Portrait and Biographical Record of Muskegon and Ottawa Counties, Michigan Biographical Publishing Company, Chicago 1893 Part 1




Hon. Henry H. Holt      Conspicuous among the progressive and influential men of Michigan whom it is a privilege to know and a pleasure to honor, stands the name of this gentleman, who won an extended fame through his efficient and honorable service as Lieutenant-Governor of this State. His life of more than three-score years has been a busy and eventful one, filled with good works and public-spirited deeds, and now, as the shades of evening gather and he descends into the twilight of life's brief day, he can recall the past with pride and look forward to the future with hope. The events of his career, briefly narrated below, speak more eloquently than words of the energy, uprightness, keen discrimination and unwavering loyalty to the interests of his fellow-citizens which have characterized his every act.     A native of New York, the subject of this notice was born in Camden, Oneida County, March 27, 1831. His father, Henry Holt, was born in Chaplin, Conn., in 1803, and, removing to New York State about 1830, engaged in agricultural pursuits there until 1852, when, accompanied by his family, he came to Michigan and settled in Kent County. Upon a farm he purchased there he has ever since lived; and now in his old age he enjoys the fruits of his early labors, being the owner of one of the finest farms in the State.     The mother of our subject was Lorancy, daughter of Philip W. Potter, a farmer of Herkimer County, N. Y., whose paternal ancestor of the seventh generation, Robert Potter, came from England in 1628 and settled in Salem, Mass., whence ten years later he removed to Rhode Island, becoming one of the first settlers of that State. A grandson of Robert, Fisher Potter, married Mary, daughter of Mercy Williams (who was a daughter of the famous Roger Williams, founder of the Rhode Island Colony) by her second husband, Samuel Windsor. Our subject, therefore, is a lineal descendant of this branch of the Williams and Potter families on his mother's side. Mrs. Holt died April 22, 1835, when twenty-seven years old.     In his chidhood years Henry H. Holt attended the district school. In 1848 he continued his studies at Fairfield Academy, and subsequently spent one year at Christ's Church Hall, in Pomfret, Conn. During the year 1852 he accompanied his father to Michigan, and continued for three years the profession of a teacher, which he had commenced previously. In 1855 he entered upon his legal studies at a law school in Poughkeepsie, N. Y., where he remained for one year. Later he conducted his studies in the Union Law College, at Cleveland, Ohio, from which he was graduated with the degree of Bachelor of Laws, and was admitted to the practice at the Bar in July, 1857, Hon. David Tod, afterward Governor of the State, being at the time President of the institution.     Returning to Michigan, Mr. Holt was admitted to practice at Grand Rapids by Hon. George Martin, who at that time was Judge of the Circuit Court, and subsequently Chief Justice of the State Supreme Court. In May, 1858, Mr. Holt came to Muskegon, and in the fall of that year was elected Prosecuting Attorney of Ottawa County, which then included all the territory now embraced in Muskegon and Ottawa Counties. In 1859 Muskegon County was organized, and our subject was elected Prosecuting Attorney for the new county, and held that office four years. At the expiration of this term he was elected Circuit Court Commissioner, and was re-elected for a second term two years later.. In 1866 the Republicans of this district elected him to represent the the district in the Lower House of the State Legislature, to which office he was re-elected in 1868, when he became Chairman of the Ways and Means Committee. In 1870 he was again elected, and served in the same capacity on that committee. Much of his time was devoted to the interests of the charitable institutions of the State, and the present prosperity of a number of them is due to his ernest efforts in securing appropriations.     In 1872 Mr. Holt was elected Lieutenant-Governor of the State on the Republican ticket, headed by Gov. Bagley, and two years later was re-elected to that office. In 1878 his district again sent him to the State Legislature, when he was once more appointed Chairman of the Ways and Means Committee. In 1886, when again elected, he was made Chairman on the Committee on Railroads, and second on the Judiciary Committee. He was Chairman of the Ways and Means Committee during the building of the State Capital at Lansing. In 1867 he was elected a member of the Constitutional Convention held at Lansing. Mr. Holt has served five terms in the State Legislature as the representative of his district, and two terms as Lieutenant-Governor, being a longer term of service than that of any resident, past or present, of the State of Michigan- a record of which he may well be proud.     In April, 1878, Mr. Holt was elected Mayor of Muskegon, and was re-elected in 1879, he being the second Republican Mayor of this city. He has also served the people in various other public offices to which he has been elected from time to time. His experiences in this respect is a remarkable one, in the fact that, of the numerous times that he has been nominated for office (being about twenty-five times altogether), he has never known defeat- a proud record in a city and district as often Democratic as Republican; a record that speaks louder than words of the appreciation of his services, and one that shows the esteem in which he is held by the people of the community. He has ever since taking up his residence in Muskegon maintained a law office, and has continued in the active practice of his profession.     