Person Page - 846

     Sadosa Barber was born Janury 31, 1781 at Simsbury, Hartford Co., CT. He was the son of Reuben Barber and Elizabeth Case. Sadosa Barber died on 19 November 1860 at Canton, Hartford Co., CT.

     Elizabeth Barber was born in 1782. She was the daughter of Reuben Barber and Elizabeth Case. Elizabeth Barber married Josiah Harrison on 22 November 1803 at West Simsbury, Hartford Co., CT. Elizabeth Barber married Zimri Barber Jr. on 27 November 1806.

     Josiah Harrison married Elizabeth Barber, daughter of Reuben Barber and Elizabeth Case, on 22 November 1803 at West Simsbury, Hartford Co., CT. Josiah Harrison died on 23 April 1805.

     Zimri Barber Jr. married Elizabeth Barber, daughter of Reuben Barber and Elizabeth Case, on 27 November 1806.

     Sophia Elizabeth Mott was born on 15 February 1848 at Hamden, Delaware Co., NY.¹ She was the daughter of Matthew Mott and Mary Knickerbocker. Sophia Elizabeth Mott married Pierson Alonzo Holcombe JP, son of Alonzo B. Holcombe and Lemira Morse, on 24 August 1864 at Alba, Bradford Co., PA. Sophia Elizabeth Mott died on 26 April 1908 at LeRoy, Bradford Co., PA, at age 60.¹ She was buried at Mott Family Cemetery, Bradford Co., PA.¹

     Lemyra Ann Holcombe was born on 6 February 1867 at LeRoy, Bradford Co., PA.² She was the daughter of Pierson Alonzo Holcombe JP and Sophia Elizabeth Mott. Lemyra Ann Holcombe married John Ball Shadduck, son of Lewis Shadduck and Amanda Dickerson, on 23 December 1886 at LeRoy, Bradford Co., PA. Lemyra Ann Holcombe died on 8 January 1929 at Alba, Bradford Co., PA, at age 61.² She was buried at Alba Cemetery, Alba, Bradford Co., PA.²

"Aunt Myra A. Holcombe and Uncle John Ball Shadduck lived near Alba when we visited them one Sunday long ago on their farm. Louis Shadduck a little older than we, was home and showed us the store of nuts he had stored to dry to sell later. It was long day trip and we were leaving in the middle of the afternoon after a great chicken dinner, and as the family lingered around the car before we took off, dickie who was always hungry, piped up much to Mom's embarrassment - 'Can I have a sandwich?'

As it was, rain and darkness caught up with us, and I remember the 'touring car' with no toop and our having to get pulled out of the mud hole at Middendorf's crossing, at midnight when nearly home." Aunt Paulie's Book.

     John Mott Holcombe was born on 7 February 1869 at LeRoy, Bradford Co., PA.¹ He was the son of Pierson Alonzo Holcombe JP and Sophia Elizabeth Mott. John Mott Holcombe died on 1 September 1885 at LeRoy, Bradford Co., PA, at age 16.¹ He was buried at Mott Family Cemetery, Bradford Co., PA.¹

     Survellon Burr Holcombe was born on 16 March 1871 at LeRoy, Bradford Co., PA.² He was the son of Pierson Alonzo Holcombe JP and Sophia Elizabeth Mott. Survellon Burr Holcombe married Roseanna Jane Cook, daughter of Joseph Cook and Hanna Sick, on 29 November 1900 at Dushore, Sullivan Co., PA. Survellon Burr Holcombe died on 27 May 1952 at Dushore, Sullivan Co., PA, at age 81.² He was buried at Saint Basils Cemetery, Dunshore, Sullivan Co., PA.²

"Vell came to Dushore, Sullivan Co., PA, April 17, 1893 and lived there until his death. He owned and operated Holcombe's Furniture Store and was also an undertaker. He was a member fo the State House of Representatives 5 terms - Prominent in Republican Politics - Prominent in the Chamber of Commerce - Prominent in the Fire Company. Also a member of the Lutheran church and cemetery.

"Dad, the Honorable Vell B. Holcombe, was elected to represent Sullivan County in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives 1920-32. He was persuaded to run for the office 'to try to get state laws to build better roads to get the faarmers out of the mud.' At that time dairying was important here and milk had to be taken to 'the creamery' each day. We had only dirt roads when he went to Harrisburg. By 1925 Rt. 220 went through the county an da great day-long celebration took place. Governor Gifford Pinchot came to spend the day and speak at the great gathering in Dushore. He and Dad were good friends and he stopped at the cottage too.

"He respected elected officials whether of the Republican Party or not. For instance he saw no Republican president elected from 1932 to his death in May, 1952. I always felt sad that he could not have lived to hear that Eisenhower had been elected.

