Holtj  
 
 

Transcribed from "History of North Washington, an illustrated history of Stevens, Ferry, Okanogan and Chelan counties", published by Western Historical Publishing Co., 1904.


     JAMES M. HOLT has accomplished a work in Okanogan county which speaks for itself.  He is residing in the town of Pateros where he owns about eighty-five acres of land, forty-five of which are under a fine ditch, his own private property.  Over twenty acres of this irrigated land is set out to fruit, mostly peaches, and at the present time is bearing well.  Mr. Holt's place is one of the finest fruit ranches in the Columbia valley and is especially adapted to this industry.  The farm is laid out in a very skillful manner and everything about indicates the ability and good taste of the owner.  It is a very valuable piece of property.
     James M. Holt was born in Jones county, Iowa, on March 2, 1863, the son of William and Isabelle (Nickels) Holt, natives of Indiana and Maine, respectively, and now deceased.  In the public schools of his native state James M. was well educated, and when he had reached the age of twenty, departed from his home to try his fortune for himself in the world at large.  He located at Deadwood, South Dakota, where eleven years were spent in farming.  After this he was an incorporator of the Covina Water Company and spent three years in this enterprise.  It was in 1900 that Mr. Holt located in Okanogan county, four and one-half miles northwest of Pateros.  Soon after he sold his place and secured the farm where he now resides.
     Fraternally Mr. Holt is a member of the W. 0. W. and is a popular and substantial citizen.  On April 25, 1887, at Deadwood, Mr. Holt married Miss Mary A., daughter of William and Margaret (Donaldson) Burns, natives of Ireland and England, respectively.
     To Mr. and Mrs. Holt eight children have been born, named as follows: William M., May B., Edward V., Harry A., Hester A., Margaret, John and Leonard.