Arthur Logan Holmes was closely interwoven with the records of Detroit, figured for many years as a most capable and progressive business man of the city and as one of the political leaders of the state, serving both as member of the legislature and of the state senate. His ideals were high and his activities at all times so directed as to further the end for which be stood. Detroit had every reason to be proud to claim him as a native son, his birth having occurred in this city on the 17th of June, 1862, his parents being Oscar F. and Helen M. (Fitzgibbons) Holmes, who had a family of six children. Thy father was also a native of Michigan and devoted his life to engineering, being called to his final rest in the year 1893. Arthur L. Holmes, spending his youthful days under the parental roof, pursued his early education in the public schools of Detroit, passing through consecutive grades to the high school, from which he was graduated, and later attended the Bryant A St rat ton Business College, in which he also completed a course. Early in his business career ho spent six months as a clerk in a grocery store. He was but fourteen years of age when in 1876 he entered the employ of E. G. Allen, a leading lumber dealer of that day. The following year Mr. Allen was succeeded by George W. Loonier and Mr. Holmes remained in his employ until 1879. He thou went north, where he worked In the lumber woods, operating in various capacities and winning promotion to various executive positions. On his return to Detroit ho was given a position with William W. Crapo, who, soon recognizing the capability, resourcefulness, enterprise and reliability of Mr. Holmes, advanced him to the position of general manager In that capacity ho continued to serve until 1909, when he organized the Arthur L. Holmes Lumber Company, of which he became tho president. The business prospered from the beginning and soon attained large proportions. Mr. Holmes then extended his efforts into other fields. He became the president and treasurer of the Arthur L. Holmes Lumber & Fuel Company, was interested in Alaskan development and was president of the Michigan-Alaska Development Company, which owned extensive coal lands in the northern territory, he remained in active charge of his business interests almost to the last and steadily developed his affairs along substantial lines, his interests becoming important features in the commercial development of Detroit. The Holmes Lumber Company alone employed one hundred people and did a business amounting to a half million dollars annually. On the 17th of June, 1892, Mr. Holmes was united in marriage to Miss Marie E. Collins, a daughter of Daniel Collins, of a prominent and well known family of Ontario. Five children were born of this marriage: Oscar F., born April 5, 1893; Arthur L., born April 22, 1894; Katherine C, who is now the wife of Walter W. Watson, a business man of Brownwood, Texas; Josephine M., born November 22, 1898; and Dorothea M., born November 13, 1904. The two younger daughters are now students in the University of Michigan. The family are members of the Catholic church, of which Mr. Holmes was also a communicant. In politics he was a stanch republican and took an active interest in supporting the party at all times. He served on the staff of Governors Bliss and Warner, being appointed by the latter on the 25th of May, 1904. He served for two terms under each governor and did valuable work for his chief executives in that connection. He probably left the impress of his individuality in largest measure upon the state through his legislative experience. When only thirty-two years of age he was elected to the- state legislature, serving during the years 1895 and 1896. Again he was called upon for legislative service when in 1697 he was elected to the state senate, serving for four years, or until 1901. His chief work in the legislature had to do with the passage of the so-called ripper bills, also with the reorganization of Detroit's city department and the sheriff's salary act, which did away with the expensive "fee grab" system in Wayne county. Much attention was drawn to the "ripper" bills when they were introduced in the legislature. They centralized authority in one commissioner in the Detroit police, parks and boulevards and public works departments, the latter being then known as the board of works. At the head of all three departments there had been three or more commissioners. The act proved of the greatest benefit to the state and showed the farsightedness of Mr. Holmes, who was constantly striving to promote the welfare of community, commonwealth and country in every possible way. During the special session of the legislature called by Governor Pingree, the only bill passed by that body was one to tax the express companies in the state. Mr. Holmes sponsored this bill and it was a distinctive act of recognition of Mr. Holmes' colleagues, not only in the merit of the bill but a tribute to its sponsor. He went with the progressive wing of the republican party in support of Roosevelt in 1912 and was always a great admirer of the man who has been aptly termed "America's most typical citizen"—one who perhaps has stood more firmly for real American interests and democracy than any other man. Mr. Holmes was the close friend of many of the distinguished political leaders of Michigan and his advice and counsel were frequently sought even after he had retired from the state senate. The soundness of his judgment and the clearness of his insight were widely recognized and the value of his opinions carried weight in political councils. In 1905, during the Denby-Newberry contest for the republican congressional nomination in the first district, Mr. Holmes threw all of his support to Edwin Denby, the present secretary of the navy, who defeated Truman H. Newberry for the nomination. Mr. Holmes was a member of the Chamber of Commerce of Detroit and cooperated heartily in all plans and measures for the city's benefit and improvement. He was also a prominent member of the Detroit Athletic Club and the Fellowcraft Club and he belonged to the Sons of the American Revolution. He was likewise identified with the Knights of Columbus, which draws its membership from those of Catholic faith, Mr. Holmes being ever a loyal follower of the Catholic church. In every relation of life such were his qualities that he was accorded a position of prominence. In 1008 he published the Retail Lumberman and Scout and his high position in lumber circles was indicated in the large banquet which was held In his honor not long before he put aside the activities of life. One who knew him long and well said: "He was a clean, manly man whose word was his bond, fearless and frank, but righteously just." Mr. Holmes had served his country in the Spanish-American war and the same loyalty was manifest not only in military connections but at all times that the interests and welfare of the country might be advanced. Ho was a forceful and resourceful man and one for whom friendship increased as the individual came to know him better. Those who knew him intimately had for him the strongest attachment and all entertained for him respect and confidence, it being a matter of deep and widespread regret when he passed to the Home beyond on May 27, 1916, at the comparatively early age of fifty-four years. Mm. Holmes, who is well known socially in Detroit, is still carrying on the business left by her husband, which includes four lumber-yards, making the enterprise one of extensive and profitable proportions. The City of Detroit 1701 - 1922 Vol. 3 edited by Clarence Monroe Burton, William Stocking, Gordon K. Miller