Edwin Holmes

Edwin Holmes, born April 9,1832, at Hyde, near Manchester, England, is the son of Eli and Maria (Baily) Holmes, both natives of that country. At the age of fifteen years he bound himself apprentice to Captain Jacob Gillis, of the ship "Queen," bound for Mobile, and served on the ocean until March, 1849, when he bid farewell to the sea at New Orleans, and by April was at Canton, Ill. There he engaged in mining for eight years. He married Miss Salina, daughter of Abram and Ann Savill all natives of England. In 1860 he purchased land in this county, on which they resided until August 12, 1862, when he enlisted in Company B, One-hundred-and-twelfth Illinois Infantry, and aided to make the record credited to that command as given in the military chapter, in which also his own military record is given. He was wounded at Cleveland, Tenn., made prisoner, hauled to Dalton, Ga., from Dalton to Cassville, thence to Atlanta in January, 1863, suffered all the horrors of rebel treatment there, and the even worse horrors of Andersonville, to which he was transferred in April. On September 28th, the third report of exchange of prisoners was circulated, and this time there was some foundation, for he, with others, was removed to Charleston; but the rebel scourge was cruel. There the Union prisoners were kept under fire of the Union guns, and ultimately moved back into the country to experience the terrors of Florence. After fourteen months and twelve days of the vilest treatment which men could inflict on a wounded and sick man, he was released November 30, 1864. The forty acres which he purchased in 1860 now claimed his attention. This tract he managed so well that he has since added sixty acres to it, and erected a substantial residence together with other buildings. In politics he is Republican; in religion, non-denominational, but a supporter of Christian churches; in society affairs he is a member of James Jackson Post, G. A. P., and for three years past has served as Post Surgeon. In township affairs he has held several offices, and served as director of his school district. Of four children born to Mr. and Mrs. Holmes, three are living, namely : Maria A., wife of W. C. Bocock; Mrs. Walter Swetts, of Marshall county; and Alfred E., residing at home. (Vide military cheater.)