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.
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