A SHORT SEKTCH IN THE LIFE OF JESSE PAYTON HOLT
Written APRIL 1, 1983 by one of his children
Jesse Payton Holt was born June 19, 1833 in Rutherford County Tennessee. His parents were John and Mary Redd Holt. They were both natives of North Carolina. His paternal grandfather being William Holt.
John Holt was a soldier in the War of 1812. He was the father of eight children, five of thme came to this country.
Jesse P. was the youngest of the family. He didn't have the opportunity of receiving much education, as they lived in the back woods of a scattered community. We know very little of his childhood and boyhood days. He was taught to work very young at farming and tobacco raising. He first heard the Gospel preached in his native home by Randolf Alexander. But didn't at that time embrace it, but his parents did.
In 1850 his parents left Tennessee and joined the body of the Saints at Council Bluffs, Iowa. Here he was baptized by Daniel Furbanks. His brother William left in 1859 and joined the Mormon Battalion. His father also left them at Council Bluffs in 1850 coming on alone to Utah were he remained a short time, then went to California where he spent the remaining years of his life, dying there in 1882 or 1883.
Thus this 17 year old boy was left with the full responsibility of his Mother, a trust he faithfully fulfilled until she died at the age of 83 years. She died November 14 1875, at Spanish Fork, Utah. Jesse P. And his mother and two sisters remained at Council Bluffs until the return of their son and brother William. He came back for them and they crossed the plains in 1851, in a company of fifty wagons under the command of Captain Alfred Cardin.
They arrive in Salt Lake about October of 1851. They drove two yoke of Oxen and on yoke of cows. They milked the cows morning and night and drove them as a team by day. Their hardships and difficulties were about the same as experienced by all others that crossed the plains in those days. He didn't remain in Salt Lake City but a short time he went to work at the saw mill up Mill creek Canyon, owned by his brother-in-law Samuel Thompsen. He worked there until February 1852.
Then came with his mother to Spanish Fork and this was ever after their home with the exception of one year which he spent in Salt Lake City helping to build the fort there.
His first home in Spanish Fork was a dugout up where the Markham Farm was or it was called in those day the upper settlement, as the settlers were scattered from there all down the river to where the Steven Markham farm now is. It was in the upper settlement that he did his first farming in Utah in 1853. He with Samuel Thompson and family and several other families remained there until the Indians became troublesome and the people had to move in a fort built at Palmyra where they remained for safety until John R. Redd and others built a fort on the lot now owned by A. R. M. Beck. Father built his first house on the lot now owned by Walter Moore and Willis Brockbank. He made adobes and built the house they owned until his death.
He met Sarah Naomi Carr, daughter of Thomas and Almira (Harmond) Carr in Spanish Fork and they were married November 30, 1856 by her Uncle Levi Harmond and were later sealed in the Endowment House in Salt Lake City (13 Dec 1862).
Ten Children were born to them three of whom preceded them beyond the veil. Six daughters and one son are still living. (In 1983)
My father took an active interest in the early development of Spanish Fork, he helped build the first meeting house, the first school house, the first Opera House, of which he was manager for many years. He helped build the city hall. He also helped build the broom mill that Mr. Jex made his first brooms in. Allen Adamson did the architect work and he did the carpenter work. He also helped build the canals and irrigation ditches and was Water Master over some of them for a number of years. In fact he assisted in all of the up building of this city.
Note:( There is a small museum on Spanish Fork main street with some memorabilia and a bed of Grandfather Holt (2007).)
In July 1853 he joined the soldiers who were at war with Chief Walker and served during the entire time of that disturbance and help a Captain's commission therein. And for many years received a pension from the Government for the service thus rendered. He also did active service in the Black Hawk War, went to Sanpete on one trip as baggage master or teamster. He took his turn standing guard many days and nights. He was on home guard where Albert Dimick was killed.
He was very retiring in disposition and never sought for public office but avoided them whenever possible. He with the help of his faithful wife worked diligently and faithfully to rear and support their family. She died July 1, 1903 leaving him at the age of seventy to battle with life alone with his children which he did for 20 years. He would never to in debt, and was free with his offerings and giving to the poor. He always kept wheat in his bin from one harvest until another.
During his long and faithful life he was devoted to his religion. He was never a public speaker but would teach the Gospel around his own fireside. He presided over the deacons and took charge of the fast offerings for a number of years. He received the priesthood step by step and was a High Priest at the time of his death.

Gone, But Not Forgotten

Oh! we miss you dearest father
Since your spirit from us fled,
But we know you've joined our mother
With the great un-numbered dead.

Marker transcription: Oh! We miss you dearest father since your spirit from us fled, But we know you've joined our mother with the great un-numbered dead.