The collection provides genealogical information on the Holmes family, especially Civil War veterans, and general information, mostly through photographs of the Gratiot County Herald newspaper, documenting families and life in Gratiot County in the early 1900s.
Biography:
Fred (O. Frederick) Howes, was born on June 27, 1914 in Ithaca, Gratiot County, Michigan, the son of George and Gladys (Sholtz) Howes. He graduated from Ithaca schools and attended Central State Teachers College, now Central Michigan University. On September 15, 1940 he married Celia Beracy. Together they had four children: Mrs. Janet Zimmerman, Fred, Jr., Tom, and Richard Howes. Fred was a 30-year employee of the Davis Company and a 33-year member of the Ithaca Fire Dept., of which he became chief. He was also active on several Ithaca social and recreational organizations. Locally, Fred was known as “Mr. Ithaca” for his love of the area’s history. In 1973, at the age of 59 Fred died. He was survived by his wife and children, his mother, Mrs. Gladys Howes, his brother, William, and sister, Mrs. Dorothy Socia. (This information is from his 1973 obituary.)
Myron R. Holmes was born on April 3, 1830. He married Caroline J. Marshall (December 16, 1830-May 4, 1901?) on October 23, 1853. They had two daughters: Rosa Ida (October 15, 1856-June 4, 1941) and Violet Dora (April 4, 1863- ).The family lived in North Star, Gratiot County, Michigan. On August 14, 1862, Myron enlisted as a Corporal in Company D, 26th Michigan Volunteers (Infantry) at the age of 32. He died of disease in the regimental hospital at Brandy Station, Virginia, on December 10, 1863. Ida Holmes eventually married 1) Charles Wilson (died 1887) and 2) Henry Kinsey (died 1925) and had two children. (The Civil War information is from the regimental history. The other information is from the collection.)
Charles S. Gilbert enlisted as a Corporal in Company E, Michigan 5th Cavalry at Memphis, St. Clair County, Michigan. He was mustered on August 27, 1862 and honorably discharged at Detroit on February 13, 1863. After the war, he lived in Memphis, Michigan. (The Civil War information is from the regimental history. The other information is from the collection.)
