BIO: William Forsman HOLT, Centre County, Pennsylvania

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Commemorative Biographical Record of Central Pennsylvania: Including the 
Counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion: Containing Biographical 
Sketches of Prominent and Representative Citizens, Etc. 
Chicago: J. H. Beers, 1898.
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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD, pages 87-88

WILLIAM FORSMAN HOLT, a wealthy mine operator residing at Philipsburg, is a 
leading spirit in the varied activities of the community.  His family has been 
prominent in this section from the days when the unbroken forests marked the 
"frontier line," and Col. John Holt, who settled in Bald Eagle Valley in 1782, 
is said to have been the first white man who followed the Indian trail to Snow 
Shoe to hunt game.  
  To go back to the origin of the family in America we find from Gilliland's 
sketches of the Snow Shoe region that a son of Sir John Holt, of England, 
emigrated to the New World and settled in the Cumberland Valley before the 
Revolution. It is supposed that he was killed by the Indians, as he was never 
heard from after leaving home for a business trip to Philadelphia. He left a 
son, Thomas, and two daughters, who were among the first settlers at Lewistown, 
Penn.  Thomas Holt had four sons and three daughters.  Of the sons, William, the 
ancestor of Judge Holt, postmaster-general during President Buchanan's 
administration, migrated to Kentucky; James was killed by Indians; Thomas went 
to Ohio, and John was the settler in Bald Eagle Valley, the love of hunting 
leading him to enter the Snow Shoe region, and it was his custom to spend a few 
weeks in the fall of each year in this pastime.  He gained his title of 
"colonel" in the Revolutionary war, and took part in several battles, among them 
being the engagement at Germantown.  He died in the summer of 1831 in his 
seventy-sixth year. Eight children survived: four sons-Thomas, James, John, 
Robert-and four daughters-Mary (who married Jacob Barnhart), Elizabeth (Mrs. 
Henry Barnhart), Jane (wife of Frederick Antis), and Nancy (Mrs. James 
Patterson).
  John Holt, our subject's grandfather, married Mary Harbison, daughter of John 
Harbison, an Englishman, who settled at Milesburg in the early days, and whose 
numerous descendants are among leading people of the locality as members of the 
Baird, Holt, Swanzy, and McKibbin families and others equally well known. Mrs. 
Mary Holt was a woman of more than ordinary mental powers, while her devoted 
Christian life and sympathetic care for the sick and afflicted, whether rich or 
poor, won the esteem of all who knew her. John Holt and his wife were both 
natives of Bald Eagle Valley, and it was not until the spring of 1822 that he 
located in the Snow Shoe region, being the third settler there. He selected for 
his home a picturesque and fertile tract of and about a mile equidistant from 
Betchtol and Askey, and engaged in farming and lumbering.  His life was one of 
great usefulness, and he was universally respected, being frequently called upon 
to serve in township offices, including that of justice of the peace, which he 
held for many years. His wife died July 9, 1867, at the age of seventy-two, and 
November 23, 1869, he breathed his last at the home of his daughter, Mrs. 
Hughey, in Princeton, Ill., while on a visit. His remains were brought home and 
now rest in Snow Shoe Cemetery. This estimable couple reared a family of three 
daughters, and two sons: William, our subject's father; and Hon. J. H. Holt, a 
prominent citizen of this section, at one time a member of the State 
Legislature.  
  William Holt was born in Bald Eagle Valley. He married Mary Forsman, a native 
of White Deer Valley, Lycoming Co., Penn., and daughter of William Forsman, a 
lumberman, and his wife, Eliza (Buchannan), who were both born in that locality, 
coming to Centre County in the pioneer days, but later moving to Illinois, where 
they spent their last days. William Holt settled in Snow Shoe Township, Centre 
County, in 1822, and was prominently connected with the development of his 
locality as a farmer and lumberman.  He was the only person who was killed in 
the accident on the Snow Shoe railroad, June 11, 1878. As he was on his way to a 
political meeting the train, a local freight with a coach attached, broke 
through a trestle and fell sixty-four feet. His death was a great blow to his 
family, and caused sincere mourning throughout the community. He belonged to the 
Masonic order, and was a Knight Templar. His widow now resides at Philipsburg. 
They had the following children: Sue is the deceased wife of Capt. John Gillen, 
lieutenant of the Watch in the Patent Office, at Washington, D. C.; Isabella, 
widow of C. G. Hirlinger, resides in Phil

COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD - 88

lipsburg; Charles H. is a successful physician at Grand Rapids, Mich.; William 
F. is mentioned more fully below; Clara died at the age of eighteen; Sarah M. 
died when three years old; Lida married Frank Whitman, a merchant at Piedmont, 
W. Va.; Maud married Harry McD. Lorain, of Philipsburg, and died in .February, 
1897; Norman A. is a storekeeper at the Snow Shoe mine.
  W. F. Holt, the subject proper of this sketch, was born at the old homestead 
in Snow Shoe Township, Centre County, December 14, 1856, and there his youth was 
mainly spent, his elementary education being supplemented by a course of study 
during 1874 and 1875 in the Normal School at Millersville, Lancaster Co., Penn. 
At his father's death he was appointed administrator of the estate, and at 
present he is the attorney for the estate. Until 1892 he was engaged in the 
lumber business; but since that date his time has been occupied with his 
extensive coal operations. In June 1894, he organized the Snow Shoe Mining Co., 
of which M. D.  Kelley has since become president, with T. B.  Budinger, 
treasurer, and which he as manager has successfully conducted. The mine has a 
capacity of from 250 to 300 tons per day.
  Mr. Holt has an interest in the old homestead, and at times resides there. He 
has never married. Socially, he is prominent, and he belongs to Bellefonte 
Lodge, F. & A. M., and Moshannon Commandery, K. T., of which he is at the 
present time E. C. In politics he is a Democrat.