George Holmes. This young gentleman and his charming wife occupy a pleasant home in Akron Township, their fertile land being supplied with a full line of adequate structures, such as are needed to shelter the stock, house the crops, and afford comfort to the family. Hospitality is dispensed with a bounteous hand, both Mr. and Mrs. Holmes being genial and social, and having the characters that make their home a favorite gathering place of the intelligent, respected members of the community. Mrs. Holmes has already become quite prominent as a progressive farmer and public-spirited man. He is now serving as Township Supervisor for the second term, having been first elected in the spring of 1889, and re-elected in 1890.
Our subject is the fourth child in a family comprising seven sons and three daughters, born to John and Lydia (Chambers) Holmes, of Medina Township. He was born there December 2, 1859, and reared to man’s estate, acquiring a practical education chiefly in the common schools. He remained with his parents until his marriage, which occurred in Peoria February 21, 1883, after which he set up his own home in Kickapoo Township. He sojourned there but a year, removing thence to Radnor Township, and a twelvemonth later still, to Akron Township, where he has since been a resident.
Mr. Holmes led to the hymeneal alter Miss Effie Keach, daughter of Charles and Marian (Fash) Keach, of Kickapoo Township, whose life history will be found on a page of this Album. The bride was born in that township, January 18, 1863. She had the school privileges in which the Prairie State takes just pride, and stored her mind with useful knowledge, adding to that she learned at school the domestic and social wisdom that fitted her for the spheres of wife, mother, and member of society. She has borne her husband one daughter, Nellie M., who is the fourth generation, now living in the Keach line.
The estate of Mr. Holmes consists of eighty acres of fine land on section 23. Prior to his election to the office he now holds, Mr. Holmes has filled that of Township Collector two years in the same Township. He is well posted regarding political matters, his judgement concurring in the principles of the Democratic party, to which he therefore gives his suffrage. As he is quite young, the prominence of Mr Holmes in the township proves his ability and popularity, and gives promise that as years are added he will become one of the most influential men in the county.

Peoria County, Illinois, Biological Dictionary.

Transcribed and submitted by Jean Wilson.