Holt, Ben Baker

Ben Holt, 77, Weimar Banker 52 Years, Buried

Funeral services were held here Sunday afternoon for Ben Baker Holt, 77, lifelong resident of Weimar and the last charter member of the group that organized First State Bank here 52 years ago.

Services were held at First Baptist Church, with the Rev. Charles Young, newly called as the church’s pastor, officiating. Assisting at the church was the Rev. Howard MacAllister, Methodist pastor, and at the graveside in the Masonic [Odd Fellows] Cemetery, the Rev. Norman Roberts of Columbus.

Mr. Holt was still active in the bank, which he had served as board chairman since 1947, and had been in Youens Hospital only two days when he died at 6:30 p. m. Friday, April 8. His death came only 12 days after that of his brother, District Judge Lester Holt.

Former Mayor

His life included many years of church and civic work. Baptized in First Baptist Church here in about 1917, he was senior deacon and had served as Sunday School superintendent more than 35 years. He served Weimar as mayor for three consecutive terms and prior to that had been an alderman 10 years. He also had been a member of the school board 12 years, seven years as president, and was active in the Rotary Club and the Masonic Lodge.

Born here Dec. 18, 1883, he was a son of Prof. J. W. and Mrs. Emma Yancey Holt. He married Miss Aurelia Holloway here in 1903. Although he was one of the organizers of the bank in 1908, he was in the grocery business for 13 years and started working in the bank in 1920.

Surviving in addition to his wife are one daughter, Mrs. Ralph (Virginia) Hutchins of Raymondville; one son, Beverly B. Holt of La Marque; four grandchildren, Bill Hutchins and Jack, Suzanne and Jimmy Holt; a brother, Will Holt of Flatonia; and a sister, Mrs. Betty Hurr of Weimar.

Pallbearers for his services were John Heger, H. Ed Rabel, A. H. Plagens, Walter Williams, Charlie Allen, Charlie Herder, Lyle Searcey and Henry Brasher.

Named as honorary pallbearers were all his other friends.

Weimar Mercury, April 15, 1960, page 1 and 10

Holt, Beverley Baker

BEVERLEY BAKER HOLT, age 87, departed this world of care to be with his Savior and Lord Jesus in Heaven on October 5, 2007. Waiting there to welcome him home were his mother, father and sister Virginia, and many friends he made during his long and full life. He was a kind and gentle man who trusted in Christ Jesus for his eternal destiny. His loved ones and the friends he left behind will miss him, especially his great sense of humor, inherited from his father and passed along to his children. His often-told tales of his childhood, his college days at Aggieland, his military service and his days as a refinery engineer grew grander and more humorous with each new rendition. "B.B." was born in Weimar, Texas to Ben and Aurelia Holt on March 18, 1920. He graduated from Texas A&M with a degree in Mechanical Engineering, Class of '40, where he was Executive Officer of C Battery, Field Artillery. He served as an officer in the Pacific Theater on the island of Tinian. He retired from the Army Reserves with the rank of Lt. Colonel. In 1942 he met and married the love of his life, Joan Barrington. He lived his life as a testimony to his Christian faith, serving many years as a Baptist deacon, church trustee, choir member, and in many other activities ministering to the needs of others. In his spare time he also worked 44 years for Amoco in Texas City, Tulsa, Chicago and Houston. He is survived by his wife Joan, children Jack and wife Lenora Holt of Spring, Suzy and husband George Steed of Huntsville, and Jim and wife Susan Holt of Washington, D.C.; grandchildren Matthew Holt, Adam Steed, Elizabeth and husband John Harrison, Emily Elkins, Charlie Holt and Jimmy Holt; great grandchildren Jeremiah Harrison, Travis Harrison, and Madison Elkins. Funeral services will be held Wednesday, October 10, 2007, 10:00 A.M. at Champion Forest Baptist Church, Chapel, 15555 Stuebner Airline Road, Houston, Texas. Officiating will be Rev. Bill Upchurch and Rev. Bill Elliott. Graveside services will be held at 3:30 P.M. at Masonic [Odd Fellows] Cemetery, Weimar, Texas. www.brooksidechampions.com

Houston Chronicle, October 7, 2007

Holt, Eddie Buck

One of Eddie Buck Holt's good friends observed of his death this week that "an era has ended in Weimar," and for the four generations of Weimarites who knew him well that wouldn't seem too grandiose a statement.

Buck died at 2:30 p.m. Sunday, July 7, at Colonial Rest Home in Schulenburg, where he had lived since last December. He was 82.

