Joe H HOLCOMB (VETERAN CSA)

CAPTAIN
Company F 4th Arkansas Cavalry
Civil War Confederate
November 2, 1825 - August 19, 1904

*Obituary
The Springdale News
Tuesday, August 23, 1904

HOLCOMB, Jo - The final summons came for Uncle Jo Holcomb Friday night and at 10:30 o'clock, attended by his daughter, Mrs. Dr. E.F. Ellis, and his son, Bruce, he quietly and peacefully passed away. His death occurred at Fayetteville at the home of his daughter where he was making his home. His death was sudden and unexpected as he had been feeling as well as usual on Friday and was able to be up and around. For the past few weeks he seemed to be going down but no one suspected the end was so near. After supper Friday evening he told his daughter that he believed there was something wrong with his heart and requested that she call in a physician, Dr. Ellis having gone to answer a call elsewhere. She did so and after an examination the physician expressed the opinion that there was nothing wrong with his heart and it was only his stomach, which had been bothering him some of late. Mrs. Ellis 'phoned for her brother Bruce to come and spend the night with them. Just as they were on the point of retiring Uncle Jo called to Bruce that there was something wrong with him. On reaching his side his son saw that the end was near and soon it was all over. The faint flickering glow had been forever dimmed and a useful and vigorous life had ended. There was no pain, no struggle - a simple, peaceful transition. The remains were brought out from Fayetteville on the afternoon train Saturday and were met at the depot by a detail from the Masonic lodge and escorted to the residence of J.P. Deaver. Funeral services were held at the South Methodist Church Sunday afternoon at 2 o'clock, conducted by Rev. Steele, pastor of the South Methodist church at Fayetteville, assisted by Rev. J.W. House, local pastor. The remains were taken to Bluff Cemetery where they were interred according to the Masonic ritual, members from Fayetteville lodge participating in the services. A large crowd attended the services, both at the church and at the cemetery. Jo Holcomb was born in Fulton County, Illinois November 2, 1825, being a member of a family of fourteen children, the parents of whom were John and Dorotha (Wilbanks) Holcomb. At an early age the subject of this sketch moved with his parents to Indiana and after a residence of four years in that state came to Arkansas, locating in the southern part of Washington County. In 1843 the family came to this vicinity and purchased 600 acres of land on which is now located the town of Springdale. When about nineteen years of age the deceased went to Fayetteville where he attended school and was employed as deputy in the office of circuit clerk. Later on he clerked in the mercantile establishment of S.K. Stone and after following this occupation for some time he purchased a half interest in the business. He continued this until the breaking out of the civil war when he enlisted in the Confederate Army and served until Lee's surrender. He then located at Mineral Springs, which is now in Hempstead County, and laid out the town and for four years was engaged in the mercantile business here. On December 12, 1860 he was united in marriage to Miss Cener Boone and to them one son, Herbert, was born, who died December 24, 18_ at Fayetteville, leaving a wife and one son, who now reside in Springdale. Mrs. Holcomb died June 11, 1867 while they were still residing in Hempstead County. In 1870 Mr. Holcomb returned to Washington County and purchased from his father the old homestead, the residence being located a short distance east of where now stands the woolen mills. This purchase included the plat of the town of Shiloh, (so named from the church of that name) which was laid out by his father in July 1868. The lots were located near where now stands the Primitive Baptist Church and the first store was on the corner north of the residence of Dr. Young. In 1872 he was elected circuit clerk of Washington County, a position he held for four years, at the end of which time he returned to his farm here. In the year 1872, desiring to have a post office established here, he changed the name of the town to Springdale. The people of Elm Springs, who had had a post office since 1848, strenuously opposed a post office here as they foresaw a possible rival, but Mr. Holcomb succeeded in his efforts and the office was established. This has since been the home of the deceased until a few years ago he moved to Fayetteville in order that his children might have the advantage of the State University. On May 25, 1869, in Hempstead County, he was united in marriage to Mrs. Belle S. DuPree, who died at Fayetteville May 30, 1898. As a result of their union there were four children. Cener, now Mrs. Dr. Ellis, Bruce, Jo Belle and George R., all of whom are living and all reside at Fayetteville except Miss Jo Belle, who, for the past year, has made her home with Mr. and Mrs. J.P. Deaver in Springdale. There were in the family two other children, Jas. W. and Emma DuPree, the result of Mrs. Holcomb's first marriage. The former resides at Paris, Texas and the latter, Mrs. J.P. Deaver, is a resident of Springdale. Besides the foregoing deceased leaves two