Michael Beem Holmes

ARMSTRONG, HARFORD, HERMAN, HOLMES, JONES, PICKENS, TRIBBY, WORLEY

Posted By: Judy Wight Branson (email)
Date: 8/13/2004 at 11:59:08

Michael B. Holmes was for many years actively and prominently connected with the agricultural development of the county and his demise in 1894 was the occasion of much sincere regret. He was born in Indiana on the 17th of May, 1849, a son of J. S. and Elizabeth Holmes, who removed to Madison county, Iowa, when this district was still largely a frontier region. Further mention of the family, is made in the sketch of J. W. Holmes on another page of this volume.

Michael B. Holmes was educated in the district schools and supplemented his scholastic training with practical preparation for an agricultural career, as he began to assist his father with the farm work when quite young. As he grew to manhood he determined to own land of his own and began saving his money with that end in view and was at length in a position to buy eighty acres of land in Scott township. He found sufficient scope for his energy and progressiveness in the cultivation of his property and by unremitting toil and careful living was enabled to add to his holdings until he held title to two hundred and fifty acres of excellent land. He understood the work of preparing the ground for the seed, the best methods of sowing, the importance of cultivating the growing crops and the work of harvesting. He was not only successful as a grain grower but also raised high grade stock, the sale of which added materially to his income. He was still actively engaged in agricultural work at the time of his death, which occurred on the 6th of February, 1894.

On the 4th of July, 1878, Mr. Holmes married Miss Alice A. Harford, a daughter of D. A. and Mary (Armstrong) Harford, natives of Pennsylvania and Ohio respectively. After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Harford resided in the Buckeye state for some time and in 1856 removed with their family to Madison county, Iowa, locating at Winterset, where Mr. Harford followed his trade of carpentering. He also owned land and farmed to some extent. He passed away on the 26th of February, 1910, and his wife died on the 14th of April, 1896. The children born to Mr. and Mrs. Holmes are as follows: Starling D., a farmer, residing near Mitchell, South Dakota, married Anna Jones and they have three children, Everett, Opal and Earl. Essie is the wife of Wesley R. Worley, a farmer of this county. Albert, a farmer of this county, married Ethel Herman and their children are four in number, John, Alice, Squire and Gladys. Fred, a farmer and stock dealer, residing on the home farm in Scott township, married Agnes Pickens, by whom he has two children, Helen and Herbert. Beulah is the wife of Fred Jones, a farmer of Madison county, and they have two children, Pauline and Lois. M. B., a farmer of Madison county, married Miss Gladys Tribby. Mrs. Holmes was left a widow with six children, the oldest of whom was only sixteen years of age, but she managed to carry on the farm with the assistance of her sons until December, 1912, when she rented the place to one of the sons and came to Winterset, where she now lives. She is a member of the Methodist church and is highly respected by all who know her.

Mr. Holmes was not especially active in political circles but discharged his duties as a good citizen and manifested a commendable public spirit. His political views were in accord with the policies of the republican party and he supported that ticket at the polls. He attended the Zion church and aided in furthering the work of that organization. He was essentially a home man and found his greatest enjoyment in the companionship of his family. He also loved the out-of-doors and for that reason farming was a very congenial as well as a profitable occupation. His home was the meeting place of the friends of the family as he was of a hospitable nature and delighted to welcome those whom he had honored with his friendship.

Taken from the book, “The History of Madison County, Iowa, 1915”