NEARLY HALF A CENTURY

Had Hector M. Holmes Been a Resident of St. Paul.

The death of Hector McClane [Holmes], which took place a little before noon yesterday at the family home, 346 Rondo street, removed a man known to every early settler of St. Paul, one of the territorial pioneers. For two weeks he had been ill with pneumonia and death was not unexpected. He was eighty-three years old and had been a resident of St. Paul continuously for a period of forty-eight years.

Hector McClane Holmes was born in Johnstone, Scotland, Oct. 20, 1817. When fifteen years old he came to this country with his parents and settled in Troy, N. Y., where he resided until 1832. On April 10, 1847, he was united in marriage to Josephine Pratt, of Troy, and in 1854 Mr. and Mrs. Holmes removed to Minnesota, their one son, Robert Holmes, accompanying them. The journey was made first to Chicago and then to St. Louis and from there up the river by boat. Mr. Holmes was a painter by trade, following his business until 1880, when he retired, his son taking his place. Mrs Holmes died in 1858, four years after coming to St. Paul.

The funeral services will take place from the house Tuesday afternoon at 2 o'clock, Rev. William C. Pope officiating.