My Genealogy Hound

MRS. CHARLES HOLCOMB. Charles Holcomb (deceased), a prominent farmer and blacksmith of Abington and Cheltenham townships, was born in Cheltenham, near Ogontz, November 5, 1825. He was the son of Edward and Charlotte (Marple) Holcomb, his mother being the daughter of Joseph and Hannah Marple.

When Charles Holcomb was between six and seven years of age, his parents removed to Abington village. There he spent his boyhood days, and later learned the blacksmith trade with Isaac Rittenhouse, of Willow Grove. He established himself in business at the locality known as Abington Corner, remaining there until 1863, when he purchased twenty-seven acres of land in Moreland township, adding to it by further purchases until he had increased it to eighty-seven acres. For ten years he also engaged in blacksmithing at that place, but then relinquished that branch of his occupation, and thereafter devoted himself solely to farming. He died August 7, 1903. He married, at Hatboro, April 7, 1870, Maria L., born October 1, 1836, daughter of Zachary and Priscilla (Barnes) Francis. The couple had two children: John Edward, born May 1, 1872, and Mary Elizabeth, born March 13, 1875. The Holcombs are members of the Society of Friends.

Zachary Francis, father of Mrs. Holcomb, was born in Abington township in 1800. He was a farmer, and spent his entire life in that vicinity. He died September 10, 1868. Priscilla Barnes Francis, mother of Mrs. Holcomb, was born in Chester county, Pennsylvania. She was married in 1835. Their children: Maria L., Mrs. Holcomb; William; Mary Jane, wife of Jesse Webster.

Edward Holcomb, father of Charles Holcomb, was a native of New Jersey, where he was born in September, 1791, coming with his parents to Montgomery county, Pennsylvania, when he was but four years of age. He married Charlotte Marple in 1823. She had been previously married to a man named Hawkins. The children of Mr. and Mrs. Edward Holcomb: Charles, subject of this sketch; Elizabeth Jenkin, born in Abington, February 5, 1828, died July 2, 1869; John J. born September 2, 1830, married first, Emma Cowell, there being by this marriage two living children, viz.: Charles E. and Sarah, wife of James Rollinson. His second wife was Harriet Charloteen, by whom he had one child, Elizabeth C., they having also an adopted son, James Henry, who married Hannah Trank, deceased, they having two children, Charlotte, deceased, and Helen, wife of Howard Gilbert.