Thomas Holtan

HOLTAN, TORGERSON, THORVILDSON, FJELSTAD, HAUGEN

Posted By: Peter Gausmann (email)
Date: 1/12/2010 at 04:34:47

THOMAS HOLTAN

For many years Thomas Holtan has been prominently identified with the agricultural and business interests of Winnebago county and has been an important factor in the development of this region along various lines. He resides upon the old homestead on section 16, Mount Valley township, which his father purchased on coming to this county in 1866, and is successfully engaged in its operation. He is also interested in a number of business enterprises that have an important bearing upon the prosperity of the locality.

Mr. Holtan was born in Olmsted county, Minnesota, on the 3d of January, 1866, and is a son of Hans and Margit (Torgerson) Holtan, who came to the United States from Norway in 1862 and located in Olmsted county, Minnesota, but after residing there for four years came to Winnebago county, Iowa. The father purchased a quarter section of land on section 16, Mount Valley township, but did not locate there until the spring of 1867, the family spending the winter with Harris Olson. Mr. Holtan began the erection of a log house upon his farm but only completed about a third of it at that time. Into this the family moved and continued to live about five years before the entire building was roofed and finished. In 1885 Mr. Holtan bought an adjoining eighty acres but the following year went to McLean county, North Dakota, where he took up a homestead and continued to reside until his death, which occurred on the 3d of October, 1915. His wife had passed away July 6, 1906. As a republican he took a very active and prominent part in local politics in early days and filled a number of offices, including those of road commissioner, school director, school treasurer and assessor. Both he and his wife were faithful members of the United Lutheran church and were most estimable people. He became a large land owner having at one time nine hundred and sixty acres in McLean county, North Dakota, and three hundred and twenty acres in Montana.

It was during his infancy that Thomas Holtan was brought to Winnebago county, where he was reared and educated in much the usual manner of farmer boys at that time. When his father went to North Dakota, he took charge of the home farm here, which he operated alone for two years and later in partnership with his brother Halvor, but a year after his marriage this business connection was dissolved and Halvor removed to his own farm. Thomas Holtan continued to rent the old homestead for the following four years and operated it independently. In 1896 he purchased the place and has since made many improvements thereon, including the erection of good modern farm buildings, so that it is now one of the best improved farms of the locality. Mr. Holtan has not confined his attention solely to agricultural pursuits but is now serving as president of the Citizens Mutual Telephone Company, is a stockholder and director of the Forest City Cooperative Creamery Company; a stockholder of the Lake Mills Lumber Company; and of both the Leland and Forest City Farmers Elevator Companies.

On the 3d of June, 1891, Mr. Holtan was united in marriage to Miss Esther Thorvildson, a daughter of Aslag Thorvildson, who came to the United States from Norway about 1861 and settled in Fillmore county, Minnesota, but in 1865 became a resident of Center township, Winnebago county, Iowa. To Mr. and Mrs. Holtan have been born nine children, all of whom are still living, namely: Tilda A., at home; Mabel H., the wife of Theodore Fjelstad, of Center township; Edwin C.; Sarah A.; the wife of Peter Haugen, a farmer residing near Leland; and Ella H., Agnes B., Hilda G., Hans O. and Bertha K., all at home.

Since attaining his majority Mr. Holtan has affiliated with the republican party and he is now serving his third term as township trustee. He has filled the office of school treasurer for twenty years and has always taken an active and commendable interest in public affairs. He and his family hold membership in the United Lutheran church and are people of prominence in the community where they reside.

Source: History of Winnebago County and Hancock County, Iowa: A Record of Settlement, Organization, Progress and Achievement, Vol. II. Pioneer Publishing Company (Chicago), 1917. pp. 376-377.