Biographical Sketch of

John Holt

Transcribed by Suzanne Folk for the Marquette Co WI Pages



Source: Portrait and Biographical Album of Green Lake, Marquette and Waushara Counties, Wisconsin, 
published 1890 by Acme Publishing Co., Chicago, Pages 397 and 398

John Holt, one of the leading and progressive farmers of Green Lake County, now makes his home on section 12, in 
the town of Berlin. He is a native of the Empire State, having been born in Columbus Township, Chenango County, 
Nov. 28, 1816. The family is of Irish descent, but the parents of our subject, Elijah and Anna (Dickey) Holt, were 
natives of New Hampshire, the former born in 1772, the later in 1777. Soon after their marriage they removed to 
Chenango County, N.Y., being among its early settlers. There Mr. Holt cleared a tract of land from the heavy timber 
with which it was covered, plowed the ground, planted crops and soon had a fine farm. He was one of the leading and 
influential citizens of that community, where both he and his wife passed the remainder of their lives. They lived 
to an advanced age and died in the faith of the Presbyterian Church, of which they were members.

Our subject is one of a family of four children but the other members do not reside in Wisconsin. The family originally 
numbered eleven children but seven are now deceased. As his father was in limited circumstances, as soon as he was 
old enough, John had to begin life for himself, having since the age of twelve years been dependent upon his own 
resources. He received but limited educational advantages, but observation and experience have made him a well-informed 
man and acquainted him with valuable knowledge which he could never have learned from text books. As before stated at 
the age of twelve years he began working as a farm hand, and to his father gave his earnings. He also purchased the 
first piece of land for Mr. Holt that he ever owned, and faithfully performed the duties of a son. He came to the West 
in 1844, with a view of bettering his financial condition and for about three years made Belvidere, Ill., the scene of 
his labors. He was there engaged in carpentering, but at the end of that time came to Wisconsin and in the fall of 
1846 settled in Beloit, Rock County, where he was employed in the machine shops until 1849. In that year he came to 
Green Lake County and turned his attention to farming, purchasing eighty acres of wild land in the town of Berlin. He 
had but little money and had to give his note for the greater part of the amount, but when the crops yielded a return 
for his labor, he made payments upon his place until the whole indebtedness was cleared away. He has added to the 
original amount until it now comprises 155 acres, all of which is under a high state of cultivation. He has made many 
excellent improvements, erected good buildings and stocked his farm with the best grades of horses, cattle and hogs. 
Neatness and regularity everywhere abound and indicate the supervision of a careful and painstaking owner who thoroughly 
understands his business and has the energy and determination to put into execution his practical and progressive ideas.

The same year in which Mr. Holt settled in Rock County he was united in marriage with Miss Ann M. Foster, the wedding 
taking place on the 31st of May, 1846. The lady was born in Ware Township, Hampshire Co., Mass., July 23, 1823, and is 
a daughter of Asahel and Avis (Topliff) Foster, who were also natives of Massachusetts. After their marriage they 
removed to New York, thence to Pennsylvania and subsequently to Boon County, Ill., but after a short time settled in 
Kenosha County, Wis., where they made their home until 1846, when they became residents of Winnebago County. The death 
of the father there occurred at the age of sixty-three and his wife departed this life in the eighty-fourth year of her 
age. He took an active part in public affairs, was a prominent and influential citizen and held several local offices. 
In religious faith he and his wife were Presbyterians. Their family numbered four children, of whom two are now living.

For the long period of forty years Mr. Holt has made his home in this community, and wherever known is held in high 
regard. On attaining his majority he identified himself with the Whig party; later he joined the Free Soil party and on 
its organization allied himself with the Republican party, which he supported until a few years past, since which time 
he has been a Prohibitionist. The cause of temperance has ever found a warm advocate in him and for twenty-eight years 
he has been a leading member of the Good Templars Society. He held the office of Side Supervisor in his town for five 
years and faithfully discharged the duties devolving upon him. By the union of John Holt and Ann Foster five children 
have been born-Mary F., wife of James Brewer, who died leaving one child; Adda M., wife of William Fridd; Avis, wife 
of Arthur Foote, by whom she has one child; Lillian S., wife of Charles Foote; and William N., who is operating the 
home farm, thus relieving his father from all care.






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