The
biographical annals of Marion County, Illinois, would be incomplete were
there failure to make specific mention of the honorable gentleman, whose
name introduces this review, who is one of the county's ablest and most
distinguished native sons, for he had the sagacity early in youth to see
that better opportunities waited for him right here on his native heath than
other where, consequently his life labors have been confined to this
locality rather than in distant and precarious fields, and judging from the
eminent success he has here attained he was fortunate in coming to this
decision — to remain at home. Judge Holt has been prominently identified
with the industrial, material and civic progress of the community, having
ever stood for loyal and public-spirited citizenship, having been a potent
factor in bringing about the wonderful development in this favored section,
contributing his influence and energy in the transformation which has made
this one of the leading counties of the state, with its highly cultivated
farms, thriving towns and villages, its school-houses, churches and all
other evidences of progress and culture, and he is today not only one of the
leading attorneys and among the most highly honored citizens of Salem, the
beautiful and thriving county seat, but is recognized as one of the foremost
men at the bar in the state. In all the relations of life he has been
faithful to all the trusts reposed in him, performing his duty
conscientiously and with due regard for the welfare of others often at the
sacrifice of his own best interests and pleasures.
Charles H. Holt
was born near Vernon, Marion county, Illinois, October 1, 1868, the only
child of William H. Holt, and Sarah (Parsons) Holt, the former a native of
Union county, and the latter a native of the state of Ohio. They were
married in Marion county. The mother of the subject was called to her rest
in November, 1892. William H. Holt is living in 1908, and making his home
with the subject in Salem. The father was a soldier is the One Hundred and
Eleventh Illinois Volunteer Infantry, having enlisted under Col. James S.
Martin, who afterward became a general. Mr. Holt served gallantly for three
years, or until his enlistment expired, his principal services being with
Sherman on his march to the sea, and his campaigns around Atlanta. William
H. Holt has been a useful and industrious man, scrupulously honest and he
yet exercises considerable influence in his community. He and his worthy
life companion spared no pains in giving their son, our subject, every
possible advantage and encouragement to make the most of life, and many of
his sterling attributes and noble traits of character may be traced to the
wholesome home influence and uplifting environment in which he was reared.
Henry Holt, grandfather of the subject, was one of the first settlers of
Marion county, having come here from Tennessee, and participated in
organizing the county and many of the county offices were indebted to his
sound judgment for their early development. He was a public-spirited man and
did an incalculable amount of good in furthering the interests of his
community. Like many of the hardy pioneers of those early times, he
possessed many sterling qualities and won the admiration of all who knew
him.
Charles H. Holt, our subject, attended the country schools
during the winter months while living on his father's farm and later the
Salem high school, from which he graduated in the class of 1889. Being an
ambitious lad from the first he applied himself most assiduously and
outstripped many of the less courageous plodders of his day, making
excellent grades. After leaving the high school he engaged in teaching with
marked success for one year, then, thirsting for more knowledge, he entered
Northwestern University at Chicago, taking a preparatory course the first
year. Believing that his true life work lay along legal lines, he spent
three years in a law office in Chicago and then located at Kinmundy, this
county, and while living here, where his success was instantaneous, he
became popular with his party, which nominated him for the responsible
position of county judge, and he was subsequently elected by a handsome
majority in 1898, serving two terms with entire satisfaction to his
constituents and all concerned and in such a manner as to reflect great
credit upon his ability, manifesting from the first that he had unmistakable
judicial talent and a profound knowledge of law in its variegated phases.
In 1904 Judge Holt removed to Salem and at the expiration of his term of
office resumed the practice of law, with a well equipped and pleasant suite
of rooms in the Stonecipher building. He has one of the largest and best
selected libraries to be found in Southern Illinois. Not only does the Judge
keep posted on all the late judicial decisions and court rulings, but he is
a well read man on scientific, literary and current topics, so that his
conversation is at once animated and learned.
The Judge is a strong
and influential advocate of the principles embodied in the Democratic party
and is well fortified in his convictions, always ready to lend his influence
and time to the furtherance of his party's interests and assist in placing
the best men obtainable in the county offices. He has served as chairman of
the Democratic Central Committee of Marion county, during which time he
displayed rare acumen and sagacity in the management of the party's affairs.
Although Mr. Holt's extensive legal practice occupied the major part of
his time, he has considerable business interests which he manages with
uniform success. He is a stockholder in the Salem National Bank, and also in
the Farmers' and Merchants' Bank of St. Peter, Illinois.
Judge Holt's
happy and harmonious domestic life dates from 1897, when he was united in
marriage to Frances W. Fox, the accomplished and cultured daughter of Dr.
Jesse D. Fox, of Kindmundy, this county. Doctor Fox was one of the county's
most noted physicians and best known citizens, who died about 1881. The
following children have blessed the home of the subject with their cheer and
sunshine: Dorothy F., who was born in May, 1898; Ward P., born in October,
1900; Frances S., who was born in October, 1904; Charlotte, whose date of
birth occurred September 29, 1906. These children are all bright and
winsome, giving promise of successful future careers. The Holt home is a
model one, the residence being modern, commodious, well furnished and
invaded with the most wholesome atmosphere.
Our subject in his
fraternal relations is affiliated with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows
and the Knights of Pythias, having occupied the chairs in both. He is truly
a strong and prominent character, and owing to his individual personal
traits, which are highly commendable, his past record, which is unmarred by
a shadow, his pleasing address, kindly disposition, uprightness and public
spirit, the future augurs still greater honors for the subject, for he has
gained the undivided esteem and confidence of his fellow citizens throughout
Marion and adjoining counties, and such a worthy character is seldom left
alone by the public when services of a high order are constantly being
sought.
Extracted 08 Jul 2017 by Norma Hass from 1909 Biographical and Reminiscent History of Richland, Clay and Marion Counties, Illinois, pages 48-51.