HOLMES, John Allen: 1849-1909

HOLMES, CORNELL, BROWN

Posted By: Volunteer: Sherri
Date: 5/21/2013 at 16:18:23

John Allen Holmes was born in West Virginia, April 18, 1849, and moved with his parents to Van Buren county, Iowa, when a year old, locating in Harrisburg township, where he grew to manhood. He united with the Harrisburg Baptist church early in life and was a faithful member of same until the end.

September 10, 1879, he was married to Miss Olive Holmes and they resided on a farm near Mt. Ayr, Iowa. Two chrildren were born to them, Glenn, who died Aug. 25, 1899, and Grace, who is now Mrs. Lloyd E. Cornell of New York City. The mother died in 1890, and June 1, 1892, Mr. Holmes married Miss Mary E. Brown.

For a time they resided in Keosauqua and later they moved to his mother's farm near Bonaparte. Last summer he went to the Pacific coast for his health but later returned home, where he died Sunday, Dec. 12, 1909, aged 60 years, 8 months and 6 days. Besides his wife, daughter and grand daughter, he leaves three brothers and one sister to mourn his death. The deceased was in poor health for over three years preceding his death and suffered much, but he was patient and kind through it all.

He was universally respected and will be greatly missed in the community where he lived. The funeral was held from the residence Tuesday, December 14, in the afternoon, Rev. Clark of Dows, Iowa, in charge of the services. The burial was in the Vale cemetery.

Source: Van Buren Co. Genealogical Soceity Obituary Book C, Page 79, Keosauqua Public Library, Keosauqua, IA