Biography of "J H Holeman":

1793 - Born in Virginia; oldest of two children.

1805 – Came to Kentucky with his father and brother, and settled in Georgetown (per “Notes on Kentucky Veterans of the War of 1812” by G. Glenn Clift, 1964, Borderline Books Anchorage, KY, p 25. Date deduced because reference was to JHH’s brother WBH being 8 years old at the time & WBH was born 11 Jan 1797).

War of 1812 - JHH and younger brother William B. Holeman were both in this war. Per “Notes on Kentucky Veterans of the War of 1812” (see above), “he was at the Battle of Tippecanoe (7 Nov 1811) and always claimed to have killed famous Indian leader Tecumseh" (cited by Kentucky Yeoman, 9 Nov 1880). [Note: This claim is also made by fellow Kentucky politician Col. Richard Mentor Johnson (b: 17 Oct 1780, d: 19 Nov 1850) of Frankfort, the ninth Vice President of the US serving under President Martin Van Buren, as well as William Whitley, Revolutionary War veteran and War of 1812 volunteer killed in the battle, as well as George Cardwell ( see "A History of Franklin County" by L.F. Johnson, p. 58). Tecumseh was killed at Battle of the Thames near Chatham. Ontario in 5 Oct 1813 in a battle with Kentucky volunteers.] He is shown as "private" (20 May 1813-19 Nov 1813) in Capt. Jacob Stuckers' Company, KY Mounted Infantry, commanded by Col. Richard M. Johnson. (His brother William listed "private", same term, in Capt. Sylvanus Massie's Company, 2nd Reg, KY militia).

1819-1824 – After 7 May 1819, JHH & WBH are the publishers of “The Commentator”, Frankfort KY, a conservative Whig & Old Court periodical started a year earlier by (M.O.) Bledsoe & Farnum. Upon his election to State Printer in 1824, JHH sold his half interest to James G. Dana. (By 1826, this paper was said to be Patrick Henry Darby's.) Sometime before 1831, WBH sold his interest to Col Albert G. Hodges (source: The Newspapers and Periodicals of Frankfort, Kentucky, 1795-1945). The statement in“Notes on Kentucky Veterans of the War of 1812”, by G Glenn Clift (page 25) that JHH &WBH started the Commonwealth at this time is in error, as the Commonwealth ran from 1833-1872; these men started "The Commentator".

1819 – On July 16th, Jacob injured in well-publicized pistol duel near Frankfort. The challenger Francis Waring was killed. Holeman was charged with murder and his second William Pope Greenup as accessory. JHH didn’t post bail (Greenup did) and spent just over 3 months in the brick Franklin county jail, until the trial was complete. With good lawyers, both were acquitted based on a "fair fight" (See a full report in "Famous Kentucky Duels" by J. Winston Coleman Jr, 1953).

1820 Census - Holeman is not reported

1821 - Married Mary Ann Wake of Nicholasville, Jessamine Co., Kentucky. Mary Ann’s father was John Wake of Fauquier county VA who moved to Kentucky around 1800 with a large number of slaves (according to “Kentucky: A History of the State” by Battle, Perrin & Kniffin, 3rd ed. 1886). She had two brothers - Alexander Wake (1797-1867), a lawyer, an appointed & an elected judge and congressman, and Ambrose Wake who studied medicine, graduating from Transylvania University and who practiced in Clark, Christian, Hopkins and Trigg counties, which in the latter he died in 1839 from effects of a yellow jacket sting.

1824 - 1830? - Elected “Public Printer” for the State of Kentucky, having defeated fellow business partner Col. Albert G. Hodges (1802-1880?) who served in that capacity several terms before and after.

1826 - "In mid-June, [Jereboam] Beauchamp sent for Jacob H. Holeman, a respected Frankfort printer and former state printer, and read to him a portion of the [Confession] manuscript. Holeman initially agreed to publish it, but he brought the document back the next day, categorically refusing to help"... "Here is the reason Holeman and Edrington would not touch the manuscript: in an effort to buy Jereboam some time to arouse the sympathy that might secure a pardon, the Beauchamps were still trying to inflame suspicions and fear that the murder was a political conspiracy". (Murder & Madness - the myth of the Kentucky Tragedy by Matthew G. Schoenbachler (2009), pgs. 193-194.

1826-1828 – Editor & publisher of “Spirit of '76”, Frankfort, KY, a campaign weekly strongly supportive of the “Old Court Party”.

1827 – Only child Alexander Wake Holeman born in Frankfort.

1828-1831 – Publisher/editor of “The Kentuckian”, a weekly newspaper in Frankfort, KY having the largest circulation west of the Alleghenys. It was sold to James B. Marshall who published it for one more year.

1829 – Was involved in the famous “George Trotter vs. Charles Wickliffe Duel” as second to Mr. Wickliffe, but a history of animus with fellow newspaperman Trotter prevented his being approved as second. He was a witness to the death of his friend Wickliffe & continued to disparage Trotter thereafter. Wickliffe was killed.

