Pike Township Family Stories
THE HOLCOMB FAMILY
Nichols, Iowa Centennial Book 1884-1984, pages 326-328
By Yvonne HolcombThomas Holcomb was born in Pembrokeshire, Wales, or Devonshire, England. In March 1630 he was in a company of 140 persons which was assembled at Plymouth, Devonshire, where a large ship of 400 tons, The Mary and John, made ready for the voyage to America.
The first Holcomb to live in Muscatine was Thomas B. Holcomb. He married, first, Sarah E. Garnes, who died 14 February 1881. Then he married Frances D. Wallace, who died 22 March 1912.
Mr. Holcomb attended Hiram college in Ohio. He settled on Muscatine island in 1869. He was a farmer and ran a commission house in Muscatine. He died 14 January 1923 and was buried in the Island cemetery.
He had three children by his first wife, Sarah Garnes. They were Sarah E. Holcomb, who died young; an infant who died young; and Frank Garnes Holcomb. His children by Frances Wallace were Wilma B. Holcomb, born 16 February 1885, and Hugh B. Holcomb, born 30 May 1888.
Frank Garnes Holcomb, son of Thomas B. and Sarah Garnes Holcomb, was born 14 February 1881 and died 16 February 1963. Frank was a vegetable farm on Muscatine Island all his life. He served in the state militia. He was a member of the Masonic lodge in Muscatine. He had four children: Paul Holcomb, born 1903, died 1904; Roger Holcomb, born 1905, died 1905; Robert Gary Holcomb, born 19 April 1906; and Thomas Benton “Ben” Holcomb, born 23 September 1912, died 11 January 1974.
Thomas B. Holcomb, Sr., “Ben” and his brother, Robert Holcomb farmed with their father on the home place. In 1946, Ben and his family moved o rural Nichols and bought was known as the Foley place. Ben farmed and worked in heavy equipment construction all of his life. He died in an auto accident on the edge of Nichols. In 1974 his widow incorporated the farm and remained active in farming.
Ben Holcomb was married 9 October 1933 to Frances E. “Betty” Baker. They had three children: Thomas Holcomb, Frank Holcomb and Delpha Holcomb.
The following biographical sketch of Elijah Baker is taken from the 1911 History of Muscatine County.Elijah Baker is among the successful citizens of Muscatine, a man whose career is a remarkable exemplification of the effect of courage based on good judgment and executive ability. He was born in Rockingham, Virginia, 8 June 1842, and is a son of Elijah Baker and Lucinda McCloud Baker. The father, who was also a native of Rockingham, came to Muscatine in the spring of 1866 and lived upon a farm until his death, which occurred in 1872.
Guy E. Baker, son of Elijah Baker and Carrie Baker, married Pina Delpha Stapp. They were parents of five children: Frances E. “Betty” Baker, born 28 December 1910, died 23 September 1981; Eva Rue Baker, deceased; Robert Bruce Baker, deceased; Delpha Pina Baker, deceased; and Beverly Ann Baker, now resides in Canada. The first three children were born west of Nichols on what is now known as the Fuhrmeister farm. Later they moved to Muscatine.
The grandfather of our subject was of English descent. He had a brother who was in the Revolutionary War, and during a battle was scalped by an Indian. When found, he was lying with his face to the ground, having with great presence of mind, kept perfectly still and thus escaped with his life. The great-grandfather was an English sailor. The mother of our subject was of Scotch descent. She was born in Virginia and died in Muscatine county in 1872, the same year in which her husband passed away. They were both buried in Greenwood cemetery.
There were seven children in their family: Joseph Baker, John Baker and Samuel Baker, all deceased; R. M. Baker, a resident of California; Margaret Baker, who became the wife of John Dougherty and is now deceased; William Baker, deceased, and Elijah Baker, our subject.
