JOHNSON COUNTY.

153

CHAS. A. HOLMES. This gentleman is probably one of the most prominent and at the same time truly honorable and esteemed citizens of Tecumseh. He is at present State Senator, and has also served in the Lower House of the Legislature. He has also made his way to the front in the world of finance, being Vice President of the Tecumseh Savings Bank, which is a popular and solid institution, and is likewise one of the firm of Russell & Holmes, bankers, who, in 1871, established the first bank in Johnson County, under the above firm name. It is the oldest brink in the Nemaha Valley, but one of the most solid. The first brick building in Tecumseh was erected by this firm, in 1872, on the corner of Third and Clay streets, for the use of the bank, and was so occupied. The bank has a paid-up capital of $25,000, and a surplus of $5,000.
   The home of our subject is one of the most elegant residences in the district, and is situated upon the summit of an eminence to the south of the city, and stands in its own grounds, comprising perhaps over twenty acres, devoted to the usual gardens, shaded walks and lawns, and is a very fine property. in addition to his residence and the bank building Mr. Holmes owns many pieces of valuable real estate in the city and surrounding country.
   Charles A. Holmes was born in Lockport, Will Co., Ill., on the 6th of June, 1840. When three years of age his parents removed to Jefferson, Wis. There he was reared and educated in part, the instruction he there received being supplemented by that obtained subsequently at Carroll College, Waukesha, Wis., and Lombard University, at Galesburg, Ill., from which institution he was graduated in June, 1862, with the degree of B. A.
   On the 11th of August, 1862, our subject enlisted in the 29th Wisconsin Infantry. On the 5th of September he was commissioned Captain of his company, and was attached to the Western Department. He served throughout the Vicksburg campaign, and also on the Red River, with Gen. Banks, in the spring of 1864. He was at the capture of Mobile, at which his regiment and the 8th Illinois were the first to enter the city. He took part also in an endless round of skirmishes and lesser conflicts. At the battle of Champion Hills, on the 16th of May, our subject was wounded so severely as to detain him from active service until the middle of September following. At the close of the war he was mustered out at Shreveport, the date being the 27th of June, 1865, receiving his final discharge at Madison, Wis., on the 17th of July following.
   Upon leaving the army Mr. Holmes returned to

Jefferson, Wis., and continued the study of law, which he had been reading with his father previous to his enlistment. He was admitted to the bar of Wisconsin in 1866, continuing in practice there until August, 1871, when he came to Tecumseh, and shortly after formed the present partnership. Those interested in reading further concerning the history of the firm will find additional particulars in the sketch of the life of J. D. Russell, to be found upon another page of this volume.
   Mr. Holmes was appointed by President Grant Postmaster at Jefferson, Wis. He received his appointment in 1869, and continued to hold the position until he left Wisconsin. In 1874 Mr. Holmes was elected to the Legislature on the Republican ticket, and took his seat on the 1st of January, 1875. By the Legislature our subject was elected one of the Regents of the State University at Lincoln. This position he continued to fill until the new Constitution went into force, when he was again elected, this time by the people, for a full term, serving in all a period of nine years in that Capacity. In 1886 the people again expressed their sentiments of confidence and esteem by electing him to the State Senate. During his term of service he was made Chairman of the University Committee, the Committee on Common Schools, that on Education, and was second on the Committee of Finance. His term expired on the 1st of January, 1889.
   Mr. Holmes has always been a very energetic, enterprising, busy man, and yet withal, has such capacity for work as never to appear to feel the burden of the various responsibilities and duties devolving upon him. He is prominent in the Masonic fraternity, and has received all the degrees of the Blue Lodge, Chapter and Commandery. He is also an enthusiast in the G. A. R., and very popular therein. In both the above orders he has held various offices, always with the greatest satisfaction to his fellow members.
   On the 29th of August, 1866, our subject and Miss Jennie T. Hurd plighted their troth, since which time the two life streams there united have flowed as one. This event was celebrated at Jerseyville, Jersey Co., Ill. There have come to them eight children, the following of whom are still living: Althea M., Mary B., Kate E. and Ruth L.
   The deceased members of the family, with the exception of Carl W., who died on the 20th of August, 1888, at the age of three years, all died in infancy. The surviving members of the family, excepting Althea M., now Mrs. G. D. Bennett, are at home, and are receiving the best education it is within the power of their parents to give.
   Mrs. Holmes was born in Jerseyville, on the 26th of February, 1842, and is the daughter of Jay M. Hurd. Her home until her marriage was made with her parents. She is a lady fitted by education, by her home training, and the many graces and womanly virtues that are hers by the gift of nature and heredity, to fill any position in society to which she might be called. She was educated at Galesburg, Ill., and passed the years prior to her marriage engaged in teaching. She is prominent as a worker in the W. C. T. U., and takes the greatest interest in all works of charity and beneficence. With her husband, she is a member of the Universalist Church, and in that communion they are held in the highest possible regard. She is now serving her third term as President of the W. C. T. U., of Nebraska.
   John E. Holmes, the father of our subject, was born in Hartford, Conn., in the year 1809. When a young man he went to Western New York, being alone in the world, and compelled to fight his own way, both parents having been removed from his side by the arch-Destroyer Death. He found means to educate himself at Hamilton Academy, in the State of New York, after which he studied for the ministry of the Universalist Church. He supplied various pulpits in the States of Michigan, Ohio, Indiana and Illinois. After his marriage he began the study of law, and upon being admitted to the bar practiced at Lockport, Ill., removing thence after a short period to Jefferson, Wis., in 1843.
   Mr. Holmes was married, Aug. 30, 1836, to Ruth A. Hawley, of Milan, Erie Co., Ohio. Four sons were born of this union, all of whom are living. This lady is the daughter of Warren Hawley, and was born on the 8th of October, 1816. She still lives, making her home with our subject, and has reached the ripe age of seventy-two years.