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As a young boy, my GGrandmother told me stories about the past, and one story pertained to two brothers of her mother who enlisted in the Civil War. One fought for the north and the other for the south. I always thought it strange that brothers would fight against each other, but she said their names were Ben Holeman and Jess Holeman.JESSE W. HOLEMAN was born in Hopkins County, Kentucky around 1836 according to census records. He was the second child of William M. Holeman and Catherine S. Baker, and spend his youth in the area where Hopkins County, Caldwell County and Union County met. In 1860, this area became Webster County, Kentucky.
On November 7, 1857, in Montgomery County, Tennessee, Jesse married Nancy Jane Morehead, who was the daughter of James Morehead and Patience H. Sigler. She was born October 5, 1843 in Union County, Kentucky and had lived most of her life in the same area. The reason for the marriage in Tennessee has never surfaced, and it could have been the first signs of an independent spirit. Most believe they ran away and were married without the consent of the families.
In 1860, Jesse and Nancy Holeman were living in Webster County, Kentucky of which he listed his trade as that of a farmer. His only child, Hardy Freeman Holeman, was born in May that year.
On February 25, 1864, Jesse W. Holeman enlisted in the Union Army at Moweaqua, Shelby County, Illinois. The reason why he went against his family and embraced the northern cause has never been mentioned in early writings or family lore. The other family members were ardent in the belief of the Confederacy. He was assigned to Company A, 10th Illinois Cavalry, which was under the command of Lt. Col. James Stuart, and spent most of its time in 1864 in the state of Arkansas. In 1865, he was in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, attached to the 2nd Brigade, Cavalry Division.
On July 22, 1865, Jesse W. Holeman died of typhoid fever at the Base Hospital at Baton Rouge, Louisiana. He is buried at the National Cemetery located at the same place.
Transcribed by Larry Martin
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