The following obituary was published in The Pioneer News on 23 Mar 1923.
Death of J. C. Holsclaw
Mr. J. C. Holsclaw died at his home on the "Mountain Top" last Saturday evening about eight o'clock, after an illness of two months. He became ill about the 18th of January, and on the 21st pneumonia developed. He recovered from the pneumonia, but it left his heart in such a weakened condition that he was unable to regain strength. Cardiac asthma was the immediate cause of his death.
On Tuesday of this week, after services at the Baptist Church in this place, he was laid to rest in Hebron Cemetery. Rev. McKinley Norman conducted the religious services, after which the Order of Eastern Star and Masonic Lodge held services.
Clarence Holsclaw, as he was known by his host of friends, was born in Bullitt County, September 3rd 1866, son of W. Hardin and Jane Holsclaw. When about twenty-one years of age, he took charge of his father's fruit farm, known as "Mountain Top," and the remainder of his life was spent there. He was married to Miss Estella Ashby, daughter of the late Charles D. and Rowena Froman Ashby, on the 18th of October 1896. He is survived by his wife, Mrs. Estella Holsclaw, two sisters, Mrs. Dupree of Louisville and Mrs. Funk of Jefferson County, and one brother, Robert Burns Holsclaw of this county. He united with the Beech Grove Baptist Church in October 1913.
Of his life, his splendid qualities of heart and mind, his charity and usefulness, his boundless store of patience and toleration, much could be written. He was a plain man, averse to pomp and ostentation, but always glad to assist his friends in their efforts to advance. He was seen at his best in his home and out among his trees on his beloved "Mountain Top." There where the sun seems to shine brighter, where Summer lingers longest, and where Nature send forth her first fragrant blossoms to herald the coming of Spring, he was happy and contented.
He was the best fruit grower in Bullitt County. He was a road builder and a man of much public enterprise. Large of body, he was also large of heart and mind, and possessed as much good common sense as any man we ever met. As a neighbor, he could not be excelled. He was an affectionate, solicitous and considerate husband, and a friend beyond compare. He was easily one of the best, most substantial men in our county, and a man of great public spirit. Through industry and thrift, he had amassed enough of this world's goods. He had erected a splendid home in which he hoped to spend the sunset hours of life, after his years of usefulness had ended, but alas! The flowers flowers of hope blossoms to wither and die, and the sweetest dreams to be shatters. Seemingly with many years of useful, happy life before him, with his loved companion at his side; with much to live for, he was called away when life seemed sweetest and when the future was most promising.
Clarence Holsclaw had as many friends as any other man in our county. He was true. The Baptist Church was crowded with sorrowing friends who came to pay a last tribute of love to a Real Man, and this great concourse of friends and the numerous floral offerings bore witness to the fact that he was held in high esteem. We tender our sympathy to the sorrowing ones. Their loss is our loss, is Bullitt County's loss, for Clarence Holsclaw, through his public and fraternal spirit belonged to Bullitt County.
According to his death certificate, J. C. Holsclaw lived in the Pitts Point precinct. He was the son of Harden and Jane (Graham) Holsclaw. He was born 3 Sep 1866 and died 17 Mar 1923 at the age of 56.
J. Clarence Holsclaw married Estella Ashby on 28 Oct 1896 in Clark County, Indiana.
His father, William Hardin Holsclaw was born 8 Feb 1820 and died 26 Feb 1902 according to his tombstone. His mother, Jane Holsclaw was born 6 Mar 1824 and died 4 Dec 1911 according to the same stone. They are buried in Hebron Cemetery.
According to her death certificate, Jane Holsclaw was born in Indiana. Her father was William Graham; her mother's name is not given.
Clarence's brother, Robert Burns Holsclaw was born 26 Jul 1855 and died 1 Feb 1930 according to his death certificate. Another brother, James Lawrence Holsclaw was born 7 Aug 1853 and died 11 Feb 1916 according to his death certificate. His sister, Eugenia Holsclaw Funk was born 31 May 1861 and died 11 Jan 1932, a widow. His other sister's death certificate identifies her as Mrs. America Dupre, widow of Dr. Charles Dupre. She was born 2 Oct 1846 in Bullitt County and died 17 Mar 1934 in Jefferson County.
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The Bullitt County History Museum, a service of the Bullitt County Genealogical Society, is located in the county courthouse at 300 South Buckman Street (Highway 61) in Shepherdsville, Kentucky. The museum, along with its research room, is open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. Saturday appointments are available by calling 502-921-0161 during our regular weekday hours. Admission is free. The museum, as part of the Bullitt County Genealogical Society, is a 501(c)3 tax exempt organization and is classified as a 509(a)2 public charity. Contributions and bequests are deductible under section 2055, 2106, or 2522 of the Internal Revenue Code. Page last modified: 12 Jan 2024 . Page URL: bullittcountyhistory.org/bchistory/jcholsclaw.html
