Despite the national conflict in the 1860s, life for Joseph Holman and others people of West Pikeland Township continued as normal in many ways. Holman's store and tailoring business continued to thrive, selling everyday items such as coffee and boots. Real estate continued to change hands. People still attended events such as temperance meetings, abolitionist gatherings and lectures at the local lyceum.

Things were not entirely normal of course, with about 10% of our able-bodied men away serving our country. People were frightened for their homes too. In the summer of 1863, we feared Confederate troops might march right through our neighborhoods. The Union victory at Gettysburg ended that scare.

While life went on as normal for many people of the township, some individuals suffered greatly during the war. Catherine Emery, a poor widow with two sons, worked as a housekeeper and had no real property of her own. Her two sons, Isaac and Joseph, were both killed during the war. But the community did not ignore Catherine's plight. Like others in her situation, she received a weekly payment from the County Board of Relief to help her live a somewhat normal life. In her case it was 1$ a week, even before her sons died.