Biography of Lester L. Holcomb, 1902, Baker Co. Oregon: Surnames: Holcomb, Loomis, Evans, Jennings, Strayer, Reynolds.

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Transcribed for use in USGenWeb Archives by:
W. David Samuelsen - November 2001
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An Illustrated History of Baker, Grant, Malheur and Harney Counties, pub. 1902
by Western Historical Pub. Co. of Chicago. page 347

Lester L. Holcomb

This prominent farmer, mining man and political leader of the vicinity of
Richland was born in Rollersville, Ohio, on July 7, 1846. His parents, James
T. and Amanda (Loomis) Holcomb, natives respectively of Connecticut and Ohio,
were engaged in farming there and he lived with them until about twenty-two
years of age, being absent, however for four months during the Civil war as a
member of Company H, One Hundred and Sixty-ninth Ohio. When he became twenty-
two he gave inception to his independent career, engaging first in farming in
the commonwealth of his nativity. Later he moved to Central county, Kansas,
where he farmed about seven years, thereupon crossing the plains with horse
teams to Eagle valley, in Baker county. He made his advent into the country
during the Bannock war, when travel was exceedingly dangerous, but though the
trains ahead and behind his suffered losses in the conflicts with the Indians,
his train escaped uninjured.

For the first year Mr. Holcomb lived in the upper end of the valley. He then
took one hundred and twenty acres of land one and one-fourth miles east of
Richland postoffice, where he has ever since lived, engaged in general farming
and stock raising, at the same time giving some attention to mining ventures.
He owns several placer and quartz mines on Snake river.

Fraternally our subject is identified with Phil Kearney Post, No. 66, G.A.R.,
of Pine vlaley. In politics he is an ardent Republican, and in the councils of
his party he is quite active. He was one of the first justices of the peace in
Eagle valley, being elected first in 1880, and again two years later, while
his interest in the cause of education has made himprominent in the affairs of
the local school district.

On October 15, 1868, Mr. Holcomb married Miss Candace, daughter of Joseph H.
and Eleanor (Evans) Jennings, natives of the state of Ohio. To this union six
children have been born: Donna M., now Mrs. Strayer; Alta M., now Mrs.
Reynolds; James T, deceased; Addie, Noval and Linn, at home.

Mrs. Holcomb's father was a prominent man in the politics of his state, and in
the Civil war he did valiant service, first as a member of Company A., One
Hundred and Eleventh Ohio and later as captain of Company G, One Hundred and
Sixty-nine Ohio.