C. O. HOLMES, interested in general farming on section 16, Rubicon township, was born in Macoupin county, Illinois, June 14, 1858. His father, David Holmes, was a native of Tennessee, born February 14, 1818, while the grandfather, Joseph Holmes, was a native of Virginia. The great-grandfather, John C. Holmes, also born in the Old Dominion, lived to the very venerable age of one hundred and ten years. Joseph Holmes served as a soldier in the war of 1812 and, emigrating westward in 1830, became one of the first settlers of Macoupin county, Illinois, casting in his lots with the pioneer settlers who aided in reclaiming the district for the purpose of civilization. His family was one of the first five families of Carlinville. There he built a log cabin in 1830 and lived in true pioneer style bravely facing the difficulties and hardships which always have to be encountered by those who settled upon the frontier.

David Holmes, the father of our subject, also entered land from the government in Macoupin county and purchased other land at twelve and a half cents per acre. Like Abraham Lincoln he split rails and thus earned the money to pay for his property. As the years passed he prospered in his undertakings, invested in more land and eventually became the owner of a farm of three hundred and forty-five acres in the western part of the county near Fayette. On this property he made good improvements and developed a valuable farm that yielded to him annually rich harvests. He spent his last years there, passing away on the 29th of January, 1903. In 1844 in Macoupin county he married Miss Elizabeth Hubbard, a daughter of Joel Hubbard, and they became the parents of fifteen children. The mother died upon the home farm in 1887. Mr. Holmes was a Jacksonian Democrat and cast his first presidential ballot for Andrew Jackson.

C. O. Holmes was one of the fifteen children born of this union, twelve of whom reached mature years. He was reared in the usual manner of farmer lads and remained upon the old home place until he had attained his majority, assisting in the work of cultivating the fields and developing the farm. He then received practical training in the work which he has followed throughout, his entire life and which has been to him a good source of income. His educational privileges were those afforded by the common schools. After his marriage he rented a tract of land and engaged in farming on his own account for several years in Macoupin and Greene counties. When his labors had brought to him sufficient capital he made purchase of land, becoming owner of his present farm in 1900 and locating thereon in 1901. He removed the buildings to their present location, his house being situated on a natural building site. He re-built and remodeled the residence, also made improvements in the other buildings and now has a well equipped farm, on which everything is in keeping with modern and progressive ideas. He has built fences which divide the place into fields of convenient size and in addition to the cultivation of the cereals best adapted to soil and climate he has been engaged for many years in raising and feeding stock, making a specialty of hogs. He also feeds and fattens from one to two carloads of cattle, annually. His farm comprises one hundred and sixty acres of land, the greater part of which is under a high state of cultivation, and in its thrifty appearance it indicates to the passerby the careful supervision of a progressive owner.

Mr. Holmes was married in Macoupin county, November 17, 1879, to Miss Amanda Carter, a native of Kentucky, born in Lincoln county, and a daughter of Elijah Carter, a resident of Macoupin county, to which place he removed from Kentucky. On locating on land he turned his attention to agricultural pursuits and remained a farmer of Macoupin county until his death. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Holmes have been born six children, of whom four are yet living: Virgil, who is married and resides in East St. Louis; Cecile, a dressmaker; David C., who is assisting in the operation of the home farm; and Oliver Wendell Holmes. They lost one child in infancy, while Fred died October 13, 1903, at the age of eleven years.

Mr. Holmes is a stanch Democrat where national issues are involved, but at local elections he casts his ballot without regard to party affiliations. He was elected and served for one term as township tax collector and filled the position of highway commissioner for one term, discharging his duties with promptness and fidelity, and yet he has not been ambitious in the line of office seeking, preferring to give his undivided attention to business affairs. His wife is a member of the Baptist church and he is affiliated with the Modern Woodmen of America. He started out in life for himself empty-handed and by his own labor and enterprise, supplemented by the assistance of his estimable wife, he has become one of the substantial farmers of the community. He is well known in Greenfield and throughout Macoupin and Green counties, having lived an honest, exemplary life that has commended him to the confidence and esteem of all with whom business or social relations have brought him in contact.