Surnames: Holcomb, Ratjan, Hoffman, Brillion, Brandon, Sherlock

----Source: Neillsville Press (Neillsville, Clark County, Wis.) 4 May 1933

Holcomb, Abner Ellsworth (11 Sept. 1861 - 28 April 1933)

A. E. Holcomb passed away at Neillsville Hospital Friday afternoon, April 18, after an illness of several months, due to enlargement of the heart.

Abner Ellsworth Holcomb was born Sept. 11, 1861, at Gallispolis, Ohio. When he was sixteen years old he moved with his family to Marshalltown, Iowa. He traveled about, later spending some time in Kansas and Colorado, then coming to Wisconsin, living for a time at Eau Claire. He had learned the moulder's trade and also harness making, following each of these trades as he found employment. For a time he was in the life insurance business.

Mr. Holcomb came to Neillsville in 1910 and bought out the Ludington harness shop and followed this work as long as his health permitted. Some years ago he began to have slight heart trouble which continued to grow worse until he was unable to do any manual labor.

Mr. Holcomb was first married to Miss Lena Ratjan of Indianapolis, at Lawrenceburg, Indiana, in 1886. She died in 1903. He was married to Anna Hoffman of Fall Creek in 1907. She died in 1922. On April 14, 1928, he was united in marriage with Mrs. Harriet Brillion, who survives him. He leaves two children by his first marriage, Ruth, Mrs. Wm. Brandon, of Washington, D. C., and a son Leroy of Chicago. A son, Chauncey died last year in Minneapolis. Two grandchildren lived at Long Beach, California, and a sister at Richmond, Indiana.

Mr. Holcomb was a man of good habits, honest and upright in business, and excellent workman who took great pride in his work. He was a lover of his home and a firm friend. He was for many years a member of the Masonic lodge and took great interest in its work, filling at different times most of the lodge offices.

Funeral services were held Sunday afternoon at the Masonic Temple, the burial ritual of the order being used.

Those from away who attended the funeral were Mr. and Mrs. Wm. Brandon of Washington, D. C., Leroy Holcomb of Chicago; Mr. and Mrs. Donald Brillion and son, Robert of Minneapolis; Mr. and Mrs. Wm. Sherlock and daughter, Florence of Superior.

*********There could be more to the obituary; uncertain. **************