Name John Holmes Political party Democartic Role Politician | Spouse(s) Ruth A. Hawley Holmes Children Edwin F. Holmes Succeeded by Samuel Beall | |
Full Name John Edwin Holmes Born December 28, 1809Glastonbury, Connecticut, U.S. ( 1809-12-28 ) Allegiance United States of America Died May 8, 1863, Annapolis, Maryland, United States | ||
John Edwin Holmes (December 28, 1809 – May 8, 1863) was an American politician and the first Lieutenant Governor of Wisconsin.
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Early life
Born in Glastonbury, Connecticut, Holmees moved with his parents to New York when he was four; and both parents died when he was eight. He then lived with his grandfather until he was twelve. He moved to Hamilton, Madison County, and studied while working to support himself, and was able to teach in a common school. He attended an academy and prepared himself and was ordained a Universalist minister in 1833. He preached for a short time in Michigan and Ohio. He soon began to study law in Illinois and was admitted to the bar in Illinois. He joined the Democratic Party and moved to what is now Jefferson, Wisconsin to practice law.
Career
When Wisconsin became a State, in 1848, Mr. Holmes was chosen lieutenant governor, and served in that capacity for two years. In 1832 he was in the State legislature.
In 1846, Holmes became a member of Wisconsin Territory's Territorial Council; and in 1848, he was elected the lieutenant governor of Nelson Dewey, and served until 1850. In 1853, Holmes served in the Wisconsin State Assembly.
In August 1862 when the American Civil War begin, Holmes went into the United States Army joining the 22nd Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry Regiment and was a quartermaster. He remained with the regiment until March 25, 1863, when he was taken prisoner, at Brentwood, Tennessee. He was sent to Libby prison and confined until the 5th of the following May, when he was returned to the Union in 1863 as part of a prisoner exchange.
Death
Two days later Holmes was sent to Annapolis, Maryland, where he died the next day on May 8, 1863. His remains were brought to Jefferson, and were interred with Masonic rites at Greenwood Cemetery Jefferson, Jefferson County, Wisconsin.
Family life
Son of Solomon and Ann (McKee) Holmes, Holmes married Miss Ruth A. Hawley, of Milan, Ohio, in 1836 and they had four sons.