Person Page - 54

     John Ewing Holcombe was born on 16 August 1817 at Vinton, Gallia Co., OH. He was the son of General Samuel Robert Holcombe and Sarah Ewing. John Ewing Holcombe married Mary Matthews, daughter of Col. Phineas Matthews and Abigail Nobles, on 1 September 1838 at Gallia Co., OH.^2,3 John Ewing Holcombe died on 30 August 1889 at Bates Co, MO, at age 72.² Lived in Butler, Mo.

     Anselm Tupper Holcombe was born on 19 November 1846 at Vinton, Gallia Co., OH.² He was the son of John Ewing Holcombe and Mary Matthews. Anselm Tupper Holcombe married Grace Lydia Breare, daughter of Rev. Robinson Breare, on 14 October 1876 at Gallia Co., OH.³ Anselm Tupper Holcombe died on 15 March 1937 at Portsmouth, Scioto Co., OH, at age 90.⁴ He was buried at Old Holcomb Cemetery, Huntington Twp., Gallia Co., OH.

Some sources give A.T.'s birth as 19 November 1845. The biography following gives 1846, and since it was written during his lifetime, may be more reliable.

A.T. attended the schools at Vinton and Ewington. He assisted his father in a country store. He entered Ohio University in 1863 and graduated in 1867. While attending the University, he studied law with the Honorable Reed Golden, at Athens, Ohio. Directly after the Civil War, his parents removed to Butler, Bates County, Missouri. After his graduation in 1867, Mr. Holcomb continued the study of law with his uncle, General Anselm Tupper Holcomb. In this period he taught school at Vinton and Rodney, in Gallia County and at Morefield, Kentucky. In 1870 he went to Bates County, Missouri and was admitted to the bar. He formed a partnership with Hon. William Page and practiced law in Bates County till 1875 when the firm of Page & Holcomb was dissolved and our subject associated himself in the practice of law at the same place with his brother, Phineas with whom he remained until the summer of 1878, when he came to Portsmouth, Ohio, and formed a law partnership with the Hon. Albert C. Thompson as Thompson and Holcomb. This terminated in 1881, when his partner was elected Common Pleas Judge. In September 1884, Judge Thompson resigned as Common Pleas Judge and the partnership was resumed. James Madison McGillivray was made a third partner in the firm and it had offices both in Ironton and Portsmouth. In about one year Mr. Holcomb resided at Ironton. From 1886 to 1891 Mr. Holcomb practiced alone. In the latter year he formed a partnership with James M. Dawson (who had just retired from the office of Probate Judge) as Holcomb and Dawson which continued until l1894. In 1891 he was elected to represent Scioto County as a member of the Seventieth General Assembly. He was a member of the Judiciary Committee and that on Municipalities and he served with ability and distinction. He declined a second term. In 1893, he became one of the assignees of the Citizen's Savings ban, one of the most complex trusts ever administered in Ohio. In 1894, he became Administrator of the estate of the late George Davis, another intricate trust. On June 1st, 1897, he formed a partnership with Frank B. Finney, as Holcomb and Finney, which continued until just 2 years later since which time he has practiced law alone. He is a man of wonderful energy and activity. While practicing law in Bates County, Missouri, he completed an abstract for title of all the lands and town lots in the county. Since his residence in Portsmouth he has been connected with almost every new business enterprise organized. He has been President of the Portsmouth Board of Trade and while holding that position the Board of Trade addition was made to the city which brought the Portsmouth Stove and Range Works, the Wait Furniture Company and Harsha & Caskey into business in the east end of the city. He induced the building of the Portsmouth Street Railroad and the Portsmouth opera house and isnow one of the four owners in the latter. He is President of the Raccoon Coal and Fuel Company, which is building a branch railroad of three miles to connect with the Hocking Valley Railroad. He bought the Scioto Furnace Lands and is opening coal mines on the same. He is one of the original stockholders and promoters of the Buckeye Fire Brick Company. He is one of the largest stockholders, a vice President and Director of the Portsmouth Shoe Company. He is President of the Portsmouth Veneer and Panel Company. He is a stockholder in the Washington Hotel and in the Scioto Fire Brick Company. He is Secretary of the Fluhart Coal and Mining Company of Wellston, Ohio. He is engaged in the coal business in Missouri. He was an original stockholder in the Portsmouth Fire Brick Company and the Portsmouth Wagon Stock Company. He and Mr. Leonidas H. Murphy were more than any other citizens of Portsmouth, instrumental in inducing the Editor of this work to undertake it, and if it should be approved by the public, for whom it is intended, the credit will be largely due to him and Mr. Murphy. Mr. Holcomb not only has a taste for promoting business enterprises, but he is a fraternity man as well. He is one of the charter members of the Portsmouth Commercial Club. For fifteen years he has been a member of Massie Lodge, Knights of Pythias. He is a Blue Lodge, Chapter council and Knights Templar Mason, and an Elk.

