Harry S. Holcomb papers

Collection

Identifier: ACCN 2315

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

The Harry S. Holcomb papers (1910-1965) include correspondence, certificates, and pamphlets. The first folder contains many items pertaining to Holcomb and his family. Included are three Western Union telegraphs that kept Holcomb up-to-date on the condition of his wife and first child. The second folder includes many documents relating to Holcomb's military experience in the Phillipines and in World War I. The third folder gives an overview of Holcomb's police career. The fourth folder contains four newspapers that Holcomb picked up during his travels with the military. There are two scrapbooks, the first contains news clippings and army correspondence. The second scrapbook contains various newspaper clippings and correspondence from Holcomb's railroad career.

Dates

1910-1965

Creator

Holcomb, Harry S., 1888-1958 (Person)

Conditions Governing Access

Twenty-four hour advanced notice encouraged. Materials must be used on-site. Access to parts of this collection may be restricted under provisions of state or federal law.

Conditions Governing Use

The library does not claim to control copyright for all materials in the collection. An individual depicted in a reproduction has privacy rights as outlined in Title 45 CFR, part 46 (Protection of Human Subjects). For further information, please review the J. Willard Marriott Library’s Use Agreement and Reproduction Request forms.

Biographical Sketch

Harry S. Holcomb (1888-1958) was born in western Nebraska. He entered the army in 1910 and became part of the US 2nd Cavalry, a unit famed for fighting in Florida Indian wars, the Mexican War, the Utah War, the Civil War, and the Spanish American War. Holcomb was first stationed in the Philippine Islands as part of the US occupation force. In 1912 he was transfered with his unit to Texas to secure the destabilized border during the Mexican Civil War. When the United States entered the First World War in 1917 he moved into the field artillery and fought in the American Expeditionary Force in France. The next year his first child was born and he returned to the United States. For a time he worked at Coronel Military Academy in Texas. During the 1920s he became a police officer for the New York Central Railroad, a profession he kept for a quarter century. Holcomb became an excellent marksman and was assingned to protect foreign and federal officals that traveled on the railroad including Winston Churchill, Franklin D. Roosevelt, Harry Truman, and Dwight D. Eisenhower. While living in Niagra Falls, Holcomb continued to be a reservist for the Army and was also fascinated with various sports including baseball and wrestling. He left the Army Reserve in 1939 and retired from the railroad in 1956. He then moved to Florida where he lived until his death in 1958.

Extent

0.75 Linear Feet

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Abstract

The Harry S. Holcomb papers (1910-1965) contain correspondence, certificates, and pamphlets that give a facinating glimpse into early twentieth century America. Harry S. Holcomb (1888-1958) was in the US Army and served in the Phillipine Islands, Mexico, and Europe. He later served as a police officer for the New York Central Railroad.