Santa Clara County
Biographies
ARTHUR E. HOLMES
From the time of the landing of the Mayflower to the present the Holmes family has been identified with American history. Ahira, father of Arthur E. Holmes, was a native of Plymouth, Mass., and a relative of Oliver Wendell Holmes. Born in 1823, he was twenty years of age when, having completed a common school course, he entered the State Normal School at Bridgewater, Mass., and there continued his studies until the latter part of 1847, with the exception of a short time devoted to teaching. On leaving the normal he became principal and deputy superintendent of the Boston Farm School, a free manual institution for boys. About a year later he was elected principal of the Milton Center Grammar School, and at the expiration of a term there was chosen principal of the high school at Brockton, Mass. In the early part of 1852 he came to California via Panama and at San Francisco was chosen principal of the Union street public school, then known as Clarke’s Point school. Public schools had been provided for by the state legislature in 1851 and this was the fourth school organized by the San Francisco board. For four years he remained its principal, from which place in 1856 he was transferred to the Powell street (later the Washington) grammar school. At the same time he was appointed principal of the free evening school, which was the first school of the kind opened in San Francisco under the auspices of the board of education. After one year as principal of the Powell street school, where he continued for two years.
Removing to Los Angeles in 1861, Mr. Holmes was elected principal of the only grammar school in the city. The following year the board of trustees of the State Normal School appointed him principal of that institution, which position he filled for three years. The school was opened in San Francisco in July, 1863, and from there in 1871 was removed to San Jose. At the first daily session of the school there were only six students, and during his three years as principal there were two hundred and thirty students enrolled, of whom forty-four graduated. During his second and third years he was assisted by H. P. Carlton and Miss E. W. Houghton, with Misses H. M. Clark and Sullivan in the experimental department. After resigning his position in the State Normal School in June, 1865, he was for two years principal of the Mission grammar school in San Francisco. His work in education was of the utmost value to the state, for through his efforts, with those of other educated men from the east, the public school and normal system of education was placed upon a sound basis, thereby proving of inestimable value to the instructors and students of the present day. In 1856 he served as leader of the vigilance committee in San Francisco and accomplished much toward bringing law and order out of the chaotic condition then existing. All through his life he supported Republican principles, and in religion gave his support to the Presbyterian Church. The last yeas of his life were quietly passed in his home in San Jose and there his work on earth came to an end December 30, 1902.
While in Los Angeles Ahira Holmes married Emily C. Foye, a school teacher of that city and a native of Maine. Five children were born of their union, viz.: F. H., a fruit packer and horticulturist at Berryessa; Arthur E., of San Jose; Marion E. and Emily, who reside with their mother in Palo Alto; and Nellie B., wife of J. H. Cunningham, of San Francisco. While the family were residents of San Francisco Arthur E. Homes was born in that city March 31, 1868. His education was conducted in the grammar and high schools there. When a mere boy he became an employe in the wholesale hardware house of Huntington & Hopkins at San Francisco and in time was promoted to be the assistant buyer. When the business was closed in 1894, he removed to San Jose, where he organized the San Jose Hardware Company, with himself as president and manager. The business is wholesale as well as retrial, its customer being principally residents of the Santa Clara valley. The building occupied is two stories in height and 30 x 137 ˝ feet in dimensions, occupying the lots at Nos. 62-64 West San Fernando street, next to the post office. As a business man he shows a resourcefulness, aptitude for affairs and high sense of honor that merit assured success.
The marriage of Mr. Holmes in San Francisco united him with Miss Nancy Lake, a native of San Jose, and a daughter of Hon. Charles Lake, horticulturist an old settle at Berryessa. In religious associations Mrs. Holmes is identified with the Episcopal Church, to which Mr. Holmes is a contributor and which their children, Hattie Lucile and Warren Lake, also attend. The Chamber of Commerce and Merchants’ Association are two prominent local organizations which receive the support of Mr. Holmes, and of both of these he is a leading member. Though not a politician, he is a believer in Republican principles and never fails to support the men and measures of his party. In matters fraternal he is connected with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and Knights of the Maccabees, while he is further connected with Pacific Parlor No. 10, N. S. G. W., at San Francisco, in which he held the office of president during his residence in that city.
Transcribed
by Joyce Rugeroni.
Source: History
of the State of California & Biographical Record of Coast Counties,
California by Prof. J. M. Guinn, A. M., Pages
1282-1283. The Chapman Publishing Co., Chicago, 1904.
© 2016 Joyce Rugeroni.