The Holmes brothers, Jim, Wilse, and Earl, were born soiuth of Warrensburg,
     Missouri. They proved up a claim in Oklahoma in 1899 and spent two years 
     there. They came to Barber County in 1901 and bought the beginning of what
     is now known as the Holmes Ranch.
       In 1904 Wilse was married to Zetta Kanier from Coats. This romance began
     when both families proved up claims in Oklahoma, near Freedom. A few years
     later, Jim married Lola Williams, his childhood sweetheart from Warrensburg,
     Missouri.
       After about five years of working together, they each established homes
     and ranches of their own. Their ranches joined and were located on Mule Creek.
       They wre interested in maintaining and keeping up the standard of the 
     Elwood School. Union Chapel Church was built in 1908, and the Holmes families
     were very much interested in its organization and continuation. The community
     all worked together to build their first church.
       Elmer Holmes was born in 1906 to Wilse and Zetta Holmes on the Holmes ranch.
     Edith, his sister, was born in 1914. Elmer attended school at the Elwood grad
     school and the Medicine Lodge high school. He always enjoyed mechanics and
     attended Sweeny Auto and Electric School in Kansas City, Missouri. Working
     with motors and machinery became a much enjoyed hobby. He bought an airplane
     in 1952 and received his pilots license.
       Elmer was married to Barbara Reid from Clinton, Missouri, in 1937. They
     started housekeeping on their ranch near Union Chapel. Their daughter, Evelyn, 
     was born in Alva, Oklahoma in 1939. Evelyn was married to Pete Wolkins in
     1957, and they live in Warsaw, Indiana. They have two daughters, Tanua and
     Connie. Elmer was a farmer and rancher until ill health forced him to retire.
     They moved to Medicine Lodge in July 1976. Elmer passed away in May, 1977.
                 
     Source:Chosen Land - Barber County, Kansas,  pg. 236