Lawyers and Lawmakers of Kentucky, by H. Levin, editor, 1897. Published by Lewis Publishing Company, Chicago. Reprinted by Southern Historical Press. p. 103. Franklin County. WILLIAM H. HOLT, an eminent attorney of Frankfort, and ex-chief justice of the court of appeals, was born in Bath county, Kentucky, November 29, 1842. His early education was obtained in the common schools of his native county, supplemented by study in Twinsburg, Ohio, and in Fort Edward Institute, New York. Subsequently he attended the Albany Law University, of Albany, New York, where he was graduated in May, 1863, with the highest honors of his class. He was admitted to the bar on the 5th of May, of the same year, and in June, 1863, began practice in Mt. Sterling. His legal attainment of a high order insured his success, and within a short time he had secured a large clientage. He was recognized as one of the leaders of the bar of eastern Kentucky and continued in active practice in Mt. Sterling until 1884, when he was elected associate judge of the court of appeals. His eight years of service were marked by the utmost fidelity, and his carefully prepared decisions, based upon the principles of law, commanded the respect and excited the admiration of his fellow members of the court of last resort. While not aspiring to office, Judge Holt has taken an active interest in politics, and has always been a stalwart Republican. When a young man he canvassed eastern Kentucky for the thirteenth constitutional amendment, abolishing slavery. He has twice served as presidential elector and seconded the nomination of Hon. John Sherman at the Chicago convention in 1884. The district from which he was elected judge in 1884 is comprised of forty counties, and he enjoys the distinction of being the first Republican who has ever served the state as chief justice. Of undoubted integrity, untiring industry, fine intellect, eloquent in speech, he is known and recognized as one of the leading men of the state, and is numbered among the ablest all-round lawyers of the commonwealth. Holt = Bath-KY Montgomery-KY OH NY http://www.rootsweb.com/~kygenweb/kybiog/franklin/holt.wh.txt