Funeral services were held at Mt. Arie Baptist Church here Tuesday, with burial in Paradise Gardens cemetery and Rev. I. T. Hewitt officiating.

Buck had been a member of that church since 1918 and was a charter member of the Usher Board, a fact he cherished. Fellow members Louis Henry, George Braziel, Oliver Williams, R. L. Williams, George Ellis, August Adams, Lesory Woodson and Walter Johnson Jr. served as his pallbearers.

He was born in the New Bielau section January 25, 1892, to Peter and Rachel Holt, and Buck was his real middle name. He moved into Weimar as a 9-year-old boy and his first steady job was in Charles Herndon's livery stable. Later he had another livery stable job with August Rabel, and still later he worked in Sam Chapman's cold drink stand.

With the coming of the automobile, he got a job in Charley Potthast's garage and car agency in 1917, and it was a delight to watch him change a tire without so much as bending over. For Buck was a dwarf who quit growing at the age of 12, at a height of 54 inches.

He said once that he was about 18 before he finally faced up to the fact that he was as tall as he was going to get. It presented problems, but as time went along he realized that his odd size led strangers to speak to him and strangers became friends.

He liked that, and especially the fact that children were drawn to him. They saw him as a smiling, friendly, big doll, and eventually they began measuring their own growth by him. For years he corresponded with those who moved away and traded Christmas cards even with those still living here, until the mailing list got so large he couldn't afford the postage.

From Charley Potthast's Buck went to the W. H. Hollien garage, and with the advent of silent movies he put in some night work at Hollien's "Happy Hour" movie house. His job was to pedal the player piano throughout the film.

Fifty-two years ago he went to work for Henry Brasher Jr. at Brasher Motor Co., and it was less than a year ago that failing health finally prevented his showing up at " the shop." With that big smile he used to recall that there was just one short break in his relationship with "the boss." Once in 1924 he decided he wanted to change his career to that of shoe shining in a local barber shop. Four days later he was waiting at the garage when the boss came to work. "When he opened up," said Buck, "I just said hello, picked up a broom and started sweeping, and I been here ever since."

Buck was a bachelor, and his only surviving relative is a niece here, Ms. Pinky Woodson, but he leaves more good friends than most men could ever hope for.

Weimar Mercury, July 11, 1974

Holt, Emily (Hubbard)

Died, at her residence in Alleyton, on the 30th ult., Mrs. J. J. Holt, of black jaundice, aged about 57 years. Deceased was a pious, intelligent lady, member of the baptist Church, and a leader in the Sunday School. She leaves many relatives and friend to mourn her loss. [Place of interment unknown]

Colorado Citizen, September 5, 1878

Holt, Emma H. (Yancey) Toliver

Death of Mrs. J. W. Holt
One of Weimar’s Most-Beloved Ladies Passes Unto Her Eternal Reward.

After a lingering Illness, extending over several years, the poor, tired spirit of Mrs. Emma Holt, wife of Prof. J. W. Holt, and one of our city's most beloved and popular ladles, succumbed to the inevitable Friday morning at 1:30, a surrounded by members of the family and near relatives. The funeral took place Friday afternoon at 4 o'clock at the Odd Fellows' Cemetery, Rev. G. T. Gibbons, Methodist pastor of Flatonia, officiating at the grave. A large crowd was present to witness the last sad rites attesting the popularity and high esteem In which thIs beloved lady was held by the people of this community. The grave was literally buried from sight by the huge bank of floral emblems placed upon it.

Mrs. Emma Holt was a daughter of the late Wm. Yancey and wife, oldtime residents of Columbus and was born in Colorado county, Nov. 28, 185r, being nearly 67 years of age at the time of her death. She was married to Prof. J. W, Holt, a most highly respected citizen of our county, in, the year 1880, and It proved one of the happiest of unions Decedent leaves a heartbroken husband, two daughters, Mrs. Henry Hurr of Flatonia and Mrs. Jessie Townsend of thIs city, and three sons, Lester Holt of Halletsville, Ben B. Holt of this city and Will H. Holt of Waelder, besides a large circle of' mourning relatives and friends.

No more popular or better lady ever lived in Weimar. Of a naturally jovial disposition, kind-hearted to the extreme, hospitable to a fault, .of sympathetic temperament, she was beloved by everyone who knew her. In the home she was a faultless wife and companion, and one of the most devoted of mothers. As a friend and neighbor, she was unexcelled, and In our community where she had lived so long, she will be sadly missed by all.

