Biography of Andrew Holt

Andrew Holt
Company D
1847-1904


Andrew Holt, Jr. was born December 20, 1847 in Adams County, Ohio to Andrew Holt, Sr. and Dorcas Fisher. His family originally came from Virginia and then settled in Adams County, Ohio. Andrew Jr.'s father died in Adams County in 1858, leaving his wife to raise the family. Andrew Jr. was only 11 years old at the time. The family lived in Jackson Township before moving to Washington Township.

Andrew Jr. was only 14 years old when he enlisted to serve for one year in the Civil War. He joined Company D of the 60th Ohio Volunteer Infantry. The roster indicates that he was appointed Corporal on December 12, 1861. Andrew Jr. fought in the Virginia battles of Strasburg, Cross Keys, and Harper's Ferry. Unfortunately, the Regiment was captured at Harper's Ferry and paroled. They mustered out November 10, 1862.

Andrew Jr., like many of the men in his Regiment, re-enlisted. He joined the 24th Independent Battery, Ohio Light Artillery and served until the end of the Civil War. One of their main functions was to perform guard duty of the Rebel prisoners at Johnson's Island, Sandusky Bar, Lake Erie, Ohio and also at Camp Douglas, Chicago, Illinois.

After being discharged, Andrew Jr. returned home and resume farming on his Mother's place. In October 1872, he married Hester, who was the daughter of Daniel and the granddaughter of Thomas Milburn, a Brushcreek pioneer. There was only one child born to this union who died soon after birth. However, they did adopt two daughters, Clara and Bertha Johnson.

Clara's and Bertha's parents were Allen D. Johnson and Rhoda Post. Allen Johnson died in Severance, Kansas in 1881 after also serving in the Union Army during the Civil War as a Private in the 4th Regiment, California Infantry. As told in family history, Rhoda traveled back to Ohio with the children after he died. After returning to Ohio, she died December 26, 1886 in Waverly, Pike County, Ohio at the home of her daughter, Minnie Bell Johnson Fenner. Bertha and her sister, Clara, were admitted to the Ohio Soldiers and Sailors Orphans Home in West Union, Ohio on March 25, 1889.

On January 13, 1894, the Highland County Probate Court granted Andrew Holt, Jr. letters of guardianship for both Clara and Bertha Johnson. Clara married in 1897, and Bertha lived with the Holts for a period of more than ten years, where she was treated like a daughter. Bertha later married Charles B. Mercer in Highland County, Ohio. It is interesting to note that Charles B. Mercer was the son of Abraham Mercer, who also served in the Civil War with the 60th Ohio.

Andrew Holt, Jr. and his brother, Richard, were sawmill operators and mechanics. Andrew remained in Washington Township where he operated a profitable sawmill business. He had a gristmill, operated a "threshing ring," and had "seed hullers for the convenience of his customers." Harley and Joseph R. Holt were manufacturers and dealers in logs and lumber in Hillsboro, Ohio for twenty-five years. They also operated the Independent Brook Co. that made all types of brooms.

When Andrew Jr. died in 1904, his wife Hester moved to a small farm in Paint Township. When Hester Holt died in 1936, Bertha Johnson Mercer and her husband, Charles, were listed as her sole heirs. Members of the Holt family were buried in the Prospect Cemetery.

Some facts from: Ayres, Elsie Johnson. Pioneers of Highland County. Springfield, Ohio: K. H. Skinner & Son, 1974.


A special thanks to Marianna Morgan and Avrille Justice for contributing this information. Bertha Johnson Mercer was Marianna's grandmother.




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