IN OBSERVANCE OF MR. & MRS. MARTIN HOLTAN’S 50TH WEDDING ANNIVERSARY… DECEMBER 10, 1953
OBSERVED OCTOBER 11, 1953, FIRST LUTHERAN CHURCH WASHBURN
Written by Mary Ann Barnes Williams – Washburn, N.D. October 1953
I cannot hope in the span of a few minutes to do justice to the history of this worthy couple, to whom we pay tribute today– their golden wedding anniversary. It will be but a thumb-nail sketch, so to speak. Some time previous to this in recording pioneer history of this vicinity, I included in detail, much of the history of the O.C. Peterson and Hans Holtan families – Hence, I know – I am conscious of how much that is interesting and worthwhile, I must omit now. I am telling you this so you won’t do as a kindly woman did, who came up to the speaker at the conclusion of his address and said, “I thoroughly enjoy your speaking, I don’t know why it is, but whenever I make a speech I seem to be so nervous, but when you speak, you seem to be unconscious.” I hope you won’t think the same of me in regard to this history.
Speaking first of ancestors – of course there are some we don’t speak to or even speak about – but we all have ancestors; some claim to be self made which if so, relieved the Lord of much responsibility. And one wit said, “the Almighty must have a streak of humor, else he would have created the parrot, the monkey and some of us folks.” Yes, we all have ancestors; although a young lad didn’t think so, who had just moved to a new town and was asked several times by his new boy friends to tell them about his ancestors. He declared he didn’t have them – and was laughed at and told – “O yes you have.” So, he went to the doctor and asked him if he had ancestors. The kindly old fellow said, “Yes, my lad, lots of them.” Then the boy blurted out – “I didn’t have any until I came to this ‘ole town.”
In my pioneer history research of this section of our state, I learned much of Mr. and Mrs. Martin Holtans’ ancestors – especially of their parents and in part recorded it in my several books.
They were Norwegian in descent – and so too were their parents – all came from Norway. They and their descendants have all adhered practically 100 % to the Lutheran faith – their occupation was mostly farming. Mr. & Mrs. Holtan’s parents came to the United States in the 1860’s – Mrs. Holtan’s parents Mr. & Mrs. O.C. Peterson to Wisconsin – and Mr. Holtan’s parents Mr. & Mrs. Hans Holtan to Minnesota and four years later removed to Iowa. Those were pioneering days in those states. The Hans Holtan’s came to this vicinity in 1886 to live on the Mike Sather’s pre-empted homestead and the O.C. Petersons came in 1889 to be their neighbors on the Sangesland homestead, for which they traded their Wisconsin land. Both farms were in the Sverdrup township, some 5 or 6 miles north of Washburn. These were territorial days– a sparsely settled land and it took sturdy pioneers to tame these frontiers – and the Holtan’s and Petersons proved to be such and did their full share.
I found O.C. Peterson and Hans Holtan listed as Republicans and their names on many committees promoting every good cause, serving on church and school boards; as road commissioner and assessor – contributing bountifully to church, school and charity. They were prime promoters in organizing and establishing the Sverdrup Lutheran church. They with their families were members and faithful attenders and supporters of this rural church. They were good farmers, good neighbors and good citizens. When I say they, I mean the wives also. Their many good deeds stand as tributes to them.
Now in the after glow – we can recognize the influence or the heritage of characteristics they left their children. No one is born with a definite attitude of understanding tolerance, consideration, reverence, love or appreciation, or patriotism, or honesty or tact – these attitudes are all gradually acquired through training, environment and association. We who know Martin Holtan and his wife admire these traits of character acquired through influence of their parents and which has helped maintain their good relations with neighbors and in business for more than 50 years. For we all know, the present Holtan Mercantile Department store is the outgrowth of a store opened here in Sept. 1901 under the name of Hans Holtan and sons (Martin & Henry). Some of you did not know that Amanda Peterson – now Mrs. Martin Holtan was one of their first clerks – then is when Martin’s and Amanda’s good relations started!
And like father, like son – Martin has served on many committees for church, school and community welfare – raising funds, promoting and contributing – giving of his time and talent continuously for a great many years as a musician and sportsman for their benefit.
He was a member of Washburn’s first band, playing the tuba – bass horn – and a member of the first baseball club formed here – the Sverdrup nine – He was the catcher or its outfielder – Countless are the community affairs in which he has played his part in the band or on the ball diamond.
In 1920-21, you would have found he was devoting much time and effort getting this church basement ready for use, and again in 1928 getting the church building completed – Meanwhile and all through the following years, served this church in many capacities – as secretary-deacon-trustee-and choir member, although he is late sometimes. “Time and tide, wait for no man” – neither does the Lutheran church Choir – for Martin has been seen adjusting and getting into his choir gown as he brings up the rear of the processional to the choir alcove.
As to civic duties, Martin has served on the city commission, the school board, Riverview Cemetery Association, and is the best of the Lion’s Lions – a charter member of this club and is today a very energetic active member as are his three sons Howard, Earl and Orville. Martin’s little grand daughter was greatly concerned over the story book lamb which its mother refused to claim. She asked her grandfather – “Well why doesn’t the mommy take care of her baby lamb?” Martin answered – “I guess she doesn’t want to be bothered with it.” “Well,” she said “Why doesn’t the daddy take care of it.” Martin explained – “Animal daddies usually don’t take care of their children.” But said the granddaughter – “My daddy takes care of me and he is a lion.”
