John Allen Holmes 1849-1909

HOLMES, BROWN, CORNELL, REID

Posted By: Volunteer - Rich Lowe
Date: 6/25/2014 at 06:30:53

John Allen Holmes

John Allen Holmes was born in West Virginia, April 18, 1849. He moved with his parents, John and Lydia Holmes, to Van Buren County, Iowa, when a year old. Here they located in Harrisburg Twp., where Mr. Holmes grew to manhood. He united wit the Harrisburg Baptist church early in life, and he has ever since remained a faithful member.

Sept. 10, 1879, Mr. Holmes was united in marriage to Miss Ollie Jane Holmes. They lived on a farm near Mt. Ayr, Iowa. Two children were born to this union: Glenn, who died Aug. 25, 1899, at the age of sixteen, and Grace, who is now Mrs. Lloyd Cornell of New York city. Mrs. Holmes died in 1890.

June 1, 1892, Mr. Homes and Miss Mary E. Brown were married. They made their home in Keosauqua for a time, where he was in the music business. Then they moved on the Holmes farm in Harrisburg, and afterwards to a farm two miles south of Bonaparte. Two years ago they moved to Bonaparte, and here he died at his home Sunday afternoon, December 12, being sixty years and eight months old.

Besides his faithful wife and daughter, and grand-daughter Helen Louise, he leaves to mourn their loss three brothers and one sister: Jeremiah, and Mrs. Lilly Reid of Seattle, Wash., Manning, of Harrisburg Twp., and Loxley of Ottumwa.

Mr. Holmes has been ill with a complication of diseases for over four years, and has suffered much during that time.

The funeral was held Tuesday afternoon, from the home, Rev. Clark of Dows, Iowa, officiating.

Source: Entler Scrapbook Collection, vol 5, Iowa Historical Library, Iowa City, IA