The pall bearers at the funeral were Messrs. Jno. C. Hubbard, S. C. Holloway, J. F. Walker, W. P. Ammann, Geo. E. Carey and Ed Rabel.

Our heartfelt sympathy goes out to the bereaved family in the heavy, irreparable loss they have sustained.

Weimar Mercury, June 3, 1921, page 1

Holt, J. J.

ALLEYTON LETTER

Mr. J. J. Holt, one of he old pioneers of Alleyton, died on Sunday at 1:30 p.m. and was buried Monday at 11 o’clock, in the Alleyton cemetery. He was 64 years old, and has lived in Alleyton 23, years.

Colorado Citizen, September 29, 1881, page 3

Holt, James William

Holt, J. W.
Death of Pioneer Citizen of Colorado County

Prof. J. W. Holt, Prominent Educator of Our County Succumbs After Long Illness

While not unexpected, still when the wires flashed the news of Prof. James W. Holt’s death to this city at an early hour Monday morning, many hearts throughout this city and section were inexpressibly saddened, for few men have been held in such tender esteem by the citizens of our county as was Professor Holt, for many, many, years a resident of Weimar.

His death occurred at 4 o’clock Monday morning at the residence of his daughter, Mrs. Henry Hurr of Flatonia, where he had made his home since the death of his beloved wife in May last. The remains were tenderly prepared for burial and that afternoon at 4 o’clock committed to mother earth in the Odd Fellows’ Cemetery, in the presence of a large assemblage of sorrowing relatives and friends from all over the county, Rev. J. C. Wilson, local Methodist pastor, performing the funeral obsequies.

The floral offerings at the grave were many and beautiful, Colorado Chapter of the Daughters of the Confederacy, of Columbus, sending an especially beautiful floral tribute in honor of the dead Confederate soldier.

An especially noticeable fact was that the active pall bearers were all former students of decedent, they being Leo, Ellis and Gus Miller, John C. Hoyo, Clieve Obenhaus and Henry Scheller, all grown men now and occupying prominent places in the business world. Many of Mr. Holt’s former pupils were present at the funeral and although all are now grown, settled men, they were not ashamed of the tears which welled into their eyes over the death of their beloved teacher.

Prof. James W. Holt was born Sept. 18, 1840 in Baker county, Ga. He came to Texas in 1849 with his mother and stepfather, the late John Tooke. For one year the family lived on a farm one mile east of Columbus, then moved to a place two miles from Oakland and known today at the old “John Tooke place.” When a boy of 17 he was sent to military school at Bastrop, where he remained for two years. This school was under the control and direction of Colonel R. T. P. Allen. T. A. Hill of this city was also a student of this school at the same time. At the conclusion of the Civil War, Mr. Holt attended the New Orleans Commercial College, receiving a diploma from that school. At the age of 20 he went back to Georgia on a visit to his sister, Mrs. Susie Pearce. It was at that time the Civil War broke out, and he enlisted as a volunteer from Georgia. He soon became first lieutenant of Company B, 22nd Battalion, Georgia Artillery. The most of his active service during the war was seen in the battles which took place in Virginia; he being a participant in the famous Seven Days’ Battle and the Battle of the Wilderness. He was one of those who surrendered at Appomattox and was one of the Confederate soldiers that had the distinction of shaking hands with General Lee after the surrender, when farewells were spoken. After the war he returned to Texas where he taught school the remainder of his active days.

Mr. Holt was married to Rebecca Purcell Jan. 21, 1874. Two children survive this union – Mrs. Bettie Hurr of Flatonia and Lester Hold, esq.,. of Halletsville. His second marriage was to Mrs. Emma (Yancey) Toliver of Columbus, Nov. 24,1880. Two children were the fruits of this union – Ben B. Holt of this city, and Will H. Holt of Waelder. A stepdaughter, Mrs. Jessie Townsend of this city, is included among the surviving children. He also leaves six sisters –Mesdames Martha Tooke of Lockhart, Mrs. Fannie Ferrell of this city, Mrs. Kate Herndon of Houston, Mrs. J. C. Kindred of Columbus, Mrs. Nannie Rhodes and Miss Callie Tooke of Bryan.

Mr. Holt was a member of the Methodist Church having joined same at the age of 14 years.

Few men have ever attained the popularity of Mr. Holt. In the days of health and strength, it mattered not where he was, he was always welcomed. He taught school at many places throughout Colorado county, was known to practically all our citizens and no man was ever more welcome in the family circles than Mr. Holt, people feeling honored and delighted to have him as a guest. As an educator he had few equals, his system being so thorough that no student ever forgot what he learned under his instruction. There are today many prominent business men in various parts of Texas who received the best part of their education under Mr. Holt – bankers, lawyers, merchants and other lines and almost without variableness all are of the highs business acumen.

