ARTHUR A. HOLMES.-The present efficient postmaster at Sullivan, Indiana. Arthur A. Holmes, was born September 11, 1856, at Annapolis, Crawford county, Illinois, son of John H. and Nancy E. (Rains) Holmes. The father was a native of Licking county, Ohio, born March 28, 1828, and died October 31, 1863, in Effingham county, Illinois. The mother was born in Crawford county, Illinois, August 31, 1831, and passed from earthly scenes in Sullivan county, Indiana, February 10, 1890. John H. Holmes was a farmer by occupation and went to Illinois from Ohio in 1848, remaining there until his death. Politically, he affiliated with the Democratic party, but was a War Democrat. After the death of John H. Holmes, his widow married John L. Kaufman, of Gill township, Sullivan county, Indiana.


Arthur A. Holmes was reared to farm labor and received his education at the district schools, and at the College at Merom, Indiana, which educational institution he entered in 1874, and from which he was graduated in 1877. He had also taken private instructions before entering college. He then taught three years, one term in Illinois and the balance of the time in Marshall and Sullivan counties, Indiana. Having decided to engage in the legal profession, he studied law with Buff & Patten of Sullivan. After remaining with them for two years he was admitted to the bar in 1880 and entered into partnership with W. S. Maple of Sullivan, continuing until the spring of 1883, when he formed a partnership with I. H. Kalley, which relation existed until August 1, 1887. At the last named date he entered into the service of the government as special pension examiner, remaining until April, 1893, at which time he resigned. In 1891 he had purchased the Sullivan Union and after his resignation from office he was actively engaged on the newspaper, of which he was owner and editor from March, 1891, to July 24, 1902, when he again entered the employ of the government and continued until January 21, 1907, in the pension department. He was appointed postmaster at Sullivan, Indiana, February 1, 1898, by President McKinley and re-appointed by President Roosevelt, serving from February 8, 1898, to July 31, 1902, inclusive. He was again made postmaster in January, 1907, and his term will expire January 18, 1911. Mr. Holmes has always voted the Republican ticket and has been an aggressive party worker. He is a member of the Knights of Pythias order in Sullivan.