Biographical Sketch of

Asa S. Holmes

Transcribed by Joan Benner for the Marquette Co WI Pages


Source: Portrait and Biographical Album of Green Lake, Marquette and Waushara Counties, Wisconsin, 
published 1890 by Acme Publishing Co., Chicago, Pages 406 - 407

Asa S. Holmes, deceased. Too great honor cannot be paid to the noble men and wmen who left comfortable homes in the 
East, and settled upon the wild prairies of the frontier, giving their time and attention to its development, and 
carrying on the work of progress, advancement and civilization until all the citizens speak with a just pride of Green 
Lake County. Mr. Holmes is honored among that honored class, and it gives us great pleasure to present  to the readers 
of this Album the history of his life work. He was born in Connecticut on the 23rd of November, 1808, and was the son 
of Nathan and Gratia (Woodard) Holmes. His father died when he was but five years of age, and he then went to live with 
his grandparents, who were residents of Connecticut. With them he remained until fourteen years of age, at which time 
he made his way to Genesee County, N. Y., and obtained employment with a farmer by the name of Marsh, in whose family 
he continued to make his home until after attaining his majority. His next place of residence was Erie County, N. Y., 
where he purchased a farm on the Indian reservation. Having now made some preparation for securing a home, he completed 
his arrangements by his marriage with Miss Sophia, daughter of Rodney and Polly (Wing) Day, the wedding taking place 
on the 14th of October, 1832.

The young couple began their domestic life in Erie County, but in 1844, emigrated to the West, and settled in Green 
Lake County, Wis., then a Territory. Mr. Holmes' first purchase of land consisted of a 40-acre tract. He had made 
the journey on foot from Green Bay to this county, and having worn a pair of light boots, the stones and sticks in 
his path cut the thin leather, and he arrived at his destination with bruised and bleeding feet. He endured all the 
trials and hardships incident to pioneer life, and for a time dark days overshadowed them, but industry and perseverance 
at length pierced the gloom, and the sun of prosperity began to shine upon them. As there was no house upon the land 
which he purchased, Mr. Holmes and his wife passed the nights with a brother, and in the meantime he hauled timber 
from Mackford, and built a little home 12 x 16 feet. There they began life in earnest. With characteristic energy, he 
began the development of his farm and after the forty acres had been broken and placed under cultivation, he added to 
the land from time to time until he had a fine farm of 200 acres, all under the highest cultivation. He took his grist 
to mill in Whitewater, and obtained provisions from Milwaukee, where he also sold the products of the farm. He lived 
to see the great changes which placed the county in its present advanced position, and none more willingly did his 
share than Mr. Holmes. At the time of his arrival there were no public roads, few school-houses, and these of the 
most primitive character, and the work of improving had been scarcely begun, but he entered heart and soul into the 
ardorous task of transformation and development, bearing no inconsiderable part in the great progress that has been 
made. His death occurred on the 27th of May, 1885, after a long life of usefulness. He was an upright, honorable 
citizen, fair and just in all his dealings, and was highly respected by those who knew him. 

Mr. and Mrs. Holmes were the parents of but one child, a daughter, Julia A., who became the wife of N. B. Millard, and 
died in 1858. The parents of Mrs. Holmes were both of old New England families, and unto them were born seven children, 
Sophia being the eldest. The other members of the family are: Stephen P., Horace S., Lydia A., Valentia E., Annette L., 
and George W.






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