HARDIN SPICER HOLBROOK
686

Hardin Spicer Holbrook was the oldest son of Ralph and Nancy (Spicer) Holbrook,
 born January 14, 1835, and was buried on his hundredth birthday in the Old Roaring 
River Baptist Church cemetery.
He married on December 30, 1856, Nancy Dawson, called Dawsy, Bryan, a second cousin, 
daughter of J.Q.A. and Martha Bryan, founders of the Trap Hill Methodist Church in 1870.
 Dawsy was a steward, and they gave land for the parsonage.
In 1857 Hardin bought part of the Joseph Spicer, Sr., plantation containing the log
 dwelling on the hill above the scenic waterfall, and the Trap Hill mill.
Hardin as operator of the mill was exempt from military service in the Civil War.
When Trap Hill Seminary, Trap Hill Academy and Trap Hill Normal Institute were flourishing, 
Hardin and Dawsy were strong supporters and furnished board to many students.
Hardin and Dawsy had one daughter, Nancy, called Nannie, who married C.C. McCann, and 
lived at the homeplace, and three sons: Ralph Tyre, a successful businessman in Winston-Salem, 
who married first Pearl (Sullivan) and second Jennie Cranford; James C., who married 
Mattie (McNeill) Holbrook, widow of Attorney John A. Holbrook; and Clarence De-Loss, 
artist-photographer, teacher, merchant and postmaster at Trap Hill forty years, a leader
 in the Methodist church, Masonic lodge and school.

Sources: Wilkes records, personal knowledge, Mrs. DeLoss Holbrook 
The Heritage of Wilkes Co., North Carolina, Greensboro Public Library, Greensboro, 
North Carolina.  NC 975.682, H54.