The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1896-04-23
THE LATE THOS. M. HOLT.
A Short Sketch of the Good rIan
and Useful Citizen Who Has Recent.
1y Passed Away.

The following biographical sketch
is condensed from the encyclopedia of
Eminent and Representative Men of
the Carolinas:"
Thomas NJ. Holt was a son of Edwin
NJ. Holt and Fannie Banks Parrish
Holt the latter surviving. He was born
July 18th, 1881, in that part of old
Orange county, which has since been set
of into Alamance county. He was pre-
pared for college at Caldwell Institute,
HillsbOrO, and when eighteen years of
age, entered the University of North
Carolina. When twenty years of age his
father took him for an assistant, and
soon began to lean on his judgment and
cOnfide in his skill and management
When only twenty-One years Of age he
was honOred by an appointment by the
Legislature as a magistrate, and served
as chairman OF the board of finance of
Alamance county. In 1872 he was
elected chairman of the board of county
commissioners and served for four years.
His kindly disposition, his unswerving
integrity, his courteous demeanor and
neighbOrly interest in the people of his
county, nearly every one OF whom he
has long known personally, made him
very popular, and he was never brought
forward for office without receiving not
only the strength of his party, but many
votes from others. In 1875 he was
elected State Senator, receiving $50
more votes than any candidate for that
office had ever obtained. In the Senate
his services were highly useful to the
State. He had been a director in the
North Carolina Railroad, in which the
State had an interest OF $4,000, 900,
since 1869, and was elected president OF
the company in 1875. He was also
largely interested in agriculture and was
president of the North Carolina Agricul-
tural Society for twelve years. His va
ried experience and ripe judgment and
sterling character made him one of the
most influential Senator's. He labored
successfully for the establishment of the
agricultural department., and was, by
virtue of his position as president of the
agricultural society, made a member OF
the board controlling it.
In 1883 he was returned to the House
of Representatives,; and again in 1885,
when the House, in recognition of his
eminent fitness and patriotic services,
chose him as Speaker. He was a men,
Der of the House again in 1887, and at
the succeeding election was called by the
people to the Office of Lieutenant-GOv
ernor, and Us such, he presided over the
deliberations of the Senate. AS a men,
Der on the floor of the Assembly, he had
been able, efficient and practical; and as
a presiding officer he was fair and impair
tial, courteous towards all and a wise
administrator of the rules. During the
period of his legislative service he won
the confidence of the whole state, and
when on the 9Th day of April, 1891 he
was called to the executive chair on the
sudden death of Gov. Fowle, the people
were entirely satisfied that the affairs OF
State were in good hands, and that the
duties of that high office would be dis
charged with ability, intelligence and a
lofty patriotism. For sixteen years he
had administered the affairs of the
North Carolina Railroad, as it's presi
dent, with zeal and good judgment, and
he laid down that Office on becoming
Governor, with the consciousness that
all of his acts had met public approval.
But notwithstanding oil OF the varied
duties that have claimed his attention,
his chief interest ever cen tered in his cot
ton factories at Haw River.