Tilford Barkley Holt
AGED MAN DEAD
Tilford Barkley Holt Dies at Home of Daughter in Stealey Addition And is Buried.
The Daily Telegram., December 19, 1907
Tilford Barkley Holt, an aged and esteemed man, died at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Charles Sager, in the Stealey Addition Thursday night after a lingering illness with a complication of diseases.
Mr. Holt was born April 19, 1825 and was 82 years, 7 months and 29 days old.
He leaves seven sons and two daughters to mourn the loss of a kind and affectionate father. His children are: Barkley and Mansfield Holt, of this city, the Rev. William P. and the Rev. J. Newton Holt, of Fairmont; John W. Holt, of Weston; James W. Holt, of Sutton, Charles Holt, of Gilmer County; Mrs. Victoria Sager, of this city, and Mrs. Ann Skinner, of Shinnston.
He was a member of the Methodist Protestant Church for 62 years and was faithful in the discharge of all his Christian duties.
Funeral services were held at the residence of Mrs. Charles Sager in the Stealey addition Thursday afternoon at 2 o’clock and the burial followed in the Odd Fellows’ Cemetery.
TILFORD B. HOLT
The Clarksburg Telegram., December 26, 1907 Pg 2
The demise of Tilford Barkley Holt removes from the common walks of life among us those with whom he came in touch one of the most beloved and honored citizens.
Having arrived at the advanced age of 83 years he was indeed a father to the multitude.
He was born in Rockingham County, VA., April 19, 1825, and departed this life December 18, 1907.
His remains were interred in the I.O.O.F. Cemetery, Clarksburg, W. Va., December 19, 1907.
The early part of his life was spent in the mother state; late he removed to Gilmer County, West Virginia, where he spent the greater part of his life, then removing to Clarksburg, where with his children he received their tender care in his declining years.
In the year 1846 Mr. Holt was united in marriage to Catherine Merrit of Virginia, who departed this life Christmas Eve, 1905, at an advanced age. To this union eleven children were born, eight sons and three daughters, nine of whom survive him and participated in the last rites of his burial, namely, Barkley and Mansfield of Clarksburg; Rev. William P. and Jasper N., of Fairmont; James V., of Weston; Charles H., of Gilmer County; Mrs. Anna Skinner, of Shinnston, and Mrs. Victoria Sager, of Clarksburg, and John of Sutton.
For sixty of more years this aged grandfather was an earnest, yet humble follower of Jesus Christ, winning and holding the confidence of all with whom he associated.
He did not get rich in the things of this world, but leaving a heritage far more valuable–the example of a life spent in the cause of righteousness, and in the building up of the kingdom of Christ here on earth. As his children no wealth of silver or gold, but that which is far more valuable, the example of a devout Christian life.
At the age of 21 years grandfather Holt was converted and joined the Methodist Episcopal Church. He served as a class leader in a church of that denomination for over twenty years. For reasons which he deemed sufficient he afterwards united with the Methodist Protestant Church where he remained a devoted and consecrated member till the day of his death.
After his long Christian experience it is no wonder that at the end of the race he looked forward with pleasure and great joy to the hour and article of death when he would be transformed in the image and likeness of his creator. Death to him was great gain. He has laid down the crude implements which God gave him for this life’s battles and has taken up the crown of immortality bedecked with the jewels of joy, peace and eternal life.
Thus the fathers of a past generation go away. Their going is but the evidence that we too shall become as the aged and infirm and after a while shall lay down the cares of this life, and be reunited, Father and Son; God and his children!
A FRIEND
OBITUARY
The Daily Telegram., January 08, 1906
Catherine Holt was born July 27, 1827 and departed this life at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Charles Sager, in the Stealey Addition to Clarksburg, Dec. 24, 1905, aged 78 years, 4 months and 27 days.
She was united in marriage to Tilford B. Holt, May 11, 1847. To this happy union was born eleven children, two of which died in infancy.
She was converted and joined the church of the United Brethren in Christ, in the year 1841, at the age of fourteen. After the marriage she moved out of reach of her church, and connected herself with the Methodist Protestant Church, in which she lived a consistent Christian life, until the Master called her from labor to reward.
She was a great sufferer for many years, but amidst her pain and suffering she was happy in the Lord, and shouted His praise down to the crossing of the river.
She leaves an aged companion, seven sons, two daughters, many relatives and friends to mourn her departure but she has gone to live in a better clime.
Two of her sons are prominent ministers in the M. P. Church.
Her funeral was conducted from the home of her daughter by D. W. Cunningham, pastor of the Duff Street U. B. church, Christmas Day at 2 p. m., and her body was laid to rest in the I.O.O.F. Cemetery, to await the sounding of the trump of God on the last day.
