cemetery, Ft. Lauderdale, Broward Co., FL.¹

     Linford Clark Holcombe was also known as Clark Holcombe. He was born on 20 June 1910 at Newark, Essex Co., NJ.¹ He was the son of Linford Darwin Holcombe and Sophie Ehrhorn.¹ Linford Clark Holcombe married Elsie Johnstone. Linford Clark Holcombe died on 19 May 1972 at Point Pleasant Beach, Ocean Co., NJ, at age 61.^1,2 He was buried at Bloomfield, Essex Co., NJ.¹

     Elsie Johnstone was born on 1 July 1906.¹ She married Linford Clark Holcombe, son of Linford Darwin Holcombe and Sophie Ehrhorn. Elsie Johnstone died in July 1976 at Point Pleasant Beach, Ocean Co., NJ.¹

     Laurena Louisa Holcombe was born on 24 June 1883 at Hopkinton, Delaware Co., IA.^1,2 She was the daughter of Darwin Hinkley Holcombe and Louisa Jane Livingstone.¹ Laurena Louisa Holcombe died on 26 June 1982 at Wnslow Care Center, near Marion, IA, at age 99.^1,2 She was buried at Cedar Memorial Cemetery, Cedar Rapids, IA.¹

Laurena had fond memories of her childhood days at Hopkinton, a place she described later as an old college town with a "rose-bush" charm. She reluctantly adjusted to Coggon at the age of seven where she completed the 11th grade, the highest offered there. She began teaching in rural schools. One was at Nugent's Grove about two miles east of Coggon. At one time she taught at Ethan, SD. She is shown in a picture of a group of teachers attending a teacher's institute at Mitchell, SD in 1906.

Laurena had a special talent for art. At one time she took instruction in oil painting through class work sponsored by a Cedar Rapids Art Association. The quality of her work was very good but she did not produce a great deal of quantity. At least there were enough pictures so that each of her six surviving nieces and nephews could have one after her death.

After teaching several years. Laurena decided she would take a business course. She liked the typing, but concluded she would not feel at ease in an office so she returned to teaching with more enthusiasm. She did her college work in summer terms. She accepted a position in her home town of Coggon about 1927 and taught there many years. She completed her work for an elementary teacher in 1932. With her parents getting older and needing more care, she did not get to go to summer school as often until after their deaths. Then by persistent effort in her summers she completed her BA degree in education at Iowa State Teachers College at Cedar Falls in 1947. At last she was qualified to teach commercial subjects in high school when it was almost time for her to retire. She did teach in several eastern Iowa schools for a few years. After retirement she lived at Coggon, Marion and Central City until her health and mind began to fail. She was a resident of the Evergreen Nursing Home several years and then entered the Winslow Care Center soon after it was opened. Both of those facilities are located near Marion, IA. She lived at Winslow about eight years and died there at the age of 99 years and two days. Her grave is located in an area near the obelisk.¹

     Everett J. Holcombe was born on 18 October 1885 at Plankinton, SD.¹ He was the son of Darwin Hinkley Holcombe and Louisa Jane Livingstone.¹ Everett J. Holcombe died on 25 July 1886 at Hopkinton, Delaware Co., IA.¹

     Viola Holcombe was born on 9 September 1887 at Hopkinton, Delaware Co., IA.¹ She was the daughter of Darwin Hinkley Holcombe and Louisa Jane Livingstone.¹ Viola Holcombe died on 17 November 1889 at Hopkinton, Delaware Co., IA, at age 2.¹

Both Everett and Viola are named with their dates on teh stone of their parents in the Coggon Cemetery. Since the family did not move to Coggon until 1890, it is probable the two children are buried at Hopkinton and just commerated at Coggon.¹

     Bernice Merle Holcombe was born on 6 February 1893 at Coggon, Linn Co., IA.¹ She was the daughter of Darwin Hinkley Holcombe and Louisa Jane Livingstone.¹ Bernice Merle Holcombe married Avon Clifford Shakespeare, son of Hiram Shakespeare and Mary Jane Williams, on 24 February 1916 at Coggon, Linn Co., IA.¹ Bernice Merle Holcombe died on 4 July 1971 at Cedar Rapids, Linn Co., IA, at age 78.¹ She was buried at Cedar Memorial Cemetery, Cedar Rapids, Linn Co., IA.¹

Bernice taught country school a few years before their marriage. Avon taught a term or two of country school, worked as a telegrapher for a while and settled on farming as his occupation. They started farming west of Central City where they lived in a six-sided house. They lived on two other farms before moving to the Shakespeare family farm in 1928. They bought this farm and increased it to 200 acres. Avon retired from active farming in 1951 and they moved to another house on their farm. He drove a school bus for the next five years. In 1970 they built a new house in Central City at 743 E. Main St. where they moved in August.¹

     Avon Clifford Shakespeare was born on 20 July 1891 at near Central City, IA.^1,2 He was the son of Hiram Shakespeare and Mary Jane Williams.¹ Avon Clifford Shakespeare married Bernice Merle Holcombe, daughter of Darwin Hinkley Holcombe and Louisa Jane Livingstone, on 24 February 1916 at Coggon, Linn Co., IA.¹ Avon Clifford Shakespeare died on 21 August 1973 at Central City, Linn Co., IA, at age 82.^1,2 He was buried at Cedar Memorial Cemetery, Cedar Rapids, Linn Co., IA.¹

