BIO: William Forsman HOLT, Centre County, Pennsylvania Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by Wayne Barner Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/centre/ _______________________________________________ Commemorative Biographical Record of Central Pennsylvania: Including the Counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion: Containing Biographical Sketches of Prominent and Representative Citizens, Etc. Chicago: J. H. Beers, 1898. _______________________________________________ COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD, pages 87-88 WILLIAM FORSMAN HOLT, a wealthy mine operator residing at Philipsburg, is a leading spirit in the varied activities of the community. His family has been prominent in this section from the days when the unbroken forests marked the "frontier line," and Col. John Holt, who settled in Bald Eagle Valley in 1782, is said to have been the first white man who followed the Indian trail to Snow Shoe to hunt game. To go back to the origin of the family in America we find from Gilliland's sketches of the Snow Shoe region that a son of Sir John Holt, of England, emigrated to the New World and settled in the Cumberland Valley before the Revolution. It is supposed that he was killed by the Indians, as he was never heard from after leaving home for a business trip to Philadelphia. He left a son, Thomas, and two daughters, who were among the first settlers at Lewistown, Penn. Thomas Holt had four sons and three daughters. Of the sons, William, the ancestor of Judge Holt, postmaster-general during President Buchanan's administration, migrated to Kentucky; James was killed by Indians; Thomas went to Ohio, and John was the settler in Bald Eagle Valley, the love of hunting leading him to enter the Snow Shoe region, and it was his custom to spend a few weeks in the fall of each year in this pastime. He gained his title of "colonel" in the Revolutionary war, and took part in several battles, among them being the engagement at Germantown. He died in the summer of 1831 in his seventy-sixth year. Eight children survived: four sons-Thomas, James, John, Robert-and four daughters-Mary (who married Jacob Barnhart), Elizabeth (Mrs. Henry Barnhart), Jane (wife of Frederick Antis), and Nancy (Mrs. James Patterson). John Holt, our subject's grandfather, married Mary Harbison, daughter of John Harbison, an Englishman, who settled at Milesburg in the early days, and whose numerous descendants are among leading people of the locality as members of the Baird, Holt, Swanzy, and McKibbin families and others equally well known. Mrs. Mary Holt was a woman of more than ordinary mental powers, while her devoted Christian life and sympathetic care for the sick and afflicted, whether rich or poor, won the esteem of all who knew her. John Holt and his wife were both natives of Bald Eagle Valley, and it was not until the spring of 1822 that he located in the Snow Shoe region, being the third settler there. He selected for his home a picturesque and fertile tract of and about a mile equidistant from Betchtol and Askey, and engaged in farming and lumbering. His life was one of great usefulness, and he was universally respected, being frequently called upon to serve in township offices, including that of justice of the peace, which he held for many years. His wife died July 9, 1867, at the age of seventy-two, and November 23, 1869, he breathed his last at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Hughey, in Princeton, Ill., while on a visit. His remains were brought home and now rest in Snow Shoe Cemetery. This estimable couple reared a family of three daughters, and two sons: William, our subject's father; and Hon. J. H. Holt, a prominent citizen of this section, at one time a member of the State Legislature. William Holt was born in Bald Eagle Valley. He married Mary Forsman, a native of White Deer Valley, Lycoming Co., Penn., and daughter of William Forsman, a lumberman, and his wife, Eliza (Buchannan), who were both born in that locality, coming to Centre County in the pioneer days, but later moving to Illinois, where they spent their last days. William Holt settled in Snow Shoe Township, Centre County, in 1822, and was prominently connected with the development of his locality as a farmer and lumberman. He was the only person who was killed in the accident on the Snow Shoe railroad, June 11, 1878. As he was on his way to a political meeting the train, a local freight with a coach attached, broke through a trestle and fell sixty-four feet. His death was a great blow to his family, and caused sincere mourning throughout the community. He belonged to the Masonic order, and was a Knight Templar. His widow now resides at Philipsburg. They had the following children: Sue is the deceased wife of Capt. John Gillen, lieutenant of the Watch in the Patent Office, at Washington, D. C.; Isabella, widow of C. G. Hirlinger, resides in Phil COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD - 88 lipsburg; Charles H. is a successful physician at Grand Rapids, Mich.; William F. is mentioned more fully below; Clara died at the age of eighteen; Sarah M. died when three years old; Lida married Frank Whitman, a merchant at Piedmont, W. Va.; Maud married Harry McD. Lorain, of Philipsburg, and died in .February, 1897; Norman A. is a storekeeper at the Snow Shoe mine. W. F. Holt, the subject proper of this sketch, was born at the old homestead in Snow Shoe Township, Centre County, December 14, 1856, and there his youth was mainly spent, his elementary education being supplemented by a course of study during 1874 and 1875 in the Normal School at Millersville, Lancaster Co., Penn. At his father's death he was appointed administrator of the estate, and at present he is the attorney for the estate. Until 1892 he was engaged in the lumber business; but since that date his time has been occupied with his extensive coal operations. In June 1894, he organized the Snow Shoe Mining Co., of which M. D. Kelley has since become president, with T. B. Budinger, treasurer, and which he as manager has successfully conducted. The mine has a capacity of from 250 to 300 tons per day. Mr. Holt has an interest in the old homestead, and at times resides there. He has never married. Socially, he is prominent, and he belongs to Bellefonte Lodge, F. & A. M., and Moshannon Commandery, K. T., of which he is at the present time E. C. In politics he is a Democrat.