"Jennie was a Roman Catholic, daughter of German early settlers. Her father, Joseph Cook was a wagonmaker. Hannah supported herself and 3 daughters by teaching dressmaking and doing women's tailoring.

"She was a good homemaker and cook. She made all the family clothes including coats and suits until the children were practically grown. She had 'good taste.' She worked hard for the Red Cross during 1st World War and WWII. She was jolly and strong, living to be 92 years of age." Aunt Paulie's Book

Additional information on S. B. Holcombe is from Linda L. Mutzer, gmutzer@bellatlantic.net. She cites, among other sources Pioneer and Patriot Families of Bradford Co. Pennsylvania 1770-1825 vols I and II, 1913 and 1915, Bradford Star Print, Towanda, PA, and personal interviews.

     Matthew Knickerbocker Holcombe was born on 15 July 1880 at Shunk, Sullivan Co., PA.² He was the son of Pierson Alonzo Holcombe JP and Sophia Elizabeth Mott. Matthew Knickerbocker Holcombe died on 4 January 1976 at Gillett, Bradford Co., PA, at age 95.² He was buried at Lower Gillett Cemetery, Gillett, Bradford Co., PA.³

"I don't kow what training Uncle Matthew Knickerbocker Holcombe may have had but it seemed he could do almost anything. His main work was in the Dairylea creameries of lower New York State and northern Pennsylvania as there were many in those days. He would go to a creamery and overhaul the whole thing- plumbing, power plant, cooling system, etc. He had a crew who went with him. He began camping to have Aunt Ora and sometime other members of the family with him. I remember Vell & Jennie going over near Wyalusing once where he was doing a creamery and camping with him." Aunt Paulie's Book

Obit newspaper clippingJan 1976Holcomb, Matthew KAge 95, of RD 1, Gillett, PA, Sun, Jan 4, 1976 at the Arnot Ogden Hospital. Friends may call at the Vickery Funeral Home, Troy, PA Wed 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 pm. Funeral there Thurs at 11 am, Rev Charles Root and Rev Charles Long officiating, burial Gillett Cemetery. Should friends desire contributions may be made to the memorial fund of the Gillett Baptist Church.Survived by son, Donald T Holcomb of RD 1, Gillett; daughters, Mrs Elizabeth Ayres of RD 1, Canton. Mrs Josephine Blodgett of RD 1, Gillett, Mrs Helen Berry of RD 1 Gillett with whom he made his home; brother, LaMarr Holcomb of Troy PA; eight grandchildren; 20 great-grandchildren; several nieces and nephews. He was a 60 year member of the Gillett Baptist Church, Charter Member of the South Creek Lions Club 1952 to 1976. He was the oldest living member in District 14G and Charter Member of Gillett Rebekah Lodge. He was associated with the milk business for forty years as a building superintendent (Empire State, Sheffield Farms, and Dairymen's League) Troy Senior Citizens and a former member of Gillett Grange.

     Frank Judson Holcombe was born on 22 June 1883 at LeRoy, Bradford Co., PA.¹ He was the son of Pierson Alonzo Holcombe JP and Sophia Elizabeth Mott. Frank Judson Holcombe died on 15 August 1974 at LeRoy, Bradford Co., PA, at age 91.¹ He was buried at Mott Family Cemetery, Bradford Co., PA.²

"Uncle Frank Holcombe had some bookkeeping training and worked in the store at Laquin and other places. He got a job with the Penn State official testing sservice for cattle and spend his main working life going where dairies had to have official production records. He was efficient, precise, and good at this work and agreeable - living in the home of those whose cattle he tested. When he was old he went to live with the Lilleys in Athens, PA." Aunt Paulie's Book.

     Hiram Lamarr Holcombe was born on 5 November 1893 at LeRoy, Bradford Co., PA.² He was the son of Pierson Alonzo Holcombe JP and Sophia Elizabeth Mott. Hiram Lamarr Holcombe married Mabel Jefferson in 1922. Hiram Lamarr Holcombe died on 10 February 1980 at Troy, Bradford Co., PA, at age 86.² He was buried on 12 February 1980 at Glenwood Cemetery, Troy, Bradford Co., PA.³

"Lamarr was the youngest son of Pierson and Sophia. After his parents died he made a home with his sister until at age 17 he left to make his way west. He worked on a sheep ranch in Wyoming and by 1914 tried mining in Quartz, Montana. His brother Frank persuaded him to return to Laquin, PA and work as clerk in the Central Pennsylvania Company Store. He met Mabel Jefferson. They were married after he served overseas in World War I (the 108th U.S. Infantry in France in 1917-1918). In 1922 he graduated from Henry Ford's Automotive School in Detroit, Michigan and opoened a garage in Alba, PA. A daughter Mary was born there in 1923. In 1926 he moved to Troy, PA and became a partner in Comfort and Holcombe Garage and Automobile Agency. He lived in Troy until his death." Aunt Paulie's Book.