1830 - Owned property in Owen Co. although may have resided in Frankfort during this period. 1830 Census - Franklin Co., KY (Holeman, wife, son, unknown male 10-15 years of age, 4 slaves).

1840 Census - Owen Co., KY (Holeman, wife, son, 4 slaves).

1847-1850 – Publisher (but not editor) of “The Screw”, Frankfort, KY, a small irregular fortnightly political publication.

1850 Census - Jacob listed as “farmer” in New Liberty, Owen Co., KY; wife and son are in household.

1850 – Publisher of “The Old Guard”, Frankfort, KY, a weekly periodical on constitutional and political issues, edited by JHH and Thomas F. Marshall (1801-1864).

1851 - Appointed Utah Territorial Indian Agent on 27 Feb, and subsequently assigned the Parowan Agency (the southern third of the Utah Indian Territory) by Brigham Young. The first white settlement in southern Utah at Parowan was founded in this year. [His pay was $387/quarter, per his demand for payment on 5-10-1852 – see Kansas State Historical Society “Letter from S.I.A.St.L. (D. D. Mitchell) to Commissioner Indian Affairs, Washington (Luke Lea)”]

1857 - Died in Frankfort; buried in family plot IOOF Cemetery, New Liberty, Owen Co., KY. (His wife's date of death and place of interment is not known). His tombstone reads "J.H. HOLEMAN Sr", to differentiate it from his grandson J.H. HOLEMAN Jr (1854-1866), whose tombstone is nearby, suggesting that this is a replacement stone for Holeman Sr.


∼The Holman­Waring Duel.

THE HOLMAN­WARING DUEL, IN WHICH FRANCIS G. WARING WAS KILLED AND WILSON P. GREENUP, SON OF GOVERNOR CHRISTOPHER GREENUP, WAS JACOB HOLMAN's SECOND AND WAS JOINTLY INDICTED WITH HIM.
The duel between Francis G. Waring and Jacob Harrod Holman was fought in Franklin county, about three miles from Frankfort, in the early morning of July 16, 1819. Francis G. Waring was a wealthy young Virginian who hadrecently come to Kentucky. He was a practiced duelist who had been engaged in several affairs of honor in the old dominion.


On the 4th of July, Waring attended a muster of the county militia which was drilled on the Peak's mill road about four miles from Frankfort.Jacob H. Holman was an officer of the company and during the maneuvers a dog which belonged to Waring was killed by a thrust from Holman's saber.This killing brought on a fist fight between the two men, but they were separated before any material damage was done to either of them and it was thought by those present that the incident was closed. The following day Waring sought his friend, Doctor Joe Roberts and after talking the matter over between them, Doctor Roberts became the bearer of a challenge.


Mr. Holman selected Wilson P. Greenup, son of ex­Governor Christopher Greenup, as his second in the coming affair of honor. Mr. Greenup and Doctor Roberts met the following day and agreed that since Holman had received the challenge he had the right to name the weapons to be used and Waring was given the right to select the ground, and the day fixed was the 16th of July, at the trout of six o'clock in the morning. Holman named the dueling pistols as the weapons to be used and Waring selectedthe beautiful woodland on the Rev. Silas M. Noel's farm as the place of meeting. This farm afterwards became famous for being the home of Theodore O'Hara, the author of "The Bivouc of the Dead." It was further agreed that the principals were to stand ten steps apart and at the words, one, two three, Fire! they were to fire simultaneously. If either party fired before the command, "Fire" was given, the seconds agreed to shoot down the one so offending. If either party failed to fire at the command, his opponents second was to count, one, two, three, and if he failed to fire on the call of the last number he was to lose his shot.


The party met promptly at the time arranged and at the place named; all of the arrangements previously made were carried out. The principals took the places assigned them. the question was asked, "Are you ready," bothof them answered in the affirmative. Doctor Roberts then counted, one !two! three ! and each of them raised and presented his pistol, taking deliberate aim at his opponent, when he gave he command "Fire!" both shots were so nearly simultaneous, that only one report was heard.Holman's bullet took effect in Waring's right breast, ranging to the left and passed through his heart causing his death instantly. Waring's bullet took effect in Holman's right hip causing him to fall, he was carried from the battle field to his home where he lingered for many months. He finally recovered so that he could walk but he remained a cripple forlife.


Niles' Register for August 1819, said:


"A pair of dunces agreed to shoot at each other few days ago nearFrankfort, Ky. One was a young Virginian, the challenger, the other aprinter. The first was instantly killed on the spot, and the other very badly wounded."


The Franklin county grand jury indicted Holman and Greenup for the murder of Waring, and Doctor Roberts as also indicted charged with aiding,abetting, etc., the felonious shooting of Holman by Francis G. Waring.


