My Genealogy Hound

PROF. STEPHEN G. HOLCOMB, the efficient and capable Principal of the Percy schools, who is widely recognized as a successful instructor, claims Randolph County as the place of his nativity, his birth having here occurred on the 2d of March, 1860. He is the eldest child of R. J. and Susan (Wright) Holcomb, who were early settlers of this community. The former is a native of Pike County, Ill. His father died when he was quite young, and he then came with his mother to Randolph County, where he was reared and educated. He took up farming as his life work and has always followed that pursuit. He married Miss Wright, who came of an old Virginian family. Both Mr. and Mrs. Holcomb are now living and enjoy good health.

Our subject received his primary education in the district schools of his native county, which he attended through the winter season, while in the summer months he aided in the labors of the field. He remained upon the home farm until nineteen years of age, when he entered the high school of Sparta, there pursuing his studies for one year. At the age of twenty he began teaching in the district schools, and was thus employed for eight years, when he accepted the position of Principal of the schools of Baldwin, where he remained for five years. He then made a prospecting trip to Colorado, and after his return to Illinois, in February, 1892, he completed an unexpired term of school near Baldwin. His next employment was of a different nature. He became clerk of a dry-goods store in Baldwin, and continued thus engaged until September, 1893, when he was chosen Principal of the Percy schools. This position he is now filling, being ably assisted in his work by his wife, who is also an excellent instructor. During the months of vacation, he usually clerks in a drug store in Baldwin. In former years he took one course of medical lectures in St. Louis, Mo., but concluded to abandon medicine and cling to his chosen profession, that of teaching.

On the 3d of September, 1884, Mr. Holcomb was united in marriage with Miss Quint Hurst, whose parents were natives of Virginia, and thence removed to Randolph County, Ill. Her death occurred January 27, 1886, and on the 13th of August, 1889, Mr. Holcomb wedded Miss Ella Cox, who came of a family of South Carolina. She was called to the home beyond July 9, 1890. On the 14th of July, 1892, was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Holcomb and Miss Josie Dagner, a daughter of Henry and Mary (Harrison) Dagner, of Red Bud, Ill. One child graces this union, Wallace Penn, who is the pride and joy of the household.

Mr. and Mrs. Holcomb are both recognized as among the leading and most successful teachers of Randolph County, and the schools of Percy have been brought to a high standard of excellence through their untiring labors. With the Baptist Church they hold membership. Mr. Holcomb is a member of Kaskaskia Lodge No. 86, A. F. &A. M., and also belongs to Baldwin Lodge No. 797, I. O. O. F. He takes quite an active interest in political affairs, and supports the men and measures of the Democratic party. He is prominently spoken of for the office of County Superintendent, and should he be chosen to that position, we feel no hesitancy in saying that he will prove a capable and efficient officer. Those who have known him from boyhood are numbered among his staunchest friends, a fact which indicates an honorable and well spent life.