Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1905-11-10
BRATTLEB0R0 LOCAL NEWS
MAJOR WILLIAM H. H. HoLroN.

Native Of Jamaica and a Civil War
Veteran, Who Was In Customs Service
rs Years.
Major William II. H Holton 60, for
more than 25 years a customs officer at
the port of New York, died at his home
In New York Sunday of brights disease.
He was brother-in-law of Mrs. E. L.
Waterman of Brattleboro and visited
frequently at the home Of Judge and Mrs.
waterman. Major and Mrs. Holton were
here and in jamaica from July until Sept
20 of this year. UP to the time his
Illness began two years ago Major Holton
was strong, healthy and impressive
looking man, but on his last visit his
friends noted his loss of health and
strength.
Maj Holton was born in Jamaica and
was a son of DR.. Joel Holton. He at
tended Leland & Gray seminary in Town
shend and afterwards taught school sew
eral years. He enlisted in Company H.
Sth Regiment, Vermont Volunteers, a
three-years' regiment and was commits
stoned second lieutenant Jan. II, 1862
Afterwards he was promoted to first lieu
tenant and was brevetted major for gal
liant and mertorious conduct
In June, 1862, company II was engaged
in guarding the Opelousas railroad in
Louisiana and was stationed at Bayou
Des Allemands On June % a detach-
ment of 30 men was sent up the road to
Raceland Station, where it was reported
that the track was being torn up. The
detachment proceeded cautiously, being
pushed in a passenger car by an engine
in the rear and having skirmishers in
front. Owing to an almost impossible
swamp all the skirmishers were forced
to take to the road-bed. and while in this
no
volley was fired on them at a distance of
only few PAGES. Three men were killed
and nine were wounded. Among the lat
ter were Lieuts. W. II. II. Holton and A.
B. Franklin Lieut. Holton received
seven bullets in his body, three Of which
never were extracted, two being in his
lungs and one in his wrist. The engineer
reversed his engine, and those of the de-
tachment who were able went to the
engine and foiled an attempt of the enemy
| to tear up the track in the rear to cut
Off escape. The detachment left three
dead on the field, while the enemy had
| six killed and many wounded. This was
| the first blood shed in the regiment Mai
Holton resigned Jan. 10, 1868, and was
| detailed in the veteran reserve, corps
| holding various commands. He took an
| active part in the measures for the re-
| construction of the South until 1866, when
| he retired from the service.
After his return from the war he en-
gagged in the manufacture of boots and
shoes in Jamaica, the firm name being
| Parsons, Livermore & Holton. The fac
| tory building was moved to Brattleborc
| and Is now the laundry building on Flat
| street On retiring from this bust
ness he went to New York city in the
| fall of 1878 and became inspector in the
| United States customs service. He was
deputy surveyor at the time of his death
He represented Jamaica in the legislature
in 1873.
Mas. Holton married Harriet NJ Bemis
Of Windham in October, 1865. She sur.
wives with four children, Charles w. Hol-
ton, of the firm of E. D. washburne &
| Co., jewelers., of New York. Mrs. Grace
| L. Washburne, wife OF E. D. Washburne
Ellen, wife OF Howard Rogers of Troy
and Herbert M. Holton, a teacher in New
| York
Maj. Holton was a member Of Alexander
Hamilton post, G. A. r., and a deacon IL
the Lexington avenue Baptist church. TIL,
funeral was held in the Lexington avenu,
church Tuesday afternoon. The body
and was taken to Jamaica, where tn,
burial took place yesterday
During Maj Holton's residence IL
Jamaica he was an active, Influential
citizen, held in respect by all, and haC
many acquaintance and warm friends IL
all the towns of the West river valley
He was man of broad mind and generous
impulses and one who not only enjoyed
but deserved the good opinion of all Wit
knew him.