Hart Benton Holton
American politician (1835–1907)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Hart Benton Holton (October 13, 1835 – January 4, 1907) was an American politician from Maryland. He served in the U.S. House of Representatives and as a member of the Maryland Senate.
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Hart Benton Holton | |
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| Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Maryland's 5th district | |
| In office March 4, 1883 – March 3, 1885 | |
| Preceded by | Andrew Grant Chapman |
| Succeeded by | Barnes Compton |
| Member of the Maryland Senate from the Howard County district | |
| In office 1862–1867 | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | October 13, 1835 near Elkton, Maryland, U.S. |
| Died | January 4, 1907 (aged 71) |
| Resting place | Loudon Park Cemetery |
| Party | Unconditional Union Republican |
| Spouse |
Pamelia A. Gary (m. 1861) |
| Occupation |
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Early life
Hart Benton Holton was born on October 13, 1835, near Elkton, Maryland, to Mary (née Alexander) and John Holton.[1][2] His father emigrated from Ireland and his mother emigrated from Scotland.[3] He attended common schools, including Blair High School in Chester County, Pennsylvania. He also attended Hopewell Academy of Chester, Pennsylvania.[1][2]
Career
Holton moved to Baltimore, Maryland in 1857 and taught school in Alberton, Maryland, from 1857 to 1873.[1][2] He was also affiliated with the cotton manufacturing industry and mills in Alberton and was employed by James S. Gary.[2][3]
Holton was a Republican. During the Civil War, he advocated for the Union cause. He served as a Unconditional Union member of the Maryland Senate, representing Howard County, from 1862 to 1867.[1][2] He advocated for the passage of the charter of the Baltimore and Potomac Railroad and the State Agricultural Association.[2][3] He later moved to Woodlawn, Maryland in 1873, where he engaged in the raising of blooded horses.[1][3] He was elected from the fifth district of Maryland as a Republican to the Forty-eighth Congress, and served from March 4, 1883, to March 3, 1885.[1] In 1883, he ran as the Republican nominee for the governorship of Maryland, but lost to Robert Milligan McLane.[2] He was an unsuccessful candidate for reelection in 1884 to the Forty-ninth Congress and retired from public life, at which point he took up an interest in raising horses.[1]
Personal life
Holton married Pamelia A. Gary, daughter of James S. Gary and sister of Postmaster General James Albert Gary, on August 27, 1861.[2][3] In 1876, he purchased his 430 acres (170 ha) Meadows home on Dogwood Road near Woodlawn.[2][3] He purchased the stallion Orange Blossom for US$12,000 and took care of it on his property. He later purchased the stallion Bradstreet.[3] He was a member of the Gentlemen's Driving Club and served as a judge at club races.[3]
Holton died of a heart ailment at his