Randolph County IL Archives Biographies.....Holbrook, James C. 1817 - ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/il/ilfiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Joy Fisher http://www.rootsweb.com/~archreg/vols/00001.html#0000031 March 1, 2008, 6:29 pm Author: Biographical Publishing Co. (1894) MAJ. JAMES C. HOLBROOK- while Randolph County has much in the way of natural resources and commercial transactions to commend it to the public at large, the chief interest centres in the lives of those citizens who have achieved success for themselves, and at the same time benefited the community in which they reside. Prominent among these men is the subject of this sketch. Having come to the county in 1845, he has since that time taken an active part in laying the foundation for the present prosperity of his community. Our subject was born in Sherborn, Mass., May 27, 1817, and is a son of Clark and Betsey (Bullen) Holbrook. The father was a large sheep grower in his native place, and at the same time carried on business as a merchant. He was the son of James Holbrook, who was also a native of the above place in Massachusetts, and was of English descent. Our subject obtained his early education in the schools near his home, and later took a course of study in an academy at Brattleboro, Vt. It being his desire to become a lawyer, he began his legal studies in the office of Gov. William Bebb, of Hamilton, Ohio, to which place he went in 1836, and was graduated from the law school in Cincinnati about 1840. After being admitted to the Bar, Mr. Holbrook went to Hamilton, Ohio, where he engaged in the practice of his profession until 1845, the year of his advent into Sparta, this county. There he built up a large practice and remained until 1852, when lie came to Chester and opened up business in this city. In 1854 he represented his district on the Whig ticket in the Legislature. He was residing in Chester on the outbreak of the Civil War, and later was appointed Paymaster in the army by President Lincoln, continuing in this position until the close of the war in 1865. He then returned to Chester, and on account of ill health was obliged to discontinue his law practice. He was later elected Police Magistrate, and served eight years. Mr. Holbrook was married May 15, 1845, at Hamilton, Ohio, to Miss Eliza Isabella McDill. She was born in Hamilton, December 28, 1822, and was the daughter of the Rev. David and Lydia McDill, who were of Scotch descent. The maternal grandfather of Mrs. Holbrook, John McDannell, was a Colonel in the Revolutionary War. To our subject and his wife were born seven children. Their eldest son, a graduate of Monmouth College, and an attorneys t-law, died in his twenty-fifth year. Two other sons died in infancy. Clara, now Mrs. Henry Smith, is quite a noted lecturer on the science and laws of health, and in the fall of 1893 she lectured a week in Washington, D. C. She organized the Chautauqua Assembly in Chester, and has always been foremost in forwarding movements for the benefit and development of intellectual culture. She is now a widow, and lives with her children on a ranch in California. Edward is a druggist in Chester, and is regarded as one of the most skilled in his calling in this part of the state. Elizabeth, who died January 31, 1893, was a very talented young lady and was given a fine musical education. She also won a wide reputation as an authoress, and wrote a novel entitled "Old Kaskaskia Days," which was widely read. She was a young lady of great refinement and sweetness of manner, and of broad and liberal culture. Her active mind was always seeking new avenues of investigation and aiding in the enlargement of human understanding. Her great purity of heart and nobility of character were among the many charms which made her society sought by the best people in the community in which she dwelt. She was an indefatigable worker in the Columbian Society, and by her energy did much to help to make a proper showing for this old spot of historic interest. She was graduated with first honors at Monmouth College. Lydia, a lady of intelligence and culture, married James Reed, of Sparta, a mechanic for building bridges. Mr. Holbrook is a Democrat, and is a very popular man. He is generous and open-hearted and is ready at all times to do what he can to benefit both business and social circles. He and his wife are members of the Presbyterian Church. Additional Comments: Extracted from: Portrait and Biographical Record of Randolph, Jackson, Perry and Monroe Counties, Illinois Containing Biographical Sketches of Prominent and Representative Citizens of the Counties Together with Biographies and Portraits of All the Presidents of the United States and the Governors of the State of Illinois Chicago: Biographical Publishing Co. 1894 File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/il/randolph/bios/holbrook1412gbs.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.org/ilfiles/ File size: 5.2 Kb