George  Washington  Holbrook


          On the 27th of April 1853, there was born in Union township, Shelby county, George Washington Holbrook, the son of John and Mary Ann (Brown) Holbrook, both pioneer settlers on the county. John Holbrook was born in Stokes county, North Carolina, July 13, 1813. When sixteen years of age he came with his parents to Indiana. There were twelve children in the family and they located in Union township, this county, when the only roadways were blazed trails, when the domestic animal was the ox, and the markets for produce were Lawrenceburg and Cincinnati. Here the family was reared to maturity and the members have formed a part of the county's substantial and progressive citizen, our subject's father having attained to a ripe old age, his death occurring in 1900.
          Mary Ann Brown was born in Harrison county, Ohio, in 1812, and came to Shelby county with her parents when about thirteen years of age. Her ancestors were of Welsh descent. She was married to John Holbrook in 1836, and died in 1898. She reared a family of eight children, viz: Barbara, Robert Wesley, William Emmans, John J., Mary C. and James H., both deceased; George W. and Levi.
          Our subject was educated in the common schools of the neighborhood, attending for the most part the old Bronson school, where the short winter terms limited the period for schooling to a much shorter time than is offered to the children of the present day. He was brought up on the farm and learned the lessons of thrift, industry and perseverance that have characterized him as a man. In 1879 he was married to Missouri Ann Hawkins, daughter of John B. and Amy (Linville) Hawkins. Mrs. Holbrook was born in this county on June 22, 1858, her parents on both sides being among the early settlers of the county. Her father was born in Germany and came to America when six years age. After marriage Mr. and Mrs. Holbrook began their domestic career as farmers. Two children have been born to them, viz: Cora L., born January 24, 1880, and Thomas J., born July 6, 1883. Cora was married to Leonard P. Ford, and had a family of three children, George F., Hugh M. and Bernice Mildred.
          Mr. Holbrook has continued general farming and as a result of his industry and intelligent effort, he has a well improved farm of sixty acres, a modern and comfortable home, and is held in high esteem by his many friends and acquaintances. He and his family are members of the Little Blue River Baptist Church. Mr. Holbrook is a Democrat in politics, but has never sought office, preferring rather to devote his thought and energy to his work of farming, but at the same time he keeps closely in touch with all matters of public interest, and has positive convictions on the leading questions of the day.
Chadwick's History of Shelby County, Indiana, by Edward H. Chadwick, B.A., assisted by well known local talent, B.F. Bowen & Co, Publishers: Indianapolis, IN, 1909, pages 564-565.

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