In 1873 and 1874, Mr. Holt made an extended tour of Europe, and in 1875 and 1876 he again visited the Old World, journeying through Egypt and the Holy Land, and making stops at Constantinople and the old cities of the East, from which he returned with a fine collection of pictures, other works of art, and rare curiousities. The foregoing history of Mr. Holt's public career should be a sufficient guarantee for his personal character, social and business standing. "Thus shall it be done unto the man whom the king delightith to honor," is as true to-day as it was thirty centuries ago. In all his business transactions his promise is unquestioned; once made, the fulfillment comes with the day.     During the winter of 1892 Mr. Holt was, with several other gentlemen, intrusted by leading business citizens with the delicate task of procuring an increased appropriation by Congress for the Muskegon Harbor, and an appropriation for other purposes, and it can be safely said, and without detracting from the others, that for the success of the mission much credit is due to Mr. Holt. His knowledge of legislation and governmental methods proved an important factor in the execution by himself and his associates of the important duties and interests with which they were clothed. A life-long Republican, imbued with the doctrines of his party, and unswerving in his fealty thereto, he is yet sufficiently generous to see the patriot in a political adversary. Thoroughly American, he illustrates in his life and character many of the better traits of the American citizen.     Mr. Holt has been twice married. His first wife was Mary Winter, of Lansing, Mich., who died in May, 1872. He was again married, on the 5th of February, 1878, this wife being Mrs. Catharine Hackley.   Capt. Henry J. Woods      Capt. Henry J. Woods, the energetic and efficient keeper of the life-saving station of Muskegon, Mich., who is possessed of ability and courage, with a thoroughly practical training in the necessary duties of his responsible position, is eminently adapted to the faithful discharge of the obligations intrusted to his care. A native of the State of New York, and born in Cattaraugus County May 29, 1850, - our subject was the son of Henry J. and Hannah J. (Starkweather) Woods. The parents were both of New England birth and were reared in the Green Mountain State. The father and mother, descendants of long lines of reputable ancestry, were early trained to habits of thrifty industry and self-reliantly attained to mature age. During their early years they enjoyed the advantages of instruction in the schools of their home neighborhood, but both soon began the earnest work of life. Marrying, they made their permanent home in New York, where the father, a farmer by occupation, was highly respected and numbered among the substantial men of his locality in the Empire State. Capt. Woods spent the days of boyhood upon the old homestead, assisting his father in the daily round of agricultural work and attending the nearest district school.     Continuing upon the old homestead and engaging in farming for sixteen years, our subject began the battle of life for himself soon after attaining his majority. He was for some time variously employed, but, a man of observation and excellent judgement, lost no opportunity to gain knowledge and thus advance himself in the world. Journeying after a time to the farther West, Capt. Woods came to Michigan, and in August, 1880, becoming one of the crew at the life-saving station of St. Joseph, held his position for two years, and during this period of time passed through a variety of thrilling and profitable experiences, serving an apprenticeship in the saving of human lives, many more of which, but for the established stations, would be annually sacrificed upon the dangerous lake coasts. Entering upon the duties of his present position in the year 1882, Capt. Woods has, with satisfaction to the Government, had full charge of the Muskegon station. He has with him a tried crew of men, veterans in the service, seven in number, and under his skillful command much heroic work has been accomplished. Our subject is a man to be relied upon in the hour of emergency, and no storm is too terrible, no danger too great, for him to face with calm courage and the confidence which inspires his men to renewed effort.     In the year 1881 were united in marriage Henry J. Woods and Miss Hulda A. Wells, of Grand Rapids, Mich. The estimable wife of our subject is a native of Ohio and was born in Marietta. Two daughters, bright and attractive, bless the home, Hattie H. and Gracie B., who will will enjoy every opportunity for an advanced education. Our subject is fraternally associated with the Ancient Free & Accepted Masons, and is a valued member of the lodge at St. Joseph; he is likewise a member of the Muskegon Chapter, R. A. M. He is also associated with the Knights of Pythias, and has a host of friends among the time-honored orders. Capt. Woods has, in giving close attention to the manner and methods of the service, perfected some invaluable inventions of his own and given most important suggestions for future considerations. He has arranged a system of carriage locks and buoys, which facilitate and aid in transportation, and he displays mechanical genius of a high order. A brave officer and the right man for his post of danger, Capt. Henry Woods possesses the regard of a wide acquaintance and the full confidence of the general public.


 

                    Copyright © 1999 by Patti Norton .All rights reserved.