BIO: Robert E. HOLMES, Huntingdon County, PA Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by JO Copyright 2008. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/pafiles.htm ********************************************************** __________________________________________________________________ Commemorative Biographical Encyclopedia of the Juniata Valley: Comprising the Counties of Huntingdon, Mifflin, Juniata and Perry, Pennsylvania, Containing Sketches of Prominent and Representative Citizens and Many of the Early Settlers. Chambersburg, Pa.: J. M. Runk & Co., 1897, pages 134-135. __________________________________________________________________ R. E. HOLMES, M.D., Spruce Creek, Huntingdon county, Pa., was born May 4, 1860, on a farm near Jacksonville, Centre county. He is a son of James H. and Emily (McKibben) Holmes. James H. Holmes was born on the old homestead in Centre county, Pa., and grew up to the life and work of a farmer; that vocation he followed until a few years ago, when he relinquished active business, and removed to State College, where he and his wife now reside. His politics are those of the Republican party. The children of Mr. and Mrs. James H. Holmes are: two not named, having died in early infancy; Dr. R. E.; Mary (Mrs. Albert Deal), of State College, Pa.; Olivia, deceased, wife of Prof. William Stewart; Irving, resides at State College; John L., of State College; James H., resides with his father; Emma; and Mabel. Mr. Holmes is a member of the Presbyterian church. Until he had nearly attained his majority, Dr. R. E. Holmes continued to attend the common schools of his native place, and to devote his vacations and other unoccupied time to the work of his father's farm. In 1882, when in his twenty-second year, he entered Pennsylvania State College, in Centre county, above Bellefonte, and spent there four years, not quite consecutively. At intervals he spent one year in teaching school and in doing other work. His college course completed, he became confidential clerk to a commission merchant of Philadelphia, and retained the position for five years. Out of his earnings in this capacity, young Holmes saved enough to pay for his tuition in the medical schools. He began the study of the healing art with a professor of a Philadelphia college as his preceptor, and a year later entered the Eclectic College of Medicine at Cincinnati, Ohio, from which he graduated at the end of three years. He remained six months longer at the college, with his preceptor, and then came to Spruce Creek, where he has ever since resided. He has an extensive practice, and is socially and personally esteemed. Dr. Holmes is a Republican. Dr. R. E. Holmes was married in Lock Haven, Pa., to Annie, daughter of D. K. Miller, a merchant of that town. Two years after their marriage, she died, leaving one child, Ruth. Dr. Holmes was again married, in Bloomsburg, Columbia county, Pa., March 24, 1896, to Ada, daughter of Mrs. Mary Lucas, a widow lady. Dr. Holmes is a member of the Presbyterian church. 1870 Ferguson Township, Centre County census - James Holmes, 38 Emely Holmes, 35 Robert Holmes, 11 Mary Holmes, 9 Ollive Holmes, 7 Irvin Holmes, 5 Leard? Holmes, 2