Ionia County MI Archives Obituaries.....Holcomb, Lewis J. 1882
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Ionia Sentinel, 9 Mar 1882

Orleans – Death of Louis J. Holcomb – The Funeral Services.

Died. – At his home in Orleans, of pneumonia, March 3, 1882, after a week’s
illness, Mr. Lewis J. Holcomb, aged 77 years.  His funeral was attended by about
400 people at the Green church on Monday, 6th inst.  An excellent sermon was
preached by Rev. A.A. Brown of Greenville, and his body was consigned to the
grave by the masonic fraternity, of which she was an honored member.  The
following biographical sketch was read at the funeral, and is published by request:

Lewis J. Holcomb, was born in North Canaan, Conn., and hence was in his
seventy-eighth year.  He was married to Miss Lucy A. McKeene Oct. 6, 1830, and
about three years subsequent he removed with his family from his native town to
Sheldon, Wyoming county, N.Y.in 1845 he followed the stream of emigration
westward, and made his way through the wilderness of Michigan to this township,
then in a wild state, and located the farm on which he resided until the time of
his death.  He was one of the most industrious of the early pioneers, and by his
energy and good management, in the face of many adverse circumstances, he made
for himself a comfortable home.  Father Holcomb made profession of religion in
early life and united with the Congregational church, with which he walked in
worthy fellowship until his migration to this state.  Here he felt the need of
religious privileges, and heartily cooperated with the early pioneer ministers
in establishing regular worship.  These early ministers were of the M.E. church,
and he united heartily with other christian people in the neighborhood and
organizing the first class, and for many years, until the settlement of a
minister in their midst, his house was the home of the ministers of Christ.  His
seal in the cause of the Master was abated only in death.

At 22 years of age he affiliated with the fraternity of F & AM, and when he
removed to this county he was one of the first to aid in establishing a lodge in
Ionia, and remained a faithful and worthy member until the Orleans lodge was
constituted, when he transferred his membership to this lodge nearer his home. 
He was also a worthy Royal Arch mason.  He loved masonry for its beautiful moral
lessons, and was zealous in the maintenance of its exalted virtues.  And his
life was replete with justice, benevolence, temperance and brotherly love, which
are truly masonic as well as christian virtues, and from this long life of
virtue we may gather masonic and christian lessons worthy our imitation.  As he
came down to his grave he drew that consolation that always comes from a well
spent life, and died in hope of a glorious immortality.  His health was
generally good, but on Thursday, February 23, he contracted a severe cold which
resulted in pneumonia.  The best medical skill could not arrest the progress of
the disease, and on Friday last he peacefully dipped his feet into the mystic
river, and, as we believe, by the benefit of a pass, a pure, blameless and
devoted life, he has gained admittance into that celestial lodge, that heavenly
city, where only joy and peace and health abide.  He leaves two children, Mr.
M.J. Holcomb, of Orleans, and Mrs. J. King, of Belding, to mourn his loss.  His
wife preceded him to the heavenly country by seven years.  Peace to his ashes.


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