When one of his friends persuades himself he is an enemy, Mr. Holcomb can only express himself like Caesar did when exclaimed, "et tu Brute". There is one part in Mr. Holcomb's character above all praise, persons may cherish enmity to him but he holds none in return. He has a good feeling for those who believe themselves his enemies, as well as for his friends. So far as Mr. Holcomb himself is concerned, he has no enemies, though there are some who regard themselves as such. This quality he possesses, above all men known to the writer, and had he lived in the days of the Early Christian Saints it would have qualified him as one, but living in these days, when all men are sinners, his benign disposition, shines out like a beacon light. Mr. Holcomb is the soul of power in all his dealings. George Washington could not be and Mr. Holcomb could not be guilty of anything dishonorable. To do so he would have to deny the record of a long line of honorable ancestry and violate the intuition of his own soul, which he could not do.

It is commonplace to say that Mr. Holcomb is a good lawyer. He is much more. He is a fluent and able advocate. He is courteous with all with whom he comes in contact and is willing to accord to every man all he is entitled to.

He is kind hearted and sympathetic, and these traits in him are often taken advantage of. He is wonderfully enthusiastic in everything he undertakes. He is ever courageous and hopeful. No more public-spirited citizen ever resided in Portsmouth. He favors every project for the public good. He possesses confidence in everything he undertakes, and inspires it in others.

He is a Republican without guile. He is true to his party regardless of himself. He has always taken a prominent position in his party concils. In 1876 in Missouri he was a delegate to the Republican national Convention for his Congressional district. He has been a delegate to the Convention in his district in Ohio almost every year. Twice he has been presented by his County for Congress, but other combinations prevented his nomination. ⁵


Anselm and Grace were enumerated in the 1900 Portsmouth City, Wayne Township, Scioto Co., OH, federal census. He was a lawyer, age 53, she was 47. They had been married 24 years and had three children, two of whom were still alive and living at home, Anslem T. Jr. 18, and Breare R. 14.

     Grace Lydia Breare was born in December 1853 at MA.¹ She was the daughter of Rev. Robinson Breare. Grace Lydia Breare married Anselm Tupper Holcombe, son of John Ewing Holcombe and Mary Matthews, on 14 October 1876 at Gallia Co., OH.² Grace Lydia Breare died on 8 August 1915 at Scioto Co., OH, at age 61.³ She was buried at Old Holcomb Cemetery, Huntington Twp., Gallia Co., OH.

     Ann(a) Fowler was born on 3 June 1724.¹ She was the daughter of Jonathan Fowler and Catherine Marshall. Ann(a) Fowler married Enoch Holcombe, son of Capt. Thomas Holcombe and Rebecca Pettibone.

     Joanna Kellogg was born in 1756. She married Luther Holcombe, son of Matthew Holcombe and Unknown (?). Joanna Kellogg died on 3 April 1817 at Afton, NY.

     Not mentioned by Seaver. McCracken notes that church records say bapt. day before birth.

Bowman cross references to Lois Holcombe/Noah Cooley who was daughter of Matthew Holcombe.

Bowman has two Lois and Noah Cooley families.

The first one, her #8347, page 73, she does not continue.

#8347 is dau. of Deacon Azariah Holcombe and Hannah Loomis.

