Martin was a schoolteacher, a merchant and a musician and Amanda very active with her church, clubs and family. For the stories of their store-keeping days, go also to the article on the Holtan Stores.
We’re going to tell their story in a number of ways. Below is the short telling of the Martin and Amanda story by their daughter Blanche, probably written in the mid-1970’s. Then we include two obituaries for Martin, a tribute at their 50th Wedding Anniversary by Mary Ann Barnes Williams, a friend and legendary newswoman. And for his youngest son, we include a section on Orville Holtan, a poem and a eulogy from his son Tim. We invite you also to read an article from the 164 Army Infantry News about Orville’s service in Guadacanal 1942-43 and also one on his Japanese flags.
MARTIN HOLTAN FAMILY Written by Blanche Holtan in the mid-1970’s
Hans and Margit Nordgaarden Holtan came to Minnesota from Tellermarken, Norway in 1862, and in 1867 moved to Winnebago county, near Forest City, Iowa. Martin Holtan was one of thirteen children born to this union. In 1886 the Holtans left their comfortable, well-established home in Iowa and came to Dakota Territory to pioneer and make a home once again on the frontier. The Holtan home became a center of community social life – the boys had a ball diamond on their place, they played in the band, and they danced, they rode, they taught school, and drew friends unto themselves from all around, remaining at home until grown men.
Martin attended school first in Iowa, and then in Washburn’s first school where St. Edwin’s catholic church is now located. Upon completion of grade school he took a job in the George M. Robinson-Lawrence Casselman general store, because there was no high school near by. After a year he went to Decorah, Iowa, where he took a business course in a private school. Later he taught school near forest City, and in 1895 returned to Washburn to teach two terms, held in the summer, in the Montefiore rural school district. Because he never really wanted to be a teacher, he took a job in another general store on the present Washburn Hotel site, owned by August Wahl.
In 1901 Mr. Holtan’s father, Hans Holtan, opened a general store known as Hans Holtan and sons, operated by Martin and a younger brother Henry. This store was on the site of the present Jack and Jill Store, with the first stock being brought in by riverboat, and later by rail. In 1912 Hans Holtan and Sons was incorporated into the Holtan Mercantile Co., with Martin leading the concern. In 1914, it was moved across the street to its present location, which is now “Maxine’s” Variety and Apparel Store, owned by Mr. and Mrs. Richard Schmit. The Holtan’s children, Howard, Earl, Blanche and Orville joined their father in operating the store until Mr. Holtan’s death October 15, 1956 and continued managing it until 1970.
As a young man in the early 1890’s Martin Holtan was a member of the first towns band, playing the tuba, he played on the first baseball team, was one of the first committeemen of the Washburn Scout troop, serving for over twenty years. He was also on the Washburn School board, a member of the city commission when the town’s water works were installed, a charter member of the Washburn Lions Club which was started in 1929, president of the North Dakota Retail Merchants Association, and he held many offices in the First Lutheran Church. He was an avid hunter up until the time he died October 15, 1956, after suffering a stroke.
Amanda Peterson, daughter of Ole C. and Clara Peterson, was born December 10, 1879, at Martell, Wisconsin. In her childhood she came with her parents to North Dakota, where they homesteaded in Malcolm Township, near Coleharbor, and Amanda received her education at Washburn. Her education was interrupted many times because she had to stay home and help herd the many head of sheep they had. As a young girl, Amanda spent some time with her aunt and uncle, Mr. and Mrs. August Wahl, in Washburn, helping with the household duties. In her reminiscing she told how “Aunt”, as she always called Mrs. Wahl, was almost like a second mother to her, as her own mother did not move from the ranch to Washburn until several years after Amanda’s marriage.
Martin Holtan and Amanda Peterson were married December 10, 1903, by Rev. L.A. Breen, in the new home which the bride’s mother had just had built in Washburn. The newly married couple lived in this house for three years before building a home of their own just across the street. Mr. and Mrs. Martin Holtan were the parents of four children:
Howard graduated from St. Olaf college in 1927. He was in the store until he enlisted in the Navy in 1942 and was a storekeeper in the Sea Bees for two years, in the South Pacific area. He remained in the store until 1970, when, after sixty-nine years in business, the family decided to terminate the operation of Holtan Mercantile Company. Howard married Opal Emch, of Leith, December 30, 1945, who is now a teacher in the Washburn Public School. They have two children, Carol (Mrs. Dellas Sailer) of Stanton, and William Martin, teacher at the Grand Forks Air Force Base and one grandson, Christopher Steven Sailer. Howard passed away December 14, 1976.
Earl is single. He attended college at Agricultural college at Fargo, now the North Dakota State University. He was in the store until he enlisted in the Army in 1942. He received an honorable medical discharge later. He remained in the store until the business terminated. He died from a stroke June 16, 1973.
Blanche is single. She attended Valley City and Minot State colleges. In the store until the business terminated. Now an Avon Representative, and also local news writer for the Washburn Leader, living in the family home.
Orville attended college at the University of North Dakota, Grand Forks. In store until he entered the service (Army) in 1941 – stationed at Guadalcanal and that area for four years. Married Beverly Nordquist September 9, 1945. In store until 1970 and is now employed at K-G Men’s Store, Kirkwood Plaza, Bismarck. Beverly is employed by the Neurologic Associates as a physician’s assistant, at St. Alexius Hospital, Bismarck. They have four children: Kathleen Jo (Mrs. Terry Wilner), of Willmar, Minn., Bruce, of Fargo, Barbara Jean (Mrs. Ted Deschaump), Bismarck, and Timothy, single, and teaching music at Superior, Montana. Orville and Beverly also have three grandchildren.
Mrs. Martin Holtan lived only seven months after the death of her husband, Martin. She, too, suffered a stroke and died May 18, 1957.
(Kathy Wilner’s notes, I believe this was written by Blanche Holtan in the mid 70’s and there are a few mistakes in the story but overall good information about her family) April 1, 2009