Caroline Ballard Holmes (1853-1901)

HOLMES, BALLARD, SHULTIS, JOHN, OLINGER, CROWSER, ABBOTT

Posted By: Gail and Dennis Bell
Date: 6/11/2005 at 12:45:10

THE MAXWELL TRIBUNE, Maxwell, Iowa, Thursday, August 15, 1901, page 4, column 4. "Mr. and Mrs. J. B. Olinger were summoned to Ames Saturday night on a sad mission, a telegram reaching them at midnight, stating that Mrs. Olinger's mother, Mrs. Holmes, was dying. A team was hurriedly called and they started at 1 a. m. arriving at Ames at 4:30 a. m. Mrs. Holmes was found to be yet living, with symptoms a little more favorable, though still in intense agony, her affliction being inflamation** of the stomach and bowels. She held onto life until Monday at 11:45 a. m. when she passed away. **Editorial note, spelling used is from the original newspaper article.

THE MAXWELL TRIBUNE, Maxwell, Iowa, Thursday, August 15, 1901, page 4, column 5 "Death of Mrs. Holmes - Caroline Ballard was born in Keokuk county, Iowa, August 4, 1853. With her parents she came to Story county in early life where she resided continuously with the exception of one year spent in Tennessee. She was married to James M. Holmes in the year of 1872. To them were born six children, all living and present with the mother during her final sickness. They are: Nettie, wife of Prof. Shultis, of the Dallas Center school; Lottie, wife of Willard John, until recently one of the leading business men of Cambridge, now connected with the government land office in Grand Forks, N. D.; Mary wife of J. B. Olinger, editor of the Maxwell TRIBUNE; James, a barber of Cambridge and Addie and Charles, still at home. These with the aged mother, Mrs. Catherine Crowser, a sister, Mrs. Abbott, and four brothers survive to cherish the memory of a devoted friend. After sixteen years of married life in which the had toiled and struggled together to win in life's battle, Mr. Holmes died May 23, 1888. The grief stricken mother demonstrated her love and wisdom by heroically taking up the task of rearing her family and devoted herself to the work of securing for them full equipment for the duties of life. That effort was in a good degree successful, the cost in solicitude and tears was concealed by the struggler, but reciprocated love was demonstrated frequently by the kindness of the family toward the mother; one of the last tokens of filial regard was given on August 4th, just a few days before the final sickness, when the entire family gathered to celebrate the forty-eighth anniversary of the birth of Mrs. Holmes, when tokens of love, material and affectionate, were bestowed. The last family gathering was thus made one to be long remembered. The children departed for their homes only to be recalled by unexpected messages announcing the serious illness of the mother. Even before the last one had gone Mrs. Homes was ill but bore her suffering in silence rather than give solicitude to others. By Saturday inflamation had set in and a turn of an alarming character was observed. The children were summoned and they all reached her bedside in time to receive a parting message except Mrs. Shultis, who arrived after unconscious forbade recognition. The intense suffering of the past days was checked by opiates and she slept and grew rapidly weaker until 11:45 a. m., August 12th when the spirit took its flight. Mrs. Holmes was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church for the last thirteen years. Her religious life was of the earnest, active, consistent type which sought to establish the Redeemer's kingdom in the hearts of her children and the community in which she lived. Her fidelity to all the services of the church is still in the memory of the writer. In April 1900 she was compelled to undergo a surgical operation and from that time her life was largely spent in the home. Being deprived of church services was a loss keenly felt by her, but with untiring zeal she still worked in her limited sphere and especially for the two children who are still at home. Two years ago she moved from Cambridge to Ames seeking better educational advantages. The funeral was held in the Methodist church there Tuesday afternoon, August 13th, conducted by the writer, a former pastor, assisted by Rev. C. L. Baxter, of Ames. A quartette sang selections fitted to the character and occasion. The pall bearers were J. W. John, E. G. Johnson, J. S. Kies, Edgar John, F. W. Larson, her neighbors, from Cambridge, and Turner McLain, of Ames. By her request she was buried in the Ames cemetery and to that place the body of her husband is to be removed. Her memory is as precious ointment poured forth. O. F. Shaw." **Editorial note, all misspelled words are exactly as found in the newspaper article.