My Genealogy Hound

MYRON HOLCOMB.
Myron Holcomb, a well-known citizen of Shawnee County, who has been superintendent of the large farm of his son-in-law, Professor E. A. Popenoe of the State Agricultural College, for the past six years, is also a survivor of the great Civil War. Mr. Holcomb was born in Greene County, Ohio, April 27, 1829, and is a son of Alonzo and Lucy (Morgan) Holcomb.

Mr. Holcomb’s ancestors came from Wales and settled in New England at a very early period. The family has been one noted for its loyalty and patriotism. James Holcomb, the grandfather, fought through the Revolution, and the same spirit led our subject and other members of his family to offer their lives and services in 1861-65. Alonzo and Lucy (Morgan) Holcomb had seven children, namely: Irene, deceased; Malinda, of Shawnee County; Zanthus, deceased; Myron, of this sketch; Ludolphus, member of a battery of artillery from Illinois in the Civil War, now in a soldiers’ home in that State; Henry C., of San Francisco; and Cornelia, of Topeka.

Our subject was 18 months old when his parents removed to Sangamon County, Illinois, and he was reared there on a farm until he was 24 years of age, when he went to Macon County, in the same State. In 1862 he enlisted for service in the Civil War, entering Company E, 116th Reg., Illinois Vol. Inf., under Capt. Lewis J. Eyman and Colonel Tupper. The regiment was sent to the Army of the Tennessee and saw hard service. Mr. Holcomb participated in the battles of Arkansas Post, siege of Vicksburg and the Atlanta campaign. After a furlough of 60 days, he rejoined his regiment at Raleigh, North Carolina, took part in the triumphant review at Washington, D. C., and was honorably discharged after almost three years of soldierly service. His record shows that on all occasions he proved himself obedient, cheerful and brave.

After the close of his army life, Mr. Holcomb went to McLean County, Illinois, where he worked at the carpenter’s trade until 1869 and then moved with his family to Topeka. Here he continued work at his trade, entered later into contracting and building and prospered in a material way. For the past six years he has been superintendent of Professor Popenoe’s large estate, the duties of the latter making his continued residence impossible. This farm consists of 187 acres and is mainly devoted to dairying, although not exclusively so. Under Mr. Holcomb’s careful supervision, every department of the farm is fully developed.

In 1852 Mr. Holcomb was married to Dorcas C. Winchell, who was born in Franklin County, New York, January 8, 1828, and is a daughter of Elijah and Dorcas Winchell. They have four children, viz.: O. A., of Topeka,, whose sketch will be found elsewhere in this volume; Carrie G., wife of Professor Popenoe; Elizabeth, wife of Benjamin Ost, of Los Angeles, California; and Mina E., wife of E. G. Miner, of Topeka.

Mr. Holcomb is one of the old and stanch Republicans, voting first for the Know Nothing candidates in the early days, but ever since steadfastly upholding Republican principles. He has never accepted political office, but has always done the full duty of a citizen. He is a member of the Ancient Order of United Workmen.