Mr. Holtan shares his success and his tributes with his helpmate of 50 years – Mrs. Holtan is a home body – timid and retiring always – never wanting to be in the lime light – the mother of three sons and one daughter Blanche, she has had a busy life caring for them and helping to raise her sister Minnie’s three motherless children, Clinton, Beatrice and Ruthie Raugust. Mrs. Holtan is a meticulous housekeeper, and an excellent cook – and she has been the gracious hostess of many church and school social affairs. The many Holtan and Peterson relative have been frequent callers and always found a welcome from her. She is neighborly – friendly to all – and kind – and happy.
You know there two things make a woman happy – a husband and someone she might have had, to compare him to. Well, Mrs. Holtan has been happy and she has these two. The one for comparison lives in the east end of town – Can’t you guess? I’ll give you another clue – He raises lots of peonies!
Ah yes, we must have a little laugh now and then – it is better for us than medicine. I don’t know whether it was in Holtan’s store, that a certain firm advertised – “shirts that laugh at the laundry” – a customer said, “they must have a keen sense of humor, for two of them came back with their sides split.”
Rev. L.A. Breen tied the nuptial know of Amanda Peterson and Martin Holtan in the late afternoon of Dec. 10, 1903 at the home of the bride’s parents in Washburn; and the present home of her sister Selma Peterson. This was Rev. Breen’s first wedding service in this, his new charge. The bride’s sister Minnie was bridesmaid and the groom’s brother Gilbert, best man. There are several present today, who were guests at this wedding 50 years ago. Mrs. Hans C. Nygaard, Mrs. Ole Holtan and son Hubert, Mr & Mrs. C.M. Diesen.
It was a winter of deep snow and many blizzards and the newly married couple took charge of the Peterson home while the Petersons remained on their Malcom ranch – so the honey moon trip was delayed for several months. The Holtan’s four years later built the house across the street, south, where they have resided all these years.
Truly, they have been blessed in many ways – they have lived a long life in the midst of their immediate families – they are the parents of four children, whom they reared to maturity – there has been no break or death in the family circle – they have given advanced schooling to their children, far more than they ever had – as is every parents wish and established them in the business world. Another blessing – the Holtan’s have five healthy good-looking and smart grandchildren – Well those of you, who have grandchildren know how smart and good-looking grandchildren can be!
If you live in a home with other people, you really get to know them – a former school girl who lived with the Martin Holtan’s several years while attending school in Washburn has this to say – there were no harsh words – corrections and instructions were given in soft spoken tones – there were cheery greetings and thoughtful goodbyes as they came and went – it was a well regulated home and love, tolerance, patience and respect and spiritual training were very evident there.
I should like to tell you a few little know facts of Martin in particular – His name might have been Martin Evenson – instead of Martin Holtan – if his father had not changed his name to Holtan, after leaving Norway – the old country custom then of changing your name to that of the farm or section of country where you lived or had lived. It is thought; His given name, Martin was chosen to perpetuate the revered name of Martin Luther that great leader of the German Reformation. Martin Holtan has two namesakes, a grandson, William Martin Holtan and a nephew – Martin Grothe – both are present, I believe. Martin is the 6th son of Mr. and Mrs. Hans Holtan’s 10 sons, eight grew to manhood and the 10th child in that family of 13 children.
Of these brothers, several were teachers and county officials and one, Theodore, signed an M.D. after his name – and this is the way I “heerd” it – there was a gathering of the Holtan’s and Petersons and their in-laws, all of the clan, and all registered their names and several were putting initials after their names such as M.D. – D.D. – Ph.D. – and an uncle came along to write his name and not to be out done by the others wrote his name and after it put R.F.D. No. 3.
Martin received his early schooling in the rural community near Forest City, Iowa, where he was born and reared, and his higher schooling at Decorah, Iowa. He taught his first term of school in a rural district in Iowa. When he was 18 years old, he came to Dakota and taught the summer term of 1895 in the first school house built in McLean County – It was in the Nettle Creek district – known as Fritz school. It was a log building sided up – not nice in appearance or even convenient, but oh so cool in the summer. He taught for two years in this and the Falconer and O’Berg school houses. Several of his pupils reside here – George Wicklander, Art Fritz, Oscar Oberg, Gunder Hagen and Mrs. Adolph Larson.
Martin had all the dignity then of a supreme court judge and was determined to be a model of propriety – he held him self aloof and ignored any girl pupil’s advances or beguiling ways. He was a teacher – he vowed there would be no gossip about him – going steady with any young lady pupil. Well, it was no easy matter, with Lettie and Lillie Fritz, Daisy Falconer and Minnie Swan, all young ladies, who set him in a dizzy spin with their smiles and becoming ways – Now, he asks himself – how dumb can a man be – a teacher that is?
I told you Martin was musical and athletic. While teaching he rode a bicycle or horse to and from his boarding place to his parent’s home, each weekend or to his own homestead, which is the present John Shulz farm. It isn’t generally known, but he aspired to be a Jack Benny on the violin, but with so much protest and never any praise, when he practiced, he became discouraged and has put his violin in the attic, where it is today.
If Rev. Harold Hanson were here, he could tell you of their many days of wild game bird hunting together. Their early breakfasts together before the day in the fields – other hunting companions here, could vouch for the fact that Martin got his share of duck, geese, prairie chicken and deer – and what’s more, he still does.