William Raines Holbrook Obituary
One of our most beloved and respected citizens passed to his reward last Mondy morning May 14, 1902, death resulting from heart trouble and brights desease.
William R. was born in Blaine, Lawrence Co., KY May 15, 1825. He spent the greater part of his lifetime in the "blue grass" region of Ky. but in 1888 moved from Flat Gap, Ky with his family to Howard Lake, Minn. where he resided until April 1901. At that time, he and wife came to Donnybrook to make their home with their son, J. C. Holbrook.
On December 3, 1850 Mr. Holbrook was married to Miss Pauline Prater. Their married life was one of unalloyed pleasure until death came to take away from the loving wife and children the truest of husbands and father. Ten children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Holbrook, five of whom with the mother survives the departed one. H. W. Holbrook and R. W. Holbrook of Howard Lake, Minn., Mrs. Artie Boggs of Blaine, Ky., Mrs. Nannie Holbrook of Tacoma, Wash. and John C. Holbrook of Donnybrook. For many years, Mr. Holbrook was engaged in the mercantile, stock raising and lumber business at his birth place but of late years his advanced age and feeble health had forced him to abandon business of all kinds and to settle down in peace and comfort for the remaining years of the life.
Mr. Holbrook's home was but a stone throw from the dividing line of the north and south of the United States and when the war of the rebellion broke out he did not hesitate to shoulder his musket and march forth to do or die for his country. He was a good soldier, fighting valiantly for a cause he lived and knew to be right, a position of high rank in the army did not fall to hislot, due more to the fact that his modest nature prompted him to a life of service rather than of authority. Commissions were offered which he refused preferring to stay in the ranks. Four years he spent in the country's cause during the Civil conflict and at the close of the war he was not to take up civil life but entered the Secret Service where he did courageous work for his country.
Many years ago, Mr. Holbrook became a Christian uniting with the church of the Disciples of Christ in which faith he believed and died. His life was truly a noble one, he lived not for himself alone but was happy in doing good for others. A kinder father, a more faithful husband could not be found. His kindness of heart was apparent to all. He loved children as only a noble can. Many of the littlle ones knew him and called him grandpa. Among the older people, he was beloved by all. A noble man has been taken from our midst and called home to enjoy eternal happiness - a reward for the just.
Funeral services were conducted at the home Wednesday afternoon by Rev. Hignes of Kenmore at the grave the G.A.R. and A.O.V.W. burial service were given. Temporary burial was made on the homestead west of town. The above was aken from the Donnybrook Courier of North Dakota, Wm. R. Holbrook was a brother of A. M. Holbrook of Lawrence County, Ky. and Dr. C. R. Holbrook of Cimaron, Okla. His death was a sad blow to his many relatives and friends of this county.
Source: Big Sandy News, Lawrence Co., KY., May 23, 1902
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