James Thomas Holt

(Aug. 21, 1841 - Sept. 4, 1919) A native Virginian, James Thomas ("Tank") Holt came to Fannin County with his parents in 1849. After serving in the Confederate cavalry during the Civil War (1861-65), he started a freighting operation. He invested his profits in such ventures as ranching, the Honey Grove Cotton Oil Mill, and Planters National Bank. He built Honey Grove's first public water system and owned a store and hotel in Mineral Wells. Married to Margaret Elizabeth Self (1843-1928), he had four children.