Stephen Holeman Newspaper Obituary

Stephen Holeman was born in Brown county, Indiana, Aug. 20, 1835. With

his parents he moved to Warren county Ill, in 1843 and settled near

Greenbush. Here he grew to manhood and began life for himself taking as

the partner of his joys and sorrows, Elizabeth Pittman, to whom he was

married Jan. 10, 1865. To them were born 15 children, of whom 12 grew to

maturity, three having died in infancy.

Accompanied by his father, the late Daniel Holeman, their families and,

other relatives and friends he moved to Bourbon county Ks., in 1865. He

settled on the farm where his last hours were spent, and began the task

of conquering the virgin soil and against the adversities and

inconveniences, that none but old settlers whose ranks are rapidly

thinning can fully appreciate, he succeeded in raising and educating his

large family and starting them fairly in the race of life. His industry,

integrity and unswerving devotion to right, manifested as they were by a

completely unselfish and unobtrusive attention to his own affairs, are a

heritage to his family and friends to be forever prized, and a monument

to his character to be by no means lightly considered.

His wife died on the 17th of July 1887. His children, having mostly

grown up, he was married on March 16, 1892 to Mrs. Celesta Thomas who has

cheered his declining years.

In early manhood he became a member of the Primitive Baptist church, and

throughout his life he held to the faith of his youth. His cheerful,

disposition and steadfastness of his gaze into the future in the face of

sickness during the last few years, is one of the inspiring facts of his

life.

He passed from this life Aug. 21, 1908, aged 73 years, one day, leaving

behind him a sorrowing wife, three sons, five daughters, three sisters,

two brothers, forty five grand children and ten great grand children

besides a large number of other relatives, and a host of friends who are

numbered by his acquaintances. Funeral services were held at the family

home Sunday afternoon by Rev. Jon. Preston. His remains were laid to

rest beside those of his wife in the Boulware cemtery.