Gallipolis journal. [volume] (Gallipolis, Ohio) 1837-1919, 1870-04-28
HISTORICAL SKETCHES.
No. Z.
GEN. SAMUEL r. HoLcomB.

the pleasure that in the old time was
wont to fill them when they met the
strong, commanding form and looked
upon the pleasant face of one OF the
most prominent men of Gallia coun-
ty, one who grew up with her from
her infancy, whose life and interest
have ever been so nearly identical
with hers, that his biography is nee
essarily history of the county in
which he lived. For he was present
and an active worker in every crea-
tive move in the formation and
growth of the county, and his noble
disinterestedness, his love of coun
try and devotion to her interests,
brought to him all honor and love.
He was born in Columbia county,
New York, February 28th, 1717.-
His fathers name was Zephaniah,
and was at the the time of his birth,
and during the whole war soldier
in the Revolution. His mothers
maiden name was Taphena Niles
She died two months after his birth,
and thus orphsned at tender age,
he became the charge of his grand
parents, who took him to their hom e
and raised him. He received limi-
ted education, the privations and
losses attendant upon the war having
well nigh extinguished all educa-
tional interests. His youth. and, in
deed nearly his whole life was spent
upon farm, where he became an
adept in the noble art of agriculture,
an art without which all other arts
are useless, After arriving at ma
turity he taught school during the
winter season of two or three years.
In January 1900, at the age of %,
Gen. Holcomb came to Gallipolis,
thus becoming one of the first Eng
Iish settlers of Gallis county. He
lived in the block house with Col.
Stafford two years, during which
time he formed the acquaintance of
al the prominent French colonists,
10 whom he was of great service, and
oy whom he was highly esteemed
ae helped to saw the boards for the
irst plank floor ever laid in CALI
polls. This work was performed
With the old fashioned suhip-saaU.
January 10th, 1902, he united in
marriage with Sarah, daughter of
John Ewing. This union proved to
De in every respect a very happy
one. She was the mother of ten
children. She was a woman of no
ordinary ability, and was eminently
itted to share with her husband all
he dangers and privations of set
ling a new country in the wilder
ess. Soon after this event he
1oved to Virginia and settled in
Iercer's bottom, opposite Gallipolis.
Iere he lived two years, and here he
ays he was made an abolitionist-
! negro having been hung at
for murder, it fell upon
he county, according to the existing
AVIS, to indemnify the owner for his
oss. This was raised by poll tax.
lis tax was tWo dollars and a halt,
nd as he had to borrow the money
r go to Jail, he finally did so, and
1ade rails at fifty cents per hundred
D pay the debt AS was might be
this was poor school in
'hich 10 engender slavery SEN
lments, During his residence in
'irginia his eldest son, Anselm was
orn. About this time he became
cquainted with a hunter named
gorge Tyler. Tyler told him that
e had selected q farm for each of
lem, on the Ethepetha, or Raccoon 1
'eek. Accordingly, on the 9th of
pril, 1905, he took possession OF the
losen lands, which lay in Hunting
m Tp., where the village of Vinton
ow is. Here he lived in a camp,
Id, aided by his friend Tyler, pro-
,eded to clear the first land, and
lilt the first house, with one excep-
on, in Huntington township. Ty-
r had put up cabin the proceed
e autumn. Tyler had selected
lree farms. His own, which he
amed ''Beech bottom" the farm
,w owned by Mr.. Viers, William
lenn's, called "Cherry BOTTOM"
Id Gen. Holcomb's, called "Wal-
1T bottom" These were all named Il
ON the prevalent quality of the 6
mber. a
At this time bears, panthers, !"
Olives and other wild animals Il
'ounded. which often made depre. :
Itions on the stock. Once, during .
8 absence from the house, large =
ar, hungry he bear, attacked
owe of hogs belonging to Gen.
and commenced devour- j
g a large sow. The rest of the Il
owe, distracted with terror, rush n
directly TO the house, and ran in, o.
erturning the tables, chairs, and A
e cradle. The mother threw her in
liuren on tho had Einollu rnoyod j,