     John Norman Shakespeare was born on 26 April 1918 at Central City, Linn Co., IA; stillborn. He was the son of Avon Clifford Shakespeare and Bernice Merle Holcombe. John Norman Shakespeare was buried at Oak Hill Cemetery, Central City, Linn Co., IA.¹

     Sarah Ann Livingston was born circa 1823 at VT.² She married Champlain S. Holcombe, son of James Holcombe and Olive Noble, on 8 November 1840 at possibly Whitehall, Washington Co., NY.^1,3 Sarah Ann Livingston died after 1880.³

     Charles E. Holcombe was born on 5 July 1858 at NY.^1,2 He was the son of Champlain S. Holcombe and Sarah Ann Livingston.¹ Charles E. Holcombe married Frances J. Holcombe, daughter of Linus P. Holcombe and Sarah Jennett Sweet, circa 1880.^1,2 Charles E. Holcombe died on 25 February 1934 at Granville, Washington Co., NY, at age 75.^1,3 He was buried at North Granville Cemetery.¹

Charles had a handle-bar mustache, worked in a quarry, and was a member of the Klu Klux Clan.¹


Charles and Frances were enumerated in the dwelling of Champlain in the 1880 Dresden, Washington Co., NY, federal census. There were no children.


Charles and Frances were enumerated in the 1900 Whitehall, Washington Co., NY, federal census, ED 144, page 7B. He was a farmer, age 41, she was 32. Children in the household were Ernest E., 17, Sanford S., 11, Eunice P. 8, George B.W. 7, and Charlotte F. 4.


Charles and Frances were were enumerated in the 1910 Whitehall, Washington Co., NY, federal census, ED 122. He was a laborer in a quary, age 51; she was 42. The only child in the household was Francis C. 14.


Charles and Frances were enumerated in the 1920 Granville, Washington Co., NY, federal census, ED 213. He was 60, she was 52. There were no children in the household.


Charles and Frances were enumerated in the 1930 Whitehall, Washington Co., NY, federal census, ED 47. He was 71, she was 62. Two children were in the household, Charles Tanner 17, and Raymond Tanner 14, grandchildren - children of Francis and Eugene Tanner.

     Lucinda Holcombe was born circa 17 September 1816; based on age at death. She was the daughter of John Griffin Holcombe and Jane Lamson. Lucinda Holcombe died on 18 September 1824. She was buried at Richardson Cemetery, Monroe, Muskingum Co., OH.

     Hendrick Holcombe was born circa 1844 at NY. He was the son of NY Holcombe. Hendrick Holcombe married Maria (?)

Hendrick and Maria were enumerated in the 1880 Whitehall, Washington Co., NY, federal census, page 23, printed page 494. He was a clerk in a grocery store. Both of his parents were also born in NY. Hendrick's name is not written clearly and could be Frederick.

     Maria (?) was born circa 1844. She married Hendrick Holcombe, son of NY Holcombe.

     John Molby was born on 14 April 1817 at Camillus, Onondaga Co., NY. He married Clarissa E. Holcombe, daughter of Edmund Holcombe and Sally Cardell, on 22 July 1837. John Molby died on 6 February 1859 at Onondaga, Onondaga Co., NY, at age 41.

     Eva Elizabeth Case was born on 10 October 1867 at Barkhamsted, Litchfield Co., CT.^1,2 She was the daughter of Ellsworth Case and Mary Lovinia Case.¹ Eva Elizabeth Case married William R. Hamm on 9 August 1894 at Simsbury, Hartford Co., CT.¹ Eva Elizabeth Case died on 17 May 1956 at age 88.¹

     Marion L. Holcombe was born circa 1873. She was the daughter of Benjamin Rush Holcombe and Helena Davis. Marion L. Holcombe married George Bergengren.

     Sophronia E. Holcombe was born circa 1846 at NY.² She was the daughter of Champlain S. Holcombe and Sarah Ann Livingston.¹

It is possible that this is the Sophrona Elizabeth Holcombe, b. 13 Jan 1847 who married Elijah Lyman Webster, a direct descendant of Gov. John Webster of Connecticut. He was b. 9 Jul 1841, a farmer. They married 5 Jul 1869 and resided in 1883 at Dresden, Yates Co., (sic. ?) NY. The children of this marriage (born in Dresden) were Cornelius Lyman, 13 Dec 1872, Bulia Edieth 9 Sep 1874, and Clarrence Joseph 24 Jul 1881.³

     Olive S. Holcombe was born in 1849 at Dresden, Washington Co., NY.² She was the daughter of Champlain S. Holcombe and Sarah Ann Livingston.¹ Olive S. Holcombe was also known as Alice S. Holcombe.³ She died on 12 December 1868 at Dresden, Washington Co., NY.² She was buried at Boardman Cemetery, Whitehall, Washington Co., NY.⁴

Listed in the 1860 census as Alice S.