S. J. HOLT. S. J. Holt, manager of the West Plains Electric Light Company, of which Holt & Fallett are the proprietors, is one of the most successful and prominent business men in the city. The above mentioned business was established in 1889. This company is running the city lights and is doing a milling business, in all about $20,000 per year.
Mr. Holt is a native of Grand Rapids, Mich., and his father being a prominent saw mill man, our subject grew up in that business. He became interested in a saw mill at that place, but left there and came to West Plains and bought out the planing mill business here. He has made a success of this venture, and Mr. G. M. Fallett, who came to this section from the Empire State, became connected with him in business. Both are honorable and energetic business men who have been active supporters of all measures for the benefit and upbuilding of the localities in which they live.
Mr. Holt came to south Missouri in 1883 and first took a position as general manager for the South Missouri Lumber Company at Burnham, this county. He continued with this company a number of years and then embarked in the saw mill business at Birch Tree, Missouri, continuing this one year. After this he was general manager for the Kansas City Lumber Company at Sedgwick, Arkansas, for some time, so that when he embarked in business for himself he had had a wide experience. The enterprise he and Mr. Follett now carry on is one of the largest in the city and is a credit to the same. They have a sixty-horse-power engine and employ many assistants. In his political views Mr. Holt is a Republican. He is married and has six sons. Socially he is an Odd Fellow, a member of Rockford Lodge No. 247, in Michigan.