Shaver, F. A., Arthur P. Rose, R. F. Steele, and A. E. Adams, compilers.  "An
Illustrated History of Central Oregon." ("Embracing Wasco, Sherman, Gilliam,
Wheeler, Crook, Lake, & Klamath Counties")  Spokane, WA: Western Historical
Publishing Co., 1905.  p. 541.

SAMUEL B. HOLMES

     one of the extensive farmers of Sherman county, where he resides, ten miles
south of Grass Valley, was born in Nova Scotia, December 25, 1857.  He is the
son of William and Deborah (Roberts) Holmes, both natives of Nova Scotia, and
the parents of both were English. William Holmes was by trade a cooper, and he
died in Nova Scotia, May 26, 1903. The mother at present resides in Nova Scotia.
     It was in Nova Scotia that our subject was reared until 1880, receiving a
fair education in the neighboring district schools, and assisting his parents on
the farm. That year he migrated to Leadville, Colorado, during the mining
excitement.which that season stampeded so many from the east. Here Mr. Holmes
engaged in general teaming until the spring of 1883, when he started across the
country, his destination being, Puget Sound. Two years were passed in Tacoma in
teaming and in the summer of 1885 he came to, his present location in Sherman
county, and in October secured some land under the homestead law, purchased more
until he had increased his holdings to one thousand two hundred acres, to, which
he added by rental three hundred and, twenty acres. At the present writing he
cultivates about seven hundred acres, wintering seventy-five head of cattle and
some horses and hogs.
     August 15, 1889, at Nicholville, New York, our subject was married to
Carrie Sherar, niece of Joseph H. Sherar, of Sherar Bridge, Wasco county,
Oregon, mentioned elsewhere. Her father, James Sherar, was a native of Ireland,
and died in 1881 at Nicholville, New York. The mother, Elizabeth (Wright)
Sherar, also a native of Ireland, died at Nicholville in 1892. James Sherar was
engaged in the general merchandise business and was a well-to-do, highly
respected and prominent citizen.
     Our subject has eight brothers: Henry, an Alaska mining man ; Charles,
engaged in the iron business in Nova Scotia ; Thomas, a physician, practicing in
Oakland, California ; Isaac, a civil engineer in Laramie, Wyoming; Alfred, of
Reno, Nevada ; Sovereign ; Harvey, at home in Nova Scotia; and Weymouth, a
carpenter of Oakland, California. He has one sister, Sadie A., single., who has
been a trained nurse for fourteen years, now living in Boston, Massachusetts.
Mrs. Holmes has one brother, Henry, a drayman, residing at Nicholville, New
York.
     Our subject is a member of the A. O. U. W.,. and the M. W. A., of Kent,
Sherman county. Politically he is a Republican and frequently a delegate to
county conventions ; fairly active, but is not an aspirant for political
preferment. At present he is clerk of school district No. 25, Sherman county. To
Mr. and Mrs. Holmes have been born five children : Mabel, aged fourteen ;
Cassie, twelve ; Millie, ten ; Lela, eight, and Willie, four.
     Mr. Holmes is quite an extensive farmer and a sagacious business man ;
popular with all while he and his estimable wife are highly esteemed in the
community in which they have made their home.


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Submitted to the Oregon Bios. Project in July 2010 by Diana Smith.  Submitter
has no additional information about the person(s) or family mentioned above.