My Genealogy Hound

JOHN MARSHALL HOLT, who resides on section 15, Vergennes Township, Jackson County, well deserves mention among the prominent farmers of this community. His life record is as follows: He was born in Land Grove, Vt., September 7, 1831, and is a son of Joseph and Hannah (Peabody) Holt, who were also natives of the Green Mountain State. The father was a farmer and carpenter. Emigrating westward, he located on Tuthill’s Prairie, Jackson County, Ill., in the fall of 1835, and some years later purchased a farm on section 16, Vergennes Township, now known as the old Holt homestead. He removed thither in 1840,and made it his home until 1874, when called to the home beyond. His wife passed away in 1868. They had fourteen children: Cynthia, wife of Valentine Keath, of Perry County; Maria, wife of B. Walker, of Perry County; Caroline, wife of L. Sweetland; Charlotte, wife of John Mecum, of Perry County; Putnam, who died in Vermont; Joseph, who married Sarah J. Mecum and lives in Perry County; La Fayette, who married Martha Hodge for his first wife, and afterward wedded Margaret Holt and died in 1891; Minerva, who became the wife of John Macglouchin, and after his death married John Roundtree, but is now deceased; Lucinda, deceased wife of Charles Warner, of St. Louis; Mary, who died in childhood; Lucy A., wife of John Coply, of Alton; De Witt, who married Margaret Pool; and Louisa, wife of Marshall Nichols. The parents were members of the Methodist Church, and in politics Mr. Holt was a Democrat until 1864, after which he supported the Republican party.

Our subject attended the subscription schools of his native state, and remained at home until his marriage, September 7, 1853, to Emily Tuthill. In 1855 he purchased his present farm of one hundred acres, and has made it his home since 1857. Mrs. Holt is a daughter of John and Nancy (Arnold) Tuthill. Her father was a native of Vermont, but after his marriage lived in New York for many years. The children of the family were: Sarah B., wife of John Helm; Eliza A., wife of James Brown; Nancy W., wife of James McClure; Caroline, wife of Frank Campbell; Samuel, who died at the age of ten; Laura, wife of George McClure; Mary, who died at the age of fifty-two; Daniel; Phoebe, wife of Andrew Young; Mrs. Holt; and Jane, wife of Constantine Murphy. The father was a farmer and also engaged in the manufacture of half-bushel measures. In 1856 he came with his family to Jackson County, accompanied by four brothers and two sisters: John, Daniel, Cephus, Russell; Hannah, wife of F. Lovejoy, and Sallie, wife of Thomas Ross. Judge Richard Tuthill, of Chicago, is a son of Daniel. The father of Mrs. Holt died March 20, 1859, at his home on Tuthill’s Prairie, and his wife passed away in 1851. He was a Democrat in politics and a soldier in the Black Hawk War. Both were members of the Methodist Church, and were highly respected people.

To Mr. and Mrs. Holt were born eight children. William A., born August 2, 1855, was married December 3, 1884, to Julia Moore, and has four children: Marshall, Ruby, Homer and Eula B.; Ella M., born February 6, 1857, is the wife of John Quigly, and has five children: Lillian, Ira, Logan, John and Gertrude; Ora L., born February 14, 1859, is the wife of William Cathey, of Montana, and their children are Earl, Eunice and Gerald; Lucretia J., born April 18, 1861, is the wife of Austin Spencer, by whom she has four children: Lee, Bertha, Blanche and Merwin; they also lost two children. Jennie was born September 28, 1863, and is at home; Phoebe Y., born January 29, 1866, died at the age of six years; Myrtle E., born February 26, 1868, is the wife of James Campbell, and has one child, Wilda; Emily E., born October 12, 1872, is the wife of Moses Quigley, and has a daughter, Myrtle.

Mr. and Mrs. Holt are members of the Methodist Church, and in politics he has always been a Republican. He and his wife now have a pleasant home on their farm, which is the abode of hospitality and good cheer. They have many friends throughout the community, and by all who know them are held in the highest regard.