James William Holt (1840 - 1922)

Born 18 Sep 1840 in Baker Co. Georgia

Died 8 Feb 1922 at age 81 in Colorado Co. Texas

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Biography

Burial

Weimar Masonic Cemetery, Weimar, Colorado County, Texas, USA [1]

Obituary

Holt, J. W. Death of Pioneer Citizen of Colorado County

Prof. J. W. Holt, Prominent Educator of Our County Succumbs After Long Illness

While not unexpected, still when the wires flashed the news of Prof. James W. Holt’s death to this city at an early hour Monday morning, many hearts throughout this city and section were inexpressibly saddened, for few men have been held in such tender esteem by the citizens of our county as was Professor Holt, for many, many, years a resident of Weimar.

His death occurred at 4 o’clock Monday morning at the residence of his daughter, Mrs. Henry Hurr of Flatonia, where he had made his home since the death of his beloved wife in May last. The remains were tenderly prepared for burial and that afternoon at 4 o’clock committed to mother earth in the Odd Fellows’ Cemetery, in the presence of a large assemblage of sorrowing relatives and friends from all over the county, Rev. J. C. Wilson, local Methodist pastor, performing the funeral obsequies.

The floral offerings at the grave were many and beautiful, Colorado Chapter of the Daughters of the Confederacy, of Columbus, sending an especially beautiful floral tribute in honor of the dead Confederate soldier.

An especially noticeable fact was that the active pall bearers were all former students of decedent, they being Leo, Ellis and Gus Miller, John C. Hoyo, Clieve Obenhaus and Henry Scheller, all grown men now and occupying prominent places in the business world. Many of Mr. Holt’s former pupils were present at the funeral and although all are now grown, settled men, they were not ashamed of the tears which welled into their eyes over the death of their beloved teacher.

Prof. James W. Holt was born Sept. 18, 1840 in Baker county, Ga. He came to Texas in 1849 with his mother and stepfather, the late John Tooke. For one year the family lived on a farm one mile east of Columbus, then moved to a place two miles from Oakland and known today at the old “John Tooke place.” When a boy of 17 he was sent to military school at Bastrop, where he remained for two years. This school was under the control and direction of Colonel R. T. P. Allen. T. A. Hill of this city was also a student of this school at the same time. At the conclusion of the Civil War, Mr. Holt attended the New Orleans Commercial College, receiving a diploma from that school. At the age of 20 he went back to Georgia on a visit to his sister, Mrs. Susie Pearce. It was at that time the Civil War broke out, and he enlisted as a volunteer from Georgia. He soon became first lieutenant of Company B, 22nd Battalion, Georgia Artillery. The most of his active service during the war was seen in the battles which took place in Virginia; he being a participant in the famous Seven Days’ Battle and the Battle of the Wilderness. He was one of those who surrendered at Appomattox and was one of the Confederate soldiers that had the distinction of shaking hands with General Lee after the surrender, when farewells were spoken. After the war he returned to Texas where he taught school the remainder of his active days.

Mr. Holt was married to Rebecca Purcell Jan. 21, 1874. Two children survive this union – Mrs. Bettie Hurr of Flatonia and Lester Hold, esq.,. of Halletsville. His second marriage was to Mrs. Emma (Yancey) Toliver of Columbus, Nov. 24,1880. Two children were the fruits of this union – Ben B. Holt of this city, and Will H. Holt of Waelder. A stepdaughter, Mrs. Jessie Townsend of this city, is included among the surviving children. He also leaves six sisters –Mesdames Martha Tooke of Lockhart, Mrs. Fannie Ferrell of this city, Mrs. Kate Herndon of Houston, Mrs. J. C. Kindred of Columbus, Mrs. Nannie Rhodes and Miss Callie Tooke of Bryan.

Mr. Holt was a member of the Methodist Church having joined same at the age of 14 years.

Few men have ever attained the popularity of Mr. Holt. In the days of health and strength, it mattered not where he was, he was always welcomed. He taught school at many places throughout Colorado county, was known to practically all our citizens and no man was ever more welcome in the family circles than Mr. Holt, people feeling honored and delighted to have him as a guest. As an educator he had few equals, his system being so thorough that no student ever forgot what he learned under his instruction. There are today many prominent business men in various parts of Texas who received the best part of their education under Mr. Holt – bankers, lawyers, merchants and other lines and almost without variableness all are of the highs business acumen.

As a citizen Mr. Holt possessed the highest popularity. He was a man of friendly disposition, with a pleasant greeting for every one he met, and it was really and truly a treat to be in his presence, for his genial disposition often acted as an inspiration to those who felt “down and out.” As a husband, father, citizen, friend and neighbor, he was all that could be desired and in his death there are countless saddened hearts wherever he was known. God bless and comfort the bereaved ones is our sincere prayer. Weimar Mercury, February 10, 1922

Sources

"Texas Marriages, 1837-1973," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:FX3V-JJ3 : 5 December 2014), J. W. Holt and Emma H. Toliver, 24 Nov 1880; citing , Colorado, Texas, , reference 2:1HLNP3W; FHL microfilm 969,534.