My Genealogy Hound

James A. Holt’s birth occurred in Tennessee in 1852, and he is a son of Israel and Mary J. (Davis) Holt, who were also Tennesseans. The father was a farmer, and served in the Confederate Army during the late war. He died in Wayne County in 1866. James A. Holt’s early days were spent on his father’s farm, and after the latter’s death he made his home with his widowed mother until his marriage, in 1876, when he began life for himself as a farmer. In 1875 he began merchandising on Beech Creek, and has been quite successful. His store is superior to those generally kept in the country, and is liberally patronized by the surrounding neighborhood. The farm on which he lives was inherited by his wife from her father’s estate, and consists of about 250 acres. In 1882 he was elected justice of the peace, and has faithfully discharged the duties of this office up to the present time. In 1882 he erected a cotton-gin on his farm, and has kept it in good working order. He is a Democrat, and his first presidential vote was cast for S. J. Tilden. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church South, and was married, in 1876, to Louisa J. Tumbo, daughter of Hugh and Mary Tumbo. Mrs. Holt was born in Tennessee in 1860, and is the mother of three children: Hugh I., Dora Lee, and an infant deceased, not named.