As a citizen Mr. Holt possessed the highest popularity. He was a man of friendly disposition, with a pleasant greeting for every one he met, and it was really and truly a treat to be in his presence, for his genial disposition often acted as an inspiration to those who felt “down and out.” As a husband, father, citizen, friend and neighbor, he was all that could be desired and in his death there are countless saddened hearts wherever he was known. God bless and comfort the bereaved ones is our sincere prayer. [For additional information see James William Holt]

Weimar Mercury, February 10, 1922
Transcribed by Judy Talkington

Holt, James Yancy

OAKLAND NOTES

Died, at the residence of his parents in Oakland, at 3 P.M. on Monday, James Yancy, infant son of James W. and Emma Holt, aged eleven months and twenty-six days. Jimmy was an unusually bright and beautiful babe, was he idol of his fond parents, and his death is a heart-rending blow to them. The entire community sympathizes with them in their sad bereavement. The Poet hath said, and truly, “To die young is Heaven’s choicest blessing;” for those who die in infancy, never know the temptations, the trials and anguish caused by the wickedness of this sinful world; but like sweet little Jimmy; they are waiting to welcome us home to Heaven, and serve as one more tie to draw us nearer to our God. Parents, your child is not dead, but sleepeth.
“A precious flower to you was given,
Budded on earth, to blossom in Heaven.”

The remains were carried to Columbus for interment, there to await the resurrection morn. [Interment in Odd Fellows Rest]

Colorado Citizen, August 31, 1882, page 2

Holt, Lillie Annie (Boeker)

Lillie Holt Funeral Held Here Sept. 17

Funeral services for Mrs. Lillie Annie Holt, 74, a resident of Carrollton Manor Nursing Home in Carrollton, were held Thursday, Sept. 17, from Hubbard Chapel here, with Rev. Jerry Adkins officiating. Burial was in Masonic Cemetery.

Mrs. Holt, a waitress until retiring, died Sept. 14 at Richardson Memorial Hospital.

Born Dec. 17, 1912, in the Weimar area, she was a daughter of Otto and Josephine (Heller) Boeker. She lived in Weimar for 13 years and also had lived at Houston and Fort Worth.

Mrs. Holt's husband died Nov. 9, 1971, Surviving her are a daughter, Anna Holt of Carrollton; two grandchildren, Larry Holt of Randolph, N.J., and Linda Harrison of San Antonio; four great-grandchildren; a sister, Selma Taylor of Weimar and a brother, Arthur (Jack) Boeker of Weimar.

Weimar Mercury, September 24, 1987
Transcribed by Dennis Boatright

Holt, Lester

2nd Stroke Fatal To Judge Holt, 83

Death came at 3:17 a.m. Sunday, March 27, to Judge Lester Holt, 83, who had served the 25th Judicial District the past 38 years and was planning to retire after his present term.

The former Weimar city attorney and Colorado County attorney, who was widely known and highly respected in court circles, died in Nix Hospital at San Antonio, where he had been taken after suffering a stroke March 19 at his Hallettsville home. An operation the following day led to hopes for his recovery, but on March 23 he had a second stroke. Another operation was performed, to no avail.

Licensed in 1900

He had been in pubic service most of the 60 years since he received his law license back in 1900, after studying only six months,and rose to become one of the most respected men in his field. A Houston Chronicle editorial this week pointed out that in his time on the district bench he had “established a record for impartiality and judicial integrity.”

Funeral services were held Monday afternoon at St. James Episcopal Church in Hallettsville, with the Rev. Gerald MacAllister officiating. Burial was in the Masonic [Odd Fellows] Cemetery here.

Pallbearers were Judge W. W. Ellison of Gonzales, Dist. Atty. Paul C. Boethel of Hallettsville, Morris Hodges and C. T. Griffin of Columbus, Sam S. Devall and Hans Lunsmann of Hallettsville.

Born at Oakland, a few miles south of here, on Dec. 22, 1876, to Prof. and Mrs. J. W. Holt, and after passing his bar examination in 1900 served as Weimar’s city attorney before becoming county attorney in 1902. He held this office until 1912, when he became district attorney. In 1918 he resumed private practice of law, but four years later he re-entered public office, running on an anti-Ku Klux Klan platform to defeat Charles K. Quinn for the 25th District bench embracing Colorado, Lavaca, Gonzales and Guadalupe Counties. He had held this office continuously since that time, and a few months ago had announced he would retire when his present term ended this spring.