brothers, S.M., living in Texas, John H., residing east of Springdale, and four sisters, Mrs. Martha Bynum whose home is in Sayre, Oklahoma, Mrs. Alpha Smiley, residing west of Springdale, Mrs. Ellen Walden, who is at Pittson, Ark., and Mrs. Dollie Bynum, who resides in the Indian Territory. There are numerous other surviving relatives. Although reared in the home of a Primitive Baptist minister Mr. Holcomb at an early age united with the Methodist Church of which he remained a member until the end. Since his early youth he has also been a member of the Masonic fraternity. A history of Uncle Jo Holcomb's life must to a certain extent be a history of the town of Springdale, for the two are closely linked, so much so that he has often, and not inappropriately, been referred to as "the father of Springdale." No man ever did so much for the town as he and he often sacrificed his own personal interests for the benefit of the town and community. It was mainly through his efforts that the county court issued an order on April 1, 1878, incorporating the town, and it was in accordance with the eternal fitness of things that he should have been the first mayor of Springdale, having been elected June 14, 1879. When the railroad was constructed through this section in 1880/81, he gave largely of his time and means to have the road built through Springdale, donating land for depot site and giving the company considerable land in addition. The business portion of the town then
surrounded what is now known as the city park, and in order to move the business to its present site he gave a number of lots away to those who would erect business houses. He erected the first brick business house in the town which is now occupied by W.G. Ownbey. With the coming of the railroad he felt that Springdale should have a newspaper and in 1882 induced O.C. Ludwig to come here from Alabama and begin the publication of the Springdale Enterprise. He was engaged in various enterprises here and when he felt that the town needed anything he planned to secure it. When Siloam Springs was first discovered and there was considerable travel to that place, he established a hack line from here to there in order to divert travel through Springdale; he opened up a hotel, put in a livery barn and in fact was interested in every movement calculated to benefit the community. Mr. Holcomb was a believer in schools and churches. He purchased the literature and organized the first Sunday School ever in Springdale. It was held in a building a short distance northwest of where the Primitive Baptist church now stands. His interest in education was shown when he at one time employed a teacher at his own expense to come here. The school was conducted at Mr. Holcomb's residence and the teacher was J.C. Floyd, at present the Democratic nominee for congress in this district. This article might be continued along this line almost indefinitely but enough has been given to show the character of the man. While his influence was on the right side of every question affecting the welfare of the public, he was broad guaged and liberal in all things. During his career he was at times worth considerable money but he did not strive for wealth for the selfish pleasure of possessing it, but for the good it might enable him to do. He gave freely when called upon and there are not a few in this community to whom he has in times past extended the helping hand. As a husband and father he was kind, devoted and self sacrificing. In his relations with the public he was courteous and considerate. While he was outspoken in all things he possessed that rare faculty of impressing his views upon others without giving offense. Of late years Uncle Jo has taken no active part in business matters but has rather devoted his time to arranging his affairs for the end. His house was in order; he was simply waiting and when the summons came he was ready to go. He has fought a good fight, he has kept the faith and is now enjoying the fruits of a well-spent life. Peace, sweet peace, to his memory.

*Obituary
The Springdale News
Tuesday, August 23, 1904

J.W. DuPree came up from Paris, Texas and attended the funeral of Uncle Jo Holcomb.

*Obituary
Prairie Grove Herald
Thursday, August 25, 1904

Mr. Joseph Holcomb, familiarly known as “Uncle Joe,” died at the home of his daughter, Mrs. E.F. Ellis, in Fayetteville, at 10:30 o’clock Friday night. His death was sudden and unexpected. He had been indisposed for three days, but his condition was not regarded as serious. His physician had visited him at 9 o’clock Friday night but found no alarming symptoms. Mr. Holcomb was born in Illinois in 1825 and moved to this county in 1837. He was reared on a farm where Springdale now stands and was the founder of that thriving little city. He was a public spirited man, and in his younger days was a leader in his community. He is survived by four children, Mrs. E.F. Ellis, Bruce and George Holcomb and Miss Joe Belle Holcomb. The remains were taken to Springdale for burial.

*Source: Sons of Confederate Veterans, Washington County, Arkansas 2009
Compiled by William W Degge

Contributed on 11/21/10 by nailgal123
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Record #: 414401

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