BIOGRAPHIES:   Louis HOLT, Dallas Township, Barron County, WI

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This file was contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by:  
Vic Gulickson <vic@indy.net>  6 February 2001	
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Louis Holt, a prominent citizen living on Section 13, west, Dallas Township,
is one of the best known men in this part of the county. He came here from 
Eau Claire, this state, in 1888, and took up his home at Dallas, where he
lived until 1901, when he moved onto his present farm of 40 acres, which he
had purchased in 1897. For some years he worked in the sawmills at Dallas.
He was a skilled and faithful workman, and had the respect of his fellows and
the confidence of his employers. For some time he operated the stage from
Chetek to Dallas and Prairie Farm, before the railroad came through. He was
also a transfer contractor and hauled most of the stone which went into the
foundations of many of the early buildings in Dallas. He built up a wide
acquaintance, and from time to time, as opportunity presented, made some
profitable real estate deals, buying, holding and selling. At one time he
owned 400 acres, in addition to the lots on which his pleasant cottage in
Dallas Village was erected. For fifteen years he bought and sold cattle, and
in this capacity did much to build up Barron County herds, and to find a
market for Barron County cattle, thus giving an impetus to Barron County
agriculture. In all these various lines of endeavor, he came in contact with
many people, and his genial disposition and honest dealing made him friends
among all whom he met. His farm has been his hobby, he took pride in
developing it into a good place, and he still has a comfortable home there,
and continues to do a little work about the garden, though he is practically
retired from farm work. As a leader among his fellowman, it is natural that 
he should have been called to considerable public service. Since 1914 he has 
done excellent work as president of the Dallas Telephone Co. For four years
he was a member of the county weed commission. He was also a valued member of
the school board of his district for several terms. In addition to this he
has served on numerous committees and delegations, especially during the
war. Mr. Holt was born in Norway, April 4, 1861, the son of Martin and Mary
(Larson) Martinson, both natives of that country and both now deceased. He 
was reared and educated in his native land, and did farm work there for 
several years. For a time he was yardman for a prominent physician. In 1888 
he came to America and lived a few months at Eau Claire, this state, before 
coming to Barron County. Mr. Holt was married in 1884, to Carrie A. 
Christianson, who was born in Norway, July 14, 1861, the daughter of 
Christian and Martha (Halverson) Hanson, both now deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Holt 
are the parents of ten children. Christ M. was born April 9, 1885, and is a 
carpenter, living in Iowa. Hans was born Dec. 22, 1887, and is foreman in a 
car shop in Duluth, Minn. Mary C. was born March 29, 1889, and is the wife of 
Emery Arnold, of Crosby, Minn. Lottie E. was born Feb. 19, 1891. Clara was 
born Nov. 9, 1892, and is the wife of Louis Halverson. Inga was born March 26, 1895, 
and is the wife of Roy Sugrue, of Crosby, Minn. Hannah was born Feb. 14, 1898, 
and is the wife of Leonard Revord. Sirn was born Nov. 25, 1900.  Oscar was 
born April 1, 1903. Hilda A. was born Nov. 9, 1906. The family faith is that 
of the Norwegian Lutheran Church.

--Taken from: History of Barron Co., Wisconsin, H. C. Cooper, Jr., &
Co., 1922, pp. 862-863.