My Genealogy Hound

JOEL F. HOLT, one of the leading farmers and shorthorn breeders of Ballard County, Ky., was born June 7, 1835, in Calloway County, Ky. He is the third of five children, all boys, born to John and Nancy (Ramay) Holt, natives of Montgomery County, Tenn., and of Holland Dutch and Scotch descent, respectively. John Holt was a son of Peter and Elizabeth (Tibble) Holt, natives of Holland and England respectively. Subject’s mother was the daughter of Elijah Ramay, who was born in Scotland. Subject’s grandfather, Peter Holt, came to the United States about 1763, and settled in South Carolina; he was a soldier of the Revolution. Elijah Ramay came to the United States after the Revolution, and settled in North Carolina. John Holt was born January 6, 1803; he was a blacksmith and farmer, and moved to Calloway County in 1834, where he entered 160 acres of land, which he improved. In 1845, Joel F. moved with his parents to Johnson County, Ill., where his father entered and purchased 268 acres of land. In the spring of 1868, the family came to Ballard County, Ky., where the father died, September 23, 1878, and where the mother, who was born August 11, 1808, died July 10, 1877. Joel F. Holt lived with his parents till twenty-six years of age, engaged in trading and farming. In the spring of 1868, he located where he now resides, on 115 acres of land, which he improved. He now owns 300 acres in good condition, with substantial buildings. In 1874 he was elected justice of the peace; re-elected in 1878. He resigned before the expiration of his second term. Mr. Holt was married May 5, 1861, to Susan M. Hogg, of Johnson County, Ill., a native of Montgomery County, Ill., and daughter of John and Elizabeth (Wolf) Hogg, natives of Tennessee, of Scotch descent. This union was blessed by the birth of eight children: Ethie O., now Smith; Bertha G.; Cortney, John, Ralph, Maybell, Carl and Ora. Mr. Holt cast his first presidential vote for Stephen A. Douglas in 1860, and still votes the Democratic ticket. He and wife are members of the Presbyterian Church.