The indictment against Holman and Greenup jointly charged that:


"Jacob H. Holman and Wilson P. Greenup, not having the fear of God beforetheir eyes, but being moved and seduced by the instigation of the devil,on the 16th day of July in the year of our Lord eighteen hundred andnineteen, with force and arms, in the County aforesaid in and upon Francis G. Waring, in the peace of God and of the said Commonwealth thenand there being feloniously, wilfully and of their malice afore thought,did make an assault, and that the said Jacob H. Holman, a certain pistol,then and there loaded and charged with gun­powder and one loaded bullet,which pistol the said Jacob H. Holman in his right hand then and therehad and held to, against and upon the said Francis G. Waring then andthere feloniously, wilfully and of his malice aforethought, did shoot anddischarge in the right pap of him the said Francis G. Waring then andthere being in the Peace of God, and of the Commonwealth, from the effect of which the said Francis G. Waring then and there instantly died. Andthat the aforesaid Wilson P. Greenup, then and there feloniously,wilfully and of his malice aforethought was present, aiding, helping,abetting, comforting, assisting and maintaining the said Jacob H. Holman,the felony and murder aforesaid in the manner and form aforesaid to doand commit. And so the jurors aforesaid upon their oaths aforesaid, dosay that the said Jacob H. Holman and Wilson P. Greenup, him the. saidFrancis G. Waring, then and there in the manner aforesaid, feloniously,wilfully and of their malice aforethought did kill and murder against thestatutes in such cases provided and against the peace and dignity of theCommonwealth of Kentucky.


"W. ANDERSON, Atty for Com."


On Saturday, July 24, Wilson P. Greenup surrendered himself into thecustody of the court and bail was fixed at two thousand dollars. John J.Marshall (author of J. J. Marshall's Reports), and Thomas Loofborro wenton his bond for his appearance at the October term of court. The methodof selecting jurors differed from that of a hundred years later. Theorder to the sheriff was:


"You are hereby commanded to summons twelve good and lawful men of yourcounty, being housekeepers, by whom the truth may be better known,residing as near as may be to the place where a certain murder issupposed to have been committed on the body of Franeis a. Waring, late ofyour county, to appear before the Franklin Circuit Court immediately forthe trial of Jacob H. Holman who stands indicted in the Circuit aforesaidfor the murder aforesaid.


"Francis P. BLAIR,
Circuit Court Clerk."


On October 19th, Jacob H. Holman and Wilson P. Greenup appeared in thecourt and being arraigned, plead "Not guilty," and for their trial putthemselves upon their country and the attorney for the Commonwealthlikewise, and the prisoners having consented to be tried by the same juryand at the same time, thereupon came a jury to­wit: George Baltzell andeleven others, who being elected, tried, sworn the truth of and upon thepremises to speak, and there not being time to go through the trial thisevening, by consent as well of the attorneys for the Commonwealth as theprisoners at the bar, the jury is adjourned until to­morrow morning atnine o'clock and the jurymen permitted to go to their respective placesof abode to return at the time aforesaid.


October 20th: "Jacob E. Holman and Wilson P. Greenup, who stand indictedfor murder, were again led to the bar in custody of the sheriff, and thejury empaneled and sworn for their trial also appeared and took theirseats, and having heard the evidence upon their oaths do say theprisoners at the bar not guilty as charged in manner and form as in theindictment against them alleged, and proclamation being made as themanner is, and nothing further appearing or being alleged against thesaid Jacob H. Holman and Wilson P. Greenup; it is therefore considered bythe court that they be acquitted and discharged from the charge aforesaidand go thereof hence without day."


The indictment against Joseph Roberts, physician, for aiding, etc.,Francis G. Waring in shooting Jacob H. Holman in the lower part of theright hip, was on motion of the Commonwealth's Attorney, dismissed.


Jacob Harrod Holman was public printer of Kentucky for many years. At onetime he was editor of the "Commmentator" and later was the editor of "TheSpirit of 76" and "The Kentuckian," all of which were published inFrankfort. He was a man of good reputation and of fine ability.


HOLEMAN-HOLMAN-HOLDMAN of Shenandoah County, Virginia
(ca. 1750-1800)
&
MICHAEL RADER (READER), 1750-1839, of Shenandoah County, Virginia
& Greenbrier, Mason, Jackson counties, West Virginia
Genealogy reports commissioned 1965 by an anonymous contributor
(18 Sept 2002)

~ INTRODUCTION

The contributor of these reports wishes to remain anonymous but granted permission to include them on this website. The contributor is adescendant of William B [ird] Holeman (1797-1880); I (GKBopp) descendfrom William's older brother, Jacob Harrod Holeman (1793-1857). Theirmother, Elizabeth Rader/Reader, died young (possibly in the year ofWilliam's birth); Jacob and William were named by their grandfather Michael Rader in a gift deed and in his will. The boys' father, AndrewHoleman, probably removed from Shenandoah after 1796; nothing further isknown of him at this time. Jacob (sometimes known as Harrod or "Harry")and William settled in Kentucky at an early age; it is not known when, orwith whom, they removed from Virginia. According to one family tradition,the boys ran away from a "mean" stepmother; another source states theycame to Kentucky with their father [or possibly a cousin]. The brothersare listed as Kentucky Veterans of the War of 1812 and were newspaperpublishers in Kentucky. For more information about the families and/ordescendants of Jacob and William, post a query at the Holman/HolemanRootsWeb surname list (or send me an e-mail - address is at Homepage