WILLIAM HOLT was born on a plantation about seventeen miles north of Jacksonville, North Carolina, February 1, 1836. He lived there as a slave of Allen Jones until twenty-six years of age, when he was sold to a speculator, Stephen Page, who took him to Greensboro, North Carolina, where he was sold to Dr. B. F. Arington. One year after he went with the Doctor to Raleigh, North Carolina, where he remained until Sherman was expected, when he was sold to Henry Hazel; remained with him one week, when he was freed. He was then employed at Sherman's headquarters as cook for Major Dayton until July 19, 1865, when he came to St. Louis, Missouri, and hired to a man named Douglas, and wen with him to Arkansas; was at Pine Bluff and Little Rock three months, then came to Cairo, Illinois, and was employed as janitor in the Judge Bross' building nearly three years, then worked in the old Richmond Hotel in Chicago, five months, and St. James one month, then came to Springfield, Illinois, since worked in the Leland Hotel six or seven months, then worked for Jake Strawn on a farm twelve miles east of Jacksonville, Illinois, and in Jacksonville some seven or eight months; then came back to Springfield and worked in the Leland Hotel until four years ago. Since that time has done janitor work; is the present janitor of the Second Presbyterian Church. He was married to Mary J. Beatty, July 24, 1873; she was born in Indiana. She was a daughter of Isaac Beatty, born in Tennessee. He was a member of the A.M.E. Church. His wife, Julia Brown, was born in Maryland. The father of William Holt, John Holt, was born on Brice's creek, North Carolina. He was a member of the A.M.E. Church, and began preaching when he was eighteen. His wife, Susan Starkey, was born in North Carolina. She was also a member of the A.M.E. Church, and mother of sixteen children. Mr. and Mrs. William Holt are members of the A.M.E. Church at Springfield, and have one child, Matilda E. Holt. Mr. Holt is steward of the Second A.M.E. Church. He cast his first vote for U.S. Grant for President. He owns a nice residence at No. 1522, East Capitol Avenue.