Elijah Baker was educated in Virginia and at nineteen years of age enlisted 18 April 1861 in a volunteer company. He first served under General Stonewall Jackson, being a member of the Tenth Virginia Regiment of Volunteers, which he joined for one year. During this period he became convinced that the Union should be preserved and that it was his duty to assist in upholding the Stars and stripes. Accordingly, he came north and assisting in raising Company M, Twelfth Ohio Volunteers, of which he was appointed drill master. Later he was made first duty sergeant, and after he had further demonstrated his capacity as a soldier, he was commissioned as second lieutenant of his company. His regiment aided in terminating guerilla warfare in Kentucky and in driving Morgan out of the field. He participated in the battles of King Salt Work, or Abingdon, Virginia, Mount Sterling and Leesburg, Kentucky, being wounded in the leg at the latter place. Upon recovering from his wound, he went to east Tennessee and to Virginia, for three months in almost continuous fighting. He continued in the service until after the war was over and was mustered out at Nashville, Tennessee, 14 November 1865.
In 1866 Elijah came to Muscatine and devoted his attention for a time to farming, but later engaged as a contractor in building and in brick paving. In this work he has been successful. He is the owner of four farms in Muscatine county, a section of land in Kansas and thirty-five houses in Muscatine.
On 19 November 1872, Elijah Baker was united in marriage to Carrie H. Sumner, a native of Virginia. Five children came to bless their home; three are living: Eva Baker, Guy Baker and Cora Baker. Guy Baker lives near Nichols (now the Fuhrmeister place). The mother of these children departed this life 6 July 1908. Mr. Baker was married 30 September 1909 to Lydia Ditmars, a daughter of William Ditmars and Mary Ditmars of New York.
Mr. Baker voted for Abraham Lincoln for president in 1864 and for General U. S. Grant in 1872, but many years ago he changed his political allegiance and gave his support to the democratic party, to which he now adheres. He has never sought public office, but he served with great acceptance as city marshal of Muscatine for three years. Socially, he is connected with the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. He is one of the few men living who participated on both sides in the Civil War and, notwithstanding frequent exposure in battle, came out of the conflict without serious injury. No man is better convinced of justice as the result of that great event than he, and no one is a better friend of peace. He knows the horrors of war and he has tasted the blessing of peace. Whether as soldier or citizen, Mr. Baker has always attempted to perform his duty. He has a host of friends who have been attracted to him on account of his manly qualities.
Frances E. Baker and Thomas B. Holcomb, Jr. were married and were parents of three children: Thomas B. “Joe” Holcomb, Frank M. Holcomb and Delpha M. Holcomb.
Thomas B. Holcomb “Joe” married Ramona Marie Mills at the Methodist church in Nichols. Ramona is the daughter of Donald Mills and Marie Rathjen Mills of Nichols. Joe and Ramona both graduated from Nichols High school. Joe served in the National Guard. He belongs to the Columbus City Masonic lodge 107, the Louisa county Shriners and the Moose lodge. They are presently engaged in farming. Children of Joe and Ramona Holcomb are: Gary Thomas Holcomb, Alan Charles Holcomb and Jane Marie Holcomb.
Frank M. Holcomb married Yvonne DeWulf at St. Mary’s church at Lone Tree. Yvonne is the daughter of Modest DeWulf of Lone Tree, now living in St. Petersburg, Florida. Yvonne graduated from West Liberty and is co-owner of Gifts and Ceramics of Nichols. Frank graduated from Nichols High school. He served in the National Guard and the U. S. Army. He ran the Holcomb Deep Rock filling station in Nichols. He served the town of Nichols on the Town council for ten years and the fire department for twelve years. Frank works at Assemblers at West Liberty. They have lived in Nichols for 15 years before they built a home south of Nichols. They are parents of three children: Frank E. Holcomb, works at Rohners at West Liberty; John B. Holcomb, works at Louis Rich at West Liberty; and Nancy K. Holcomb.
Delpha M. Holcomb married Kenneth J. Wagner at the Methodist church in Nichols. Kenneth is one of five children of Henry A. Wagner and Galilee Johnson Wagner of Wapello, Iowa. He was born in Louisa county, Iowa. He served in the U. S. Army for three years. He operated the Deep Rock station in Nichols for three years and was on the Town Council and fire department in Nichols. They are the parents of three children: Andrea Kay Wagner, Kenneth Guy Wagner and Victoria Anne Wagner. .
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