Holbrook - Abel S.
Source: H. W. Beckwith History of Montgomery County, Indiana (Chicago: HH Hill, 1881) p 298
Abel S. Holbrook, shoemaker, Crawfordsville, was born June 14, 1821, in Braintree, Massachusetts, and is a son of William and Rhoda Stetson) Holbrook, both natives of the same state. William Holbrook was a manufacturer, but failing in business he then worked in leather. He was a soldier in the War of 1812, and his father was a lieutenant in the revolution.
Mrs. Rhoda Holbrook was a member of Dr. R.S. Storr's Church, at Braintree. She died in 1866, and he in 1871, in their native state. He had been a strong northern democrat.
Abel S. Holbrook attended a common school, and early began the trade of shoemaking.
In 1845 he worked in Dayton, Ohio, six months, then went south for the purpose of travel, visiting many ports.
He also worked in Springfield, Illinois, was in business in Missouri, followed his trade in Jacksonville some three years.
He spent much time in traveling, going to the Rocky Mountains, and in a return trip from Denver, Colorado, to St. Joe, Missouri, he walked a distance of 750 miles, carrying whatever baggage he had on his back. During his travels lie suffered many privations, never hesitating to give away the little he at any time possessed to those that were hungry.
He returned to Indiana, and in 1862 enlisted in Co. I, 4th Ind. Cav., 77th reg.
He was afterward transferred to the 7th reg. Veteran Reserve Corps, Co. I, under Capt. Knox.
For a time he acted as sergeant, and was discharged on account of disability. He married, February 2, 1866, E. J. Lewis) Davidson, of Crawfordsville, Indiana, and has since followed his trade in the same place. Mr. Holbrook was a democrat, and voted for Stephen A. Douglas, but cast his vote for Abraham Lincoln in 1864, and has continued a stalwart republican since. He belongs to the Grand Army of the Republic. Mrs. Holbrook is a member of the Methodist Church. They have one child, Nellie.
Source: Crawfordsville Daily Journal, Oct 3, 1895
The funeral of the late AS Holbrook occurred from the family residence yesterday afternoon and a large concourse of people attended.
The services were conducted by Dr. SV Leech, and were under the auspices of McPherson Post Grand Army of the Republic (GAR) of which order the deceased was a prominent member for many years.
The floral designs were very beautiful, that presented by McPherson Post being notably so.