William Allen (W.A.) Holcomb

William Allen (W.A.) Holcomb, a former railroad locomotive engineer, brought a small machine shop to Poplar Bluff in about 1896 — the beginning of the enterprise that became Holcomb W.A. Foundry & Machine Works. By 1906 he was in partnership with Robert Breuer Sr. as Breuer & Holcomb, proprietors of the Poplar Bluff Foundry & Machine Shops. On January 28, 1909 the *Poplar Bluff Republican* reported that Holcomb had purchased Breuer’s interest and become sole owner, describing the foundry and machine shops as among Poplar Bluff’s important industries and serving customers from miles around. The 1909-1910 city directory listed him as proprietor of the foundry and machine works at 623 South Fifth (telephone 249), with the family residing at 115 South Eighth Street. He also served as City Councilman for the Second Ward. His works appear in the 1911 and 1926 directories as Holcomb W A Foundry and Machine Works, 623-627 South Fifth Street. The tornado of May 9, 1927 left the plant practically a total wreck. Holcomb announced within days that it would be rebuilt, and a modern reinforced-concrete works rose on the site that summer. He remained associated with the business until his retirement in 1940, when his son Frank Hoysardt Holcomb took over. His wife, Kittie Holcomb, is listed with him in the 1909-1910 and 1931 city directories.