Encyclopedia of Connecticut biography, genealogical-memorial ...

State as a leader in the dairy interests,
and it was very natural that Governor
Holcombe, his neighbor in Southington,
should select him, on January 21, 1918,
to fill the place made vacant by the death,
January 13, 1918, of Frank Stadtmueller,
as head of the State Dairy and Food Department.
This is still more complimen-
tary to Mr. Holt, because he is not of the
same political association as is Governor
Holcombe. On May 1, 1918, at the expir-
ation of the term, he was reappointed for
the full term of four years. He early
achieved recognition among his contem-
poraries, and is now president of the
Farmers' Cooperative Purchasing Asso-
ciation of Bristol and of the Connecticut
Milk Producers' Association; director of
the Connecticut Dairymen's Association
and also holds this office in the Hartford
County League and Farm Bureau. He
makes an excellent director of this association
by virtue of his thorough knowl-
edge of dairying, and is regarded by his
associates as an expert and the best
informed farmer in the State.
While a resident of the town of South-
ington Mr. Holt took more than an active
interest in civic affairs. He is a Democrat
in politics, and held the office of selectman
of Southington for five consecutive
years, and in all seven years, during
which time he rendered valuable service.
He is a member of Union Grange of
Southington, of which he has been mas-
ter. Of broad-minded, sympathetic nature
and generous impulses, Mr. Holt
very naturally became allied with several
fraternities. He was raised in Free Masonry
at Fort Payne, Alabama, and within
a very short time after his locating in
Southington he became affiliated with
Friendship Lodge, No. 33, Ancient Free
and Accepted Masons, of that town. He
is also a member of Harmony Lodge, No.
35, Order of the Eastern Star, in which
ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BIOGRAPHY
340
he is now serving his fourth term as
worthy patron. He is a member of
Steven Terry Lodge, No. 59, Independent
Order of Odd Fellows, of Bristol, and of
Southington Lodge, Knights of Pythias.
Mr. Holt married, October 26, 1884,
at Bristol, Dakota, Mary Ellen Hurst,
daughter of James and Ellen Hurst, of
Littleboro, England, and they are the parents
of three children : Mary Alice, who
became the wife of James C. Gilbert, of
Bristol; John William, born in 1895, at
Worcester, New York, now a resident of
Southington ; George, born in Southington,
now residing in Newington.
HARRIS, Chauncey,
Educator.
The Harris family is one of the oldest
in New England, having been founded by
Thomas Harris, who kept the ferry at
Charlestown, Massachusetts, for many
years, beginning 1630. He was born
1570-71, and died April 11, 1661, in
Charlestown, at the age of ninety years.
His wife, Elizabeth, married (second)
Deacon William Stillson, and died Feb-
ruary 16, 1670.
Their fifth son, Captain Daniel Harris,
was a carpenter and wheelwright, resid-
ing in Rowley, Massachusetts, until 1652,
when he removed to Middletown, Con-
necticut. There he kept an inn in 1660,
was lieutenant of militia in 1661, later
captain, and died the last of November,
1701. The inventory of his estate placed
its value at £509 9s. He married Mary
Weld, who was born about 1629, and died
in 171 1, daughter of Joseph and Elizabeth
Weld, who were pioneers of Roxbury,
Massachusetts.
The eldest son of this marriage was
Captain Daniel Harris, born July 15, 1653,
in Middletown ; was for some time a
farmer in New London, Connecticut, and