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Transcribed from "An Illustrated History of The Big Bend Country, embracing Lincoln, Douglas, Adams and Franklin counties, State of Washington",  published by Western Historical Publishing Co., 1904.


     C. H. HOLMES is today one of the progressive and leading business men of Wilbur.  He stands at the head of a large agricultural establishment which owns its existence and present proportions to his energy and sagacity.  When he started in this business in Wilbur he had a very small stock of goods and a limited capital.  By constant and careful attention to business and wise handling of the resources, he has come to be one of the wealthy merchants of Lincoln county.  His stock of goods will invoice better than eight thousand dollars and shows a marked skill in anticipating the needs of the people by its selection.  During his business career, Mr. Holmes has manifested unquestioned integrity and ability and his standing in the community today is of the very best.
     C. H. Holmes was born in Sauk Rapids, in 1864, being the son of C. C. and Mary (Conant) Holmes, natives of New York and France, respectively.  The parents were married in Illinois and then came on to Minnesota where the father opened the first general merchandise establishment in Sauk Rapids.  He rose to a position of prominence and wealth.  Our subject was educated in the public schools and came west at the age of twenty-four.  In 1888, we find him in Spokane whence he came to Wilbur and engaged variously until 1897, when he took up the mercantile business for himself.  Mr. Holmes has a business that is increasing very rapidly and its future success is insured by his sagacity and financial ability.
     On March 4, 1888, at Sauk Rapids, Minnesota, Mr. Holmes married Miss Emma Waltman.  Her father, J. S. Waltman, was a physician of prominence in Minnesota.  To them have been born seven children, Harry C., Roy H., Byron R., Cecil E., Ida M., Earl C., and Sylvia.  Mr. Holmes is a member of the W. W. and is highly respected.  In addition to the business above mentioned, Mr. Holmes owns a fine residence in Wilbur and a farm near by.
 

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