Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1916-12-13
DEATH SUMMONS
HON. A. B. HOLBfRT
STRICKEN WHILE ATTENDING
LIVE STOCK EXPOSITION IN
CHICAGO.
DIED LAST WEDNESDAY, NIGHT
Impressive Funeral Service Held ut
GFssosy lAet Sunday After.
noan.

Of the most prOm10eAt men OF eastern
Iowa and reprssentattve from this
county in the 0snsrsl Assembly, died
in Chicago Wednesday night, Decem-
ber 9Th, 1916. He suffered stroke
of paralysis Wednesday afternoon
! while attending the live stock exposi-
ton and q few hours later passed
quietly into everlasting sleep.
Mr.. HOlbert suffered slight stroke
Of paralysis in April Of this year. Az
ter few weeks of careful treatment
his condition was very much impr0v-
ed and he was able to give his time
and attention to his affairs as usual.
He did not however apply himself
so closely to his business as former
ly but gave much of his time in the
interest OF various organizations Of
which he was a member. Politics
was his recreation and he was elect
ed member Of the General Assembly
from this county at the last general
election. He was president Of the
German Coach Horse Breeders As
sociation of America and was presid-
ing at q meeting of the association
in Chicago when he was stricken WITH,
his last illness. At first his condfs
ton did not appear to be serious. He
beckoned to his son, Fred Holbert,
who was near him and asked him to
request the vice : president to take
the chair. Mr., Holbert then left the
room and was taken to Englewood
hospital where his strength failed
him rapidly and he passed away a
f6w hours later. The body was
brought to Greeley Thursday night. y
Impressive funeral services were
held at the family home Sunday af-
ternoon at one o'clock. Rev. Alexan-
der, pastor ofsthe Methodist Episco-
pal church of Greeley officiating.
The large concouFse Of friends who
came TO pay their last respects taxed
the spacious residence to the limit.
The remains were brought to Man
chester and placed Ia 7 the receiving
vault in Oakland cemetery. 1t has
not yet been decided by the family
whether interment will be made here
or at Greeley.
Mr.. Holbert lived in Delaware
county practically all Of his life. He
was born in Luzerne county, Pa, on
September 29th, 1853. and came here
with his parents soon after. They To-
Gated near Colesburg and it was in
that vicinity that he grew to manhood.
He received his education in the
schools of this county and Lenox col
lege. He early became interested in
thoroughbred stock and his attention
soon became directed to the handling
of imported horses. He imported
many thousand horses to this country
from France and Belgium and his
stables had nation wide reputation.
His animals have taken scores of priz-
es at the stock expositions of recent
years. 1t will be remembered that
because of his personal acquaintance
with high German officials the horses
which the German government sent to
the Worlds fair at Chicago were in
trusted to his supervision. His, keen
ard discerning judgment and untiring
energy brought him success and
placed him at the head of the horse
importers Of America. Starting with
little capital but with willing hands
and clear mind he accumulated
fortune far exceeding a million dol
lars. He was accounted the wealthiest
man in Delaware county at the time
OF his death.
On February 2. 1881, he married
Elma d. Baker. He often said his
success was in a large measure due
to her business Judgment and active
cooperation during all of the years
of his very busy MiA,
He Is survixsd nv. his wife and the
following chiidrsn: Thomas R., Fred
R, Benjamin jr.. Charmion, Warren
Louis, and Marjorie. Three sisters,
.Mrs. H. A. Dittmer of this city, Mrs.
Adalins Carpenter of Arlington and
Mrs.. Charles Sawyer Of Pomona, CAL
ifornia, also survive Mr.. Holbert.
The death of Ben. Holbert, as he
was Familiarity known. marks the