My Genealogy Hound

ISAAC H. HOLCOMB, the well-known manufacturer of high-grade cigars of Cortland village, has been a resident and a citizen of Cortland County for nearly a quarter of a century. In that time he has seen an industry, founded almost literally by his own hands, grow and increase in volume until it is now one of the recognized leading manufactories in the village. Mr. Holcomb is of Massachusetts birth, having come into the world May 31, 1831, at East Grandville, a son of Walter Holcomb, a prominent farmer of that section. As a lad, the subject of this sketch was trained along agricultural lines. When he was thirteen years of age, while engaged in hauling wood to market, he slipped under a runner of the sled on which the wood had been placed, and his leg was terribly crushed below the knee. The injury was so severe that it was thought that an amputation would be necessary, but Dr. Jewett, a most skillful physician and surgeon, performed a successful operation and the limb was saved. While the bones were knitting, the lad learned the art of cigar-making, in which trade he soon became very proficient. At the age of twenty-two he came to Syracuse, N. Y., and for three years was employed as a journeyman. He then moved to Minnesota, where he was variously employed for five years. Mr. Holcomb returned to the East in 1859, and at Weedsport, N. Y., opened a cigar factory, which he managed for two years. It was in that town that he first put out his I. H. H. brand of 10c. cigars, which has become so very popular in this section. Later on and before the close of the late war, he moved to Georgetown, D. C., where he conducted the Union Hotel. Not liking the hotel business at that point, he returned to Syracuse, and acted as travelling salesman for nine years in the employ of Sanford & Bon. Mr. Holcomb was at that time one of the leading salesmen in the State, and his order-book would average up with the best of them anywhere. After leaving the road he associated himself with his former employers, Sanford & Bon, in looking glasses, picture frames and artists’ materials, under the firm name of I. H. Holcomb & Co. In 1873, Mr. Holcomb came to Cortland to look after the education of his only child. After only a brief sojourn he was so well suited with the town and its people that he decided to make it his home, and to embark in the cigar business once more. His first venture was in a very small way, but so steadily did his product gain in popular favor, that at this writing he does not have to solicit orders outside, as all the goods that he can make with his present force go to his local trade, or else are shipped to a select list of customers at various points over the country. Mr. Holcomb started in at a location on Pottery Street. In order to obtain larger quarters he moved the following year to No. 5 Mill Street. In 1883, he bought the Harding property at No. 53 Groton Street, and thereon built a comfortable, home-like residence, and a new model factory with space for a score or more of workmen. He is now turning out from three to four hundred thousand cigars of the best grade per annum. Mr. Holcomb aims to put the very best stock to be found in his goods, and manufactures both from seed and Havana tobacco. He is a most expert judge of tobaccos, and his cigars have a great reputation for evenness of quality. He employs the most proficient of operators only, and all the work is carried on under his watchful eye. His leading brands are the I. H. H.; Tube Rose; My Special; My Leader; The Best; Pastime; Choice; Little Darling; Fair Exchange; and Superior. Besides these well-known brands, he makes many special labels to order, making as many as forty for local dealers, for this specialty is a feature of his trade. The factory, a model of neatness and cleanliness by the way, is always open to the inspection of those who would like to see cigars made as they ought to be.

Since Mr. Holcomb has resided in Cortland, he has as a business man won the highest respect among the mercantile and manufacturing classes. He is a careful, shrewd and upright business man, and a respecter of the rights of others. As a citizen he is pleasant, affable, and approachable, with a ready good-will to enter into anything that stands for the public good. He knows how to get and hold customers, and those who deal with Mr. Holcomb know that when he says a piece of goods is so and so, the article will every time come up to his recommendation. While a resident of Syracuse, Mr. Holcomb was united in marriage to Marticia P. Dickinson, a daughter of Mr. Moses Dickinson of that city. One daughter, Miss Ada F. Holcomb, has been born to them, and she now resides in Cortland with her parents.