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- Husband of 3B363232. Frances D. Bassett.She married William E. Holmes, son of John A. and Rachel B. (Lindsley) Holmes, on 9 Jan 1866. He was born 27 Sep 1836 in Hamden.
BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW
THE LEADING CITIZENS OF DELAWARE COUNTY
(1895)
William E. Holmes, one of the most successful and best-known business men of Downsville, in the town of Colchester, was born in Hamden, September 27, 1836, a son of John A. and Rachel B. (Lindsley) Holmes. He is one of the a family of fourteen children, eleven of whom reached maturity - Orpah, James W., Ephraim L., Sarah A., Samuel O., William E., Mary A., Jonathan A., John N., Viola A., and Ellen.
John A. Holmes was born in 1803, and grew to manhood without the usual advantages of education. He learned the shoemaker's trade; but, having an active mind, and a desire to improve his circumstances, he devoted his evenings to study and reading until he felt qualified to enter mercantile life. He began in the lumber business and farming, and soon became one of the largest lumber dealers of Delaware County, being a self-made man with a clear head, good judgement, and remarkable business qualifications. He accumulated a comfortable fortune, owning at one time over eight hundred acres. He purchased of Jackson Merrill the farm now known as the Hawley place; and here he lived with his wife, Rachel Lindsley, a daughter of Nehemiah and Mary (Guildersleeve) Lindsley. Nehemiah Lindsley moved to Delaware County in 1797, and operated a tannery in company with Isaac Wilson, becoming the possessor of about six hundred acres of land in Lindsley Hollow, where he was an industrious and
successful farmer. Mr. and Mrs. Lindsley were the parents of ten children - David, Ira, Samuel, Ezra, Hannah, Agar, Rachel, Abigail, Curys G., and Sarah - all of whom have passed away. The father of this family died August 8, 1835; and his wife's death occurred December 30, 1850. Mr. Lindsley was a Whig, and both he and his wife were members of thePresbyterian church. The family of Mr. Holmes lived on the farm until his death, January 25, 1865. He was a Republican, and a member of the
Presbyterian church. William E. Holmes grew up on his father's farm, and was educated at the Franklin Literary Institute. He adopted the vocation of a teacher, receiving the first term twenty-five dollars a month and board. The fourth year his salary had been increased to fifty dollars a month and expenses. At the close of that time he enlisted in Company K, One Hundred and Forty-fourth New York Volunteers, and was discharged in March, 1863, re-enlisting in September, 1864, and serving until the close of the war. He was First Lieutenant in the First New York Volunteers, and took part in the engagements at Honey Hill and Bull's Bay. On returning home Mr. Holmes entered mercantile life in Downsvill opposite the present Presbyterian church. In 1868 he erected a store on the site now occupied by him, and started a general store, which he enlarged in 1890, making it fifty by seventy feet, three stories high. He and his two sons, Augustus B. and Charles J., now compose the firm, which carries a large stock of groceries, dry goods, furnishing goods, and agricultural implements. The business of this enterprising firm is constantly increasing. The third floor of the building is rented to the Masons and other societies.
January 9, 1866, Mr. Holmes married Miss Frances D. Bassett, a daughter of Philip and Margaret (Hitt) Bassett. Philip Bassett was born January 7, 1804, and died July 27, 1866. February 25, 1835, he married Margaret Hitt, born December 16, 1802, and died November 9, 1849. They were the parents of two children: Frances D., born October 25, 1842; and George P. After the death of his first wife Philip Bassett married Maria L. Barbour, December 24, 1851. Mr. and Mrs. William Holmes have had four children: Augustus B., born December 28, 1868; Charles J., born December 9, 1870; William E., born January 13, 1876, and died February 16, 1879; George S., born February 14, 1881. Charles J. married Lina M. Warren, June 20, 1894, and still resides with his parents. Mr. Holmes is the owner of the saw-mill and the adjoining land, known as the Downs tannery site, and in company with his son George, engages extensively in the manufacture of shingles, laths, and other lumber. He also possesses five hudnred acres of land in different parts of Colchester. He rents his farms, and operates four dairies, owning one hundred cows and fifteen teams. Each and every part of his various enterprises receives his personal attention, and it is by this means that his success has been so remarkable.
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Bassett Family Association Database
1836 - 