Peter C. Holt

HOLT

Posted By: Gordon Felland (email)
Date: 10/10/2006 at 22:18:19

Peter C. Holt, distributing agent of the Standard Oil Company at Northwood, was born in Tromso, Norway, on the 3d of July, 1880, a son of Inver and Christina Holt. His parents were born, reared and married in Norway, where the father engaged in merchandising in early manhood, but later followed the fishing trade until 1882. In that year he severed the ties that bound him to his native land and came with his family to the United States, settling in Freeborn county, Minnesota, where he later purchased a farm which he cultivated for some time. At a subsequent date he invested in farm lands in Worth county, Iowa, becoming owner of a tract of one hundred and sixty acres in Silver Lake township, upon which he took up his abode. He continued to care for and develop this farm until he retired from active life. He still occupies the farm, however, which is now being cultivated by his son Edwin. In his political views the father is a republican and his religious faith is that of the Lutheran church. His life has been characterized by high and honorable principles and in all of his relations with his fellowmen he has attempted to follow the Golden Rule.

Peter C. Holt spent his boyhood days upon the home farm in Freeborn county, Minnesota, and Worth county, Iowa, having been but two years of age when his parents left Norway and crossed the Atlantic to the new world. He enjoyed the educational opportunities accorded in the schools of these two counties and when not occupied with his textbooks he assisted in the work of the home farm, remaining with his father until he attained his majority. He was then married and removed to a farm of his own in Bristol township, where he had a quarter section of land, which he carefully cultivated and improved, remaining upon that farm for seven years. He withdrew from active connection with agricultural pursuits, however, in 1908 and removed to Northwood, where he accepted his present position as distributing agent for the Standard Oil Company. He has since made his home in the city and is most comfortably situated.

On the 28th of February, 1903, Mr. Holt was united in marriage to Miss Theo Breen, a daughter of Elling and Margaret Breen and a native of Silver Lake township, Worth county. Her parents were among the early settlers of that locality. They came to the United States in a sailing vessel and cast in their lot with the pioneer residents of Worth county. At the time of their arrival there were many Indians in this section of the state and the most farsighted could not have dreamed of the changes which were to occur and transform the wild and undeveloped region into the prosperous and productive section which it is today. Her father is now deceased but her mother is still living, and her memory forms one of the connecting links between the primitive past and the progressive present.

Mr. and Mrs. Holt are consistent members of the Lutheran church and fraternally he is connected with the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks and with the Modern Woodmen of America. His political allegiance is given to the republican party, but the honors and emoluments of office have had no attraction for him. Aside from exercising his right of franchise in support of the candidates of the party he is not an active party worker, always preferring to give his thought and attention to business affairs, yet he is not remiss in the duties of citizenship and willingly lends his aid and cooperation to any plan or movement for civic betterment.

Source: History of Mitchell and Worth Counties, Iowa, 1918, Vol. II, Pages 506 & 507.