Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1880-07-14
THOMAS HOLYOAKE.
The Dcath ofa Charitable and EstImable
Gentleman.

The Death ofa Charitable and Estlmabif
Gentleman.
For number of years past there ha
lived in this city quiet, unobtrusive man
known to but few but respected and honored
by all who had the pleasure of forming
his acquaintance. He was better known in
the house of mourning than he was in the
house of feasting, and hundreds in this city
who never knew the name of the living man,
will miss the benevolent oountenance OF
Thomas Holyoake, sho was yesterday con-
signed to the narrow house appointed for all
the living. There are but few of the readers
of the GLOBE who will recognize the name
as among their acquaintances, yet for years
past he has been resident Of the city.
He was man who made no acquaintances.
He formed friendship with select few, and
to those he endeared himself by his sterling
traits of character. man OF considerable
means, he used his wealth and his time in
relieving the poor and distressed without
ostentation. His name never appeared on a
subscription list for charitable purposes,
but more than one deserving charity is in
debted to "A Friend" for a substantial ad-
dition to its funds.
His life history is a romance. Without
going into particulars it is sufficient to say
he was born in Warwickshire, England, in
1914, and was consequently in the sixty
sixth year of his age at the time of his death.
He came to this country in 1886, mere
youth twenty two years of age. The first
acquaintance he made on landing in New
York city was Col. D. A. Robertson of this
city, then young business man in that city.
Their acquaintance ripened into a warm
friendship, which has existed from that
time to the day of his DEATH Mr.. Holyoake
engaged in the hardware business, and soon
succeeded in becoming the head of one of the
largest wholesale establishments in that
line in the United States. He established
branches at Natchez and at Memphis, and
short time before the war he closed business
and retired with large fortune, portion
0f which he afterwards lost. He made fre-
QuAnt visits to his home in England, but
although he never became a citizen of the
United States he was warmly attached to
this country, and always considered it his
home. In 1858 he paid st. Paul visit, and
spent several weeks with his valued friend
Col. Robertson. In 1865 his health began to
fail, and at the solicitation of Col. Robertson
he came to st. Paul for the benefit of his
health, and has ever since been resident
of this city. he brought with him consider
able means, which he invested in lands and
lots in this State and Wisconsin, and loaned
more or less on mortgage. He spent much
of his time in hunting, and the sick and af-
ficted are indebted to him for many
delicacies in the way of game, but few of
whom knew to whom they were under obli-
cations for the timely favors. He was mar
ried, but lost his wife within year after his
marriage, and this had 80 much to do with
his course of action in after life. About q
year ago his health began to fail, and for the
past two months he has been confined to his
room with organic disease of the liver and
kidneys. Some years ago he made his home
with ex-Sheriff John Grace, and there he ex-
pired on Monday afternoon. During his
illness, he has been surrounded with every
care that could minister to his comfort, and
although he died far from his native land,
with no kindred hand to smooth his pillow,
he could not have been more tenderly cared
for. Although very i'll, he would not be con-
vinced that he was very dangerous, and so
far as known he did not make q will. His
only heir is q sister, wife of Mr.. F. w.
Wright, well known barrester of England,
who will inherit his property.
His funeral took place yes
terday afternoon, from the House of
the Good Shepherd. the Rev. Mr.. Kittson of
ficiating. The remains were born to the
grave by ex-Gov. W. r. Marshall, Judge w.
Wilkin. Henry j. Horn, George Benz, Her
man Trott, Reuben Warner, w. s. Timber
lake and J. w. Shipman, and the funeral was
attended by number of the leading citizens
Of the city. The remains were buried in
Oakland cemetery.