Alexander Holmes

ALEXANDER HOLMES, city clerk in Rosedale, Kansas, is a man who feels that learning is a man's best capital and he has worked hard to gain an education, that he might be prepared for the battles of life. Mr. Holmes realized this and made up his mind that he would have an education. He has read very extensively and having a very retentive mind, has profited by this reading, the studies he acquired at school being only a foundation for the knowledge he has acquired since. Today he is a thoroughly well informed man on almost every subject and is just at the beginning of his career.

Alexander C. Holmes was born in London, England, February 24, 1869. He was the son of Herbert J. and Caroline (Webb) Holmes. His parents came to America in 1872 and settled in Kansas City, Missouri, and in 1875 they moved to Rosedale, where they are still living in peace and contentment.

When Alexander was three and one half years old he came to America with his parents and spent nearly three years in Kansas City, Missouri. In the spring of 1875, when he was six years old, the family moved to Rosedale and there Alexander received his education. He attended the grammar school and then the high school, from which he was graduated in 1887. He had not as yet chosen his life vocation, as during his school career he had shown more decided inclination for atletics[sic] than for anything else. He was, however, good at mathematics and for a year after he left school he worked for Armour & Company in Kansas City. Then he made up his mind that a business course was necessary, so he attended the Spaulding Commercial College, graduating nine months later, having become an expert bookkeeper. He also learned the barber trade and worked at it for some time, but it was not suited to his inclinations or abilities. He was in the cafe business at Eighth street and Grand in Kansas City and at 3101 Southwest boulevard in Rosedale, but most of his life he has been engaged in clerical work of some kind. In 1911 he was appointed city clerk of Rosedale, which office he is now holding.

In December, 1904, he married Gertrude Corbly, the daughter of Frederick and Halley Corbly. Her mother's name was Pattan before she was married. One daughter has been born to this union, Marie Thelma, a little maid of four years of age, having been born in December, 1907.

Mr. Holmes is a prominent man in the fraternal orders to which he belongs. He is a member of the Woodmen of the World and also of the Eagles. He was a charter member of the Eagles in Rosedale and its first vice president. He has passed the chairs and represented the Eagles in the state lodge. Mr. Holmes is a very successful hunter and fisherman, indeed he is a professional shooter. He has taken part in a number of tournaments in different parts of the country. He won the pigeon wing trophy medal, giving him the championship of the United States. All the best shooters in the United States entered this tournament and Mr. Holmes carried off the honors. Mr. Holmes seems to have found out the way to be happy in this life. When he works, he puts all his energy into his task and when he plays he is just as much in earnest. He is very popular in Rosedale and there is undoubtedly much more in store for him, if he cares to accept it.