My Genealogy Hound

John Holmes (deceased), one of the former citizens of Walnut Ridge, was born in Coshocton, Ohio, April 18, 1858. His parents were A. Jackson and Mary (McDaniel) Holmes, of the same State, who died when their son was very young. Mr. Holmes was reared on a farm in Coshocton, Ohio, by his uncle, Felix Butler, and on reaching his twentieth year, he left him and settled at a point near St. Mary’s, Kas., where he learned the carpenter’s trade. He followed this for two years, and then worked on a farm for one year. In the spring of 1884 he came to Walnut Ridge, and worked at his trade until his death occurred, in 1888, aged thirty years. Mr. Holmes was not a member of any society. He was a Republican in politics, and served one term as marshal of Walnut Ridge, gaining the reputation of being an efficient officer. He was married January 1, 1881, to Miss Maggie Van Syckle of New Jersey, whose parents, A. Jackson and Catherine (Hibler) Van Syckle, were natives of the same State. Four children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Holmes, three of them living: Ada, Bertha and Otto. Mrs. Holmes was appointed postmistress of Walnut Ridge, on May 16, 1889, succeeding Capt. James C. Cannon, on June 9, 1889, and fulfills the duties of her office to the satisfaction of Lawrence County’s citizens.