Biography of William L. Holt, Randolph Co, AR *********************************************************** Submitted by: Bridgette Cohen Date: 1998 Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm *********************************************************** SOURCE: Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Northeast Arkansas Copyrighted and Published 1889 by Goodspeed Publishing Company William L. Holt, justice of the peace, Warm Springs, Ark. To the person who closely applies himself to any occupation which he has chosen as his calling through life there can be but one result-that of success. The above mentioned gentleman has been an agriculturist the principal part of his life, and success has marked his efforts. He has a farm of 240 acres, 100 being under cultivation, has a good house and barn, and over his broad acres may be seen many horses and cattle, for he is also a prominent stock farmer. He has received assistance from no one, but is simply the architect of his own fortune. His birth occurred in Randolph County, Ark., January 1, 1842, and he is the son of John and Mary (Barrett) Holt, natives of Missouri and Alabama, respectively. The parents were married in 1839. The elder Mr. Holt was born in May, 1814, and died January 12, 1862. He came to Arkansas with his father when only seven years of age, and was reared in this county. He received but a limited education, and tilling the soil was his principal occupation during life. His wife was born in May, 1818, and died March 4, 1884. She was a member of the Christian Church. Mr. Holt was quite active in politics, and cast his last vote for Stephen A. Douglass. Although a Democrat he opposed the Rebellion. The maternal grandfather of our subject was in the War of 1812, served under Gen. Jackson, and was at the battle of New Orleans. The paternal grandfather was one of the pioneers of Missouri, and during his early life in Washington County, of that State, had many fights with the Indians. He came to Raudolph County, Ark., as early as 1821, and many interesting and exciting times did he have with the Indians in this section. Buffaloes and many wild animals were also very plentiful. He was a hatter by trade, a prominent Mason, and was one of the leading men of the county. William L. Holt was [p.399] reared in his native county, and had only limited educational advantages, but these he improved, and is now one of the best posted men to be found in the county. He was married October 18, 1862, to Miss Nancy G. Philips, a native of Tennessee, and they have two children, W. A., engaged in merchandising at Warm Springs, married to Miss Melissa Dalton, of Warm Springs, in November, 1886, and has one child, John R., living at Doniphan, Mo., and is clerking in a store. He has been attending school for some time at that place. Our subject, W. L. Holt, was in the Confederate army, enlisting in 1862, and surrendering at Jacksonport, Ark., June 5, 1865. He was on Gen. Price's raid through Missouri, and took part in numerous engagements. He returned to his home at the close of the war, and engaged in farming and stock raising, which he has carried on in a very successful manner ever since. In 1878 he was elected justice of the peace, and served two terms. He was re-elected in 1884, and has held the position since, this making his fifth term. In 1888 he was a member of the Democratic State Convention, has been school director several terms, and has held many minor offices. At the time of his marriage he was not possessed of a great amount of this world's goods, but he has been successful in all his undertakings, and is now prepared to enjoy life. He is Democratic in his politics. Mrs. Holt is a member of the Baptist Church, and he also holds to this faith.