Judge Holt’s first wife, the former Miss Martha Boettcher, died in 1943.

Survivors are his wife, Mrs. Violet Holt, whom he married in 1956; two daughters, Mrs. Charles Ullrich of Wichita Falls and Mrs. Harold Crump of Houston; two brothers, Ben B. Holt of Weimar and Will Holt of Flatonia; one sister, Mrs. Bettie Hurr of Weimar; four grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

Weimar Mercury, April 1, 1960, page 1

Holt, Marilyn (Case)

Marilyn Holt, 71, of Columbus, passed away May 11 at DeTar Hospital in Victoria.

She was born in Des Moines, Iowa, July 22, 1930 to Raymond and Lela (Stites) Case. She worked as the assistant auditor for Colorado County and was a member of St. Paul Lutheran Church.

She was preceded in death by her parents; and sister, Donna Dolezal.

She is survived by sons and daughters-in-law, Richard Holt of Victoria; John Holt and Karen Murphy of Farmington, N.M., and Bill and Erika Holt of Wharton; sisters, Patti Dipprey of Marble Falls; brother, Jack Case of Cypress; and grandchildren, Noel Spann, Hannah Holt, Clayton Passman and Sarah Holt.

Funeral services were conducted May 14 at Henneke Funeral Home in Columbus with the Rev. John Hunsicker officiating. Interment followed at Odd Fellows Rest Cemetery in Columbus.

Pallbearers were Jim Dipprey, Christopher Case, Larry Mitchell, Duane Wavra, Noel Spann and DeWayne Kotrla.

Colorado County Citizen, May 15, 2002
Courtesy of the Citizen

Holt, Martha (Boettcher)

Mrs. Lester Holt Dies, Burial In Weimar Cemetery

Mrs. Martha Holt, wife of District Judge Lester Holt, died suddenly at her home in Hallettsville, Tuesday. Funeral services were held there at 5 o'clock Wednesday afternoon and burial took place in the Weimar Cemetery.

Mrs. Holt was born in Weimar and was a graduate of the Weimar High School. She was united in marriage to Judge Lester Holt in 1901, and they lived in Columbus for 16 years, moving to Hallettsville in 1918. She was a member of the Episcopal Church.

Survivors include her husband; two daughters, Mrs. Harold Crump and Mrs. Elwyn Ulrich, both of Houston; three grandchildren and one great-grandchild. Several brothers and sisters also survive.

Weimar Mercury, September 17, 1943

Holt, Pearl

See Pearl Woodson

Holt, Rachel

Rachel Holt, “Buck’s” Mother, Dies at 86

Rachel Holt, colored, 86 year-old mother of Eddie “Buck” Holt of Weimar, died at the home of her daughter, Pearl Woodson, on the August Beken place at New Bielau Monday night.

She was a life-long resident of this area, having been born during the Civil War, the daughter of a slave couple. For hte[sic] past 23 years she was blind, and for some time bedridden.

In addtion to her son and daughter, she leaves another daughter, Lorenia Howard. Funeral arrangements are still pending, but services will probably be held Sunday. {Interment was in Paradise Gardens Cemetery]

Weimar Mercury, January 30, 1948 

Holt, William A.

Died, at Alleyton, March 16, 1881, at 9 o’clock, A. M. of measles, William A. Holt, son of J. N. and Annie Holt, aged 1 year and 16 days.

“God’s pieces, like lilies pure and white, unfold,
We must not tear the close shut leaves apart,
Time will reveal the calyxes of God;
And if through patient toil we reach the land
Where tired feet with sandals loosed may rest;
Where we shall clearly know and undertstand,
I think that we shall say, “God knows the best.”
[Place of interment unknown]

Colorado Citizen, March 24, 1881, page 3

Holt, William Henry

W. H. Holt, 76, Flatonia Railroad Agent, Buried

Funeral services for William Henry Holt, 76, were held Saturday afternoon July 6, at Smith Funeral Home chapel in Flatonia. Burial was in the Forest Park West Mausoleum in Houston, where a 2 p.m. service was held Monday.

Mr. Holt, depot agent for Southern Pacific Lines at Flatonia, died Friday, July 5.

He was a brother of the late Ben Holt of Weimar and Judge Lester Holt of Hallettsville, both of whom died in 1960. A native of this area, he was a son of Prof. and Mrs. J. W. Holt.

Weimar Mercury, July 11, 1963, page 1