The second one, her # 4564, page 131, she does continue and shows six children including Philetus.

#4564 is dau. of Mathew Holcombe and Lois Drake.


McPherson lists a Lois as her # A-8-3-4-9 on page 209.1 and shows a marriage to Ensign Noah Cooley with all six children.

McPherson lists a Lois as her # A-4-5-5-4 on page 65.1 and does not continue her.
Lois Holcombe was baptized on 24 October 1736 at Windsor, Hartford Co., CT. She was born on 25 October 1736 at Windsor, Hartford Co., CT. She was the daughter of Matthew Holcombe and Lydia Drake. Lois Holcombe died in 1827.

     Not mentioned by Seaver. Lydia Holcombe was born on 21 February 1744/45.² She was the daughter of Matthew Holcombe and Lydia Drake.

     Not mentioned by Seaver. Clymena Holcombe was born on 13 April 1747. She was the daughter of Matthew Holcombe and Unknown (?).

     Almira Holcombe was born on 27 August 1803. She was the daughter of Robert Holcombe and Anna Burral. Almira Holcombe died in March 1854 at age 50.

     Charles Holcombe was born on 5 June 1807. He was the son of Robert Holcombe and Anna Burral. Charles Holcombe died in September 1827 at age 20.

     Eben T. Holcombe was born on 12 September 1812. He was the son of Robert Holcombe and Fanny Chamberlain.

     Delia Holcombe was born on 13 February 1814. She was the daughter of Robert Holcombe and Fanny Chamberlain.

     Ann Holcombe was born on 1 May 1816. She was the daughter of Robert Holcombe and Fanny Chamberlain.

     Elizabeth Holcombe was born on 20 March 1818. She was the daughter of Robert Holcombe and Fanny Chamberlain. Elizabeth Holcombe died on 25 June 1837 at age 19.

     Abbie Holcombe was born on 15 September 1820. She was the daughter of Robert Holcombe and Fanny Chamberlain.

     Julia M. Holcombe was born on 23 February 1822. She was the daughter of Robert Holcombe and Fanny Chamberlain.

     Sarah L. Holcombe was born on 14 February 1824. She was the daughter of Robert Holcombe and Fanny Chamberlain.

     Lucretia E. Holcombe was born on 18 May 1826. She was the daughter of Robert Holcombe and Fanny Chamberlain. Lucretia E. Holcombe died on 26 April 1845 at age 18.

     Per Seaver, lived in St. Barington, Mass; kept a hotel and had a millinery estab. in Bridgeport, 34 Canaan St. Cornelia Holcombe was born in 1828. She was the daughter of Robert Holcombe and Fanny Chamberlain.

     Adopted. Frank W. Holcombe was born on 11 September 1845. He was adopted after 11 September 1845. He was the son of Robert Holcombe and Fanny Chamberlain.

     Martin Holcombe was born on 27 May 1753.² He was the son of Lt. Martin Holcombe and Christian Winchell. Martin Holcombe married Hannah Alford, daughter of Jonathan Alvord and Charity Thrall.

     Christina Holcombe was born on 17 February 1755. She was the daughter of Lt. Martin Holcombe and Christian Winchell. Christina Holcombe married Isaac Griswold, son of Isaac Griswold and Mindwell Phelps. Christina Holcombe died on 6 December 1831 at age 76.

     Died unmarried according to Seaver. Elizabeth Holcombe was born on 14 February 1757. She was the daughter of Lt. Martin Holcombe and Christian Winchell. Elizabeth Holcombe died on 17 September 1826 at age 69.

     The Josephs here are confused. Joseph (McPherson A-6-7-5-4) is confused with his cousin Joseph (Bowman 6763).

McPherson doesn't list a 6th child of Joseph and Mary Winchell (A-6-7-6?). Joseph Holcombe III was born on 20 January 1759. He was the son of Lt. Martin Holcombe and Christian Winchell. Joseph Holcombe III married Olive Marshall, daughter of Deacon David Marshall and Naomi Griswold, on 15 January 1778.