     Phoebe Elizabeth Holcombe was born on 28 January 1876 at LeRoy, Bradford Co., PA.² She was the daughter of Pierson Alonzo Holcombe JP and Sophia Elizabeth Mott. Phoebe Elizabeth Holcombe was also known as Elizabeth Holcombe. She married Carl Randel Lilley in May 1898 at LeRoy, Bradford Co., PA. Phoebe Elizabeth Holcombe died on 20 June 1943 at Athens, Bradford Co., PA, at age 67.² She was buried at Tioga Point Cemetery, Athens, Bradford Co., PA.²

"Her mother Sophia Elizabeth arrranged for her to go to and spend a winter learning to be a piano teacher. She married Carl Lilley and spent some years in Bernice, PA where Uncle Carl ran the motor for hauling coal from the nimes bringing out the cars of coal. When the mines closed he went to Athens, PA and both are buried there." Aunt Paulie's Book.

     Sarah Arsenah Holcombe was born on 27 September 1886 at LeRoy, Bradford Co., PA. She was the daughter of Pierson Alonzo Holcombe JP and Sophia Elizabeth Mott. Sarah Arsenah Holcombe married Lester West circa 1908. Sarah Arsenah Holcombe died in 1958.² She was buried at Irondequoit Cemetery, Irondequoit, Monroe Co., NY.²

Sarah A. was enumerated in the 1910 LeRoy, Bradford Co., PA, federal census. She was 29. Her brother H. Lamarr also resided in the household.


"Aunt Sarah Elizabeth Holcombe married Lester West and lived in the Triple Cities area where Uncle Lester was an employee of the shoe and camera companies of that area. Once Marion Lilley, Alice E. Pierson and I were allowed to visit for a week. Here we were introduced to the great Johnson City parks, playgrounds and swimming pools." Aunt Paulie's Book.

     John Ball Shadduck was born on 26 January 1862 at Shunk, Fox Twp., Sullivan Co., PA. He was the son of Lewis Shadduck and Amanda Dickerson. John Ball Shadduck married Lemyra Ann Holcombe, daughter of Pierson Alonzo Holcombe JP and Sophia Elizabeth Mott, on 23 December 1886 at LeRoy, Bradford Co., PA. John Ball Shadduck died in 1952 at Greenville, Greenville Co., SC.

     Dean Burr Shadduck was born on 30 July 1888.¹ He was the son of John Ball Shadduck and Lemyra Ann Holcombe. Dean Burr Shadduck married Marian Jane Brooks on 8 June 1916 at Auburn, NY. Dean Burr Shadduck died on 21 June 1985 at Canton, Bradford Co., PA, at age 96.¹

     Additional information is from Linda L. Mutzer, gmutzer@bellatlantic.net. Her Social Security Number was 070-03-5802. Goldie Helen Shadduck was born on 2 August 1892 at Port Byron, NY. She was the daughter of John Ball Shadduck and Lemyra Ann Holcombe. Goldie Helen Shadduck married Irving Leverne Comfort, son of Thomas Comfort and Sarah Wheeler, on 25 December 1912 at Shadduck Home, Alba, Bradford Co., PA. Goldie Helen Shadduck died on 3 September 1980 at Greenville, Greenville Co., SC, at age 88.¹

     Louis Hiram Shadduck was born on 19 June 1900 at Alba, Bradford Co., PA.¹ He was the son of John Ball Shadduck and Lemyra Ann Holcombe. Louis Hiram Shadduck married Alfa L. Crocker, daughter of Earl Crocker and Alfa Lybolt, on 21 January 1923 at Honsdale, PA. Louis Hiram Shadduck died in October 1971 at Sewickley, Allegheny Co., PA, at age 71.¹

     Irving Leverne Comfort was born on 20 April 1889 at Troy, Bradford Co., PA. He was the son of Thomas Comfort and Sarah Wheeler. Irving Leverne Comfort married Goldie Helen Shadduck, daughter of John Ball Shadduck and Lemyra Ann Holcombe, on 25 December 1912 at Shadduck Home, Alba, Bradford Co., PA. Irving Leverne Comfort died on 4 February 1950 at Greenville, Greenville Co., SC, at age 60.

     Rev. Glenn Shadduck Comfort was born on 25 January 1916 at Troy, Bradford Co., PA. He was the son of Irving Leverne Comfort and Goldie Helen Shadduck.

     Ora Thomas was born circa 1880 at Rochester, Monroe Co., NY. She died in 1951 at Gillett, Bradford Co., PA.