     Olive Marshall was born on 19 October 1766. She was the daughter of Deacon David Marshall and Naomi Griswold. Olive Marshall married Joseph Holcombe III, son of Lt. Martin Holcombe and Christian Winchell, on 15 January 1778.

     Marriage information supplied to McCracken by Dr. Thomas H. Roderick of Bar Harbor, ME, her descendant.

Seaver lists the second marriage, McCracken does not. Mary Holcombe was born on 12 April 1761. She was the daughter of Lt. Martin Holcombe and Christian Winchell.

     McCracken jokes that Martin's knowledge of Classical mythology was not very precise. Medusa Holcombe was born on 17 February 1763. She was the daughter of Lt. Martin Holcombe and Christian Winchell. Medusa Holcombe married Elisha Mather on 11 November 1783.

     Elisha Mather married Medusa Holcombe, daughter of Lt. Martin Holcombe and Christian Winchell, on 11 November 1783.

     Roderick Holcombe was born on 21 October 1764.⁴ He was the son of Lt. Martin Holcombe and Christian Winchell. Roderick Holcombe married Rebecca Winthrop, daughter of Fredrick Winthrop, on 23 August 1788.⁵ Roderick Holcombe was MOVE in 1799 at Ontario Co., NY. He died on 26 June 1852 at age 87.

Note that Seaver skips to page 227 and gives a long narrative on Roderick and his many children. In 1826 or 27 Roderick and Rebecca went to Holcombe Point on Canandaigua Lake, NY, to visit their son, Frederick Winthrop, who had previously moved to that section; they took with them their younger children Hiland, Medusa, Buell, Julia and Emily. They remained and build a home on the North side of Holcombe Point.

DAR record 26783.


Roderick and Rebecca were enumerated in the 1850 South Bristol, Ontario Co., NY federal census. He was 85, she was 79.

     Rebecca Winthrop was born in 1771. She was the daughter of Fredrick Winthrop. Rebecca Winthrop married Roderick Holcombe, son of Lt. Martin Holcombe and Christian Winchell, on 23 August 1788.¹

     Seaver lists 9 children of Lieutenant Martin, McCracken stops at 7.

Bowman lists Sophia Godard here and also with Jabez (Elihah, Capt. Nathaniel). In an e-mail she thinks that Sophia belongs to her #81175 and Ann Hosmer belongs with her #6758.

McPherson lists Jabez, son of Elijah on page 115, her A-8-1-1-9-4; who married Sophia Goddard; on page 100, her A-6-7-5-8, she lists Jabez, son of Martin who married Annie Hosmer.

Stiles has a note from William Frederick Holcombe "Jabez (son of Martin) of Poquonnoc, married Anne Hosmer of Hartland, Conn., 27 Nov., 1805. Hiram (son of Jabez who was son of Martin), married Maria Latham, 27 March, 1827; went to Illinois. Jabez Holcombe was born on 16 May 1766. He was the son of Lt. Martin Holcombe and Christian Winchell. Jabez Holcombe married Anne Hosmer on 27 November 1805 at Wintonbury, Hartford Co., CT. Jabez Holcombe died in 1843.

     Anne Hosmer married Jabez Holcombe, son of Lt. Martin Holcombe and Christian Winchell, on 27 November 1805 at Wintonbury, Hartford Co., CT.

     Children are listed in Weir. Hermaz Holcombe was born on 4 February 1768. He was the son of Lt. Martin Holcombe and Christian Winchell. Hermaz Holcombe married Lucy Alford, daughter of Joseph Alvord and Lucy Griswold.³

     Lucy Alford was born. She was the daughter of Joseph Alvord and Lucy Griswold.¹ Lucy Alford married Hermaz Holcombe, son of Lt. Martin Holcombe and Christian Winchell.²

     Hannah Alford was born on 7 April 1759. She was the daughter of Jonathan Alvord and Charity Thrall. Hannah Alford married Martin Holcombe, son of Lt. Martin Holcombe and Christian Winchell.

     Helena Holcombe was the daughter of Martin Holcombe and Hannah Alford.

     Alcedora Holcombe was the daughter of Martin Holcombe and Hannah Alford.