     Elizabeth Holcombe was born on 13 June 1901 at Alba, Bradford Co., PA.² She was the daughter of Matthew Knickerbocker Holcombe and Ora Thomas. Elizabeth Holcombe married Mark Ayars circa 1920. Elizabeth Holcombe married Herman Chappel. Elizabeth Holcombe died on 4 March 1989 at Williamsport, Lycoming Co., PA, at age 87.² She was buried at Windfall Cemetery, Granville Summit, Bradford Co., PA.²

     Josephine Holcombe was born circa 1902. She was the daughter of Matthew Knickerbocker Holcombe and Ora Thomas.

     Helen Holcombe was born circa 1903. She was the daughter of Matthew Knickerbocker Holcombe and Ora Thomas.

     Donald Holcombe was born circa 1904. He was the son of Matthew Knickerbocker Holcombe and Ora Thomas.

     Alvin Holcombe was born circa 1905. He was the son of Matthew Knickerbocker Holcombe and Ora Thomas.

     Herman Chappel married Elizabeth Holcombe, daughter of Matthew Knickerbocker Holcombe and Ora Thomas. Herman Chappel died on 11 September 1978.¹

     Mark Ayars was born circa 1900. He married Elizabeth Holcombe, daughter of Matthew Knickerbocker Holcombe and Ora Thomas, circa 1920. Mark Ayars died on 14 November 1937.¹

     Donald Ayars was born circa 1925. He was the son of Mark Ayars and Elizabeth Holcombe.

     Oscar Lanier Ayars was born on 24 May 1922 at Gillett, Bradford Co., PA.¹ He was the son of Mark Ayars and Elizabeth Holcombe. Oscar Lanier Ayars married Helen M. Crandle on 30 October 1942. Oscar Lanier Ayars died on 21 May 2005 at Troy, Bradford Co., PA, at age 82.¹ He was buried on 25 May 2005 at Windfall Cemetery, Granville Summit, Bradford Co., PA.¹

On the evening of Saturday, May 21, 2005, well known Canton resident Oscar Alvin Lanier Ayres passed away at Troy Community Hospital. He was 82 years of age. Born in Gillett on May 24, 1922, he was the son of Mark L. Ayres and Sophia Elizabeth Holcomb Ayres. He grew up in Canton and graduated from Canton High School with the Class of 1940. On Oct.30,1942, Mr. Ayres enlisted in the United States Marine Corps, serving in the Philippines. After the war he returned to his family in Canton. He farmed, delivered milk door to door for George Harkness, and worked as an auto mechanic at the garages of John Keltz and George Crain. Eventually he secured a position as a machinist at Schrader Bellows (Pneumatic Division of North America), retiring 30 years later as plant superintendent. Lanier was a charter member of the Canton Lions Club and was honored along with his fellow charter members at the club's 50th anniversary on Sept. 15, 2004. He enjoyed dining at the Wheel Inn Club and took pride in the achievements of his family. He took pleasure in spending time with his children, grandchildren and great-grand-children.He also enjoyed family barbecues and spending time at his cabin on Armenia Mountain. Mr. Ayres made it one of his missions in life to help keep his mountain free of debris and an enjoyable place for all. He also enjoyed wintering in Florida and was active in the American Legion in Ft.Mead as well as the Canton VFW Post No. 714.
Of paramount importance was his faith in the Lord and he was an active member of the Ward United Methodist Church. Mr Ayres is survived by his wife of 62 years, the former Helen Crandle, at home; his son, Lanier D."Bud" (and Dorothy)Ayres of Monroeton; his daughters, Kay (and Dick) Porter of Canton, Ann (and Tom) Carl of Leroy, Connie(and Bill) Spencer of Granville Summit,and Sue (and Dan) Bastion of Troy; sisters-in-law LaRene Ayres, Margie (and Max) Thomas, and Phyllis (and Dennis) Arnold; a brother-in-law, LaRue (and Joannie) Crandle; 14 grandchildren; 24 great-grandchildren; three step-grandchildren and four step-great-grandchildren; numerous nieces, nephews and cousins; and his beloved dog, Becky, who was his constant companion. He was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Donald L. Ayres; great-grandaughter Kirsten Elizabeth Ostrander; and infant granddaughters Baby Girl Spencer, on Oct.16, 1963, and Heidi Maria Spencer, on Oct. 6,1969. Calling hours will be Tuesday, May 24, from 6 to 8 p.m. at Morse & Kleese Funeral Home Inc., 40 N. Center St., Canton. The funeral service will be 11 a.m. Wednesday with Pastor Dean A. Walrath officiating. There will be a time of visitation from 10 to 11 a.m. Interment will follow in Windfall Cemetery, where Canton Post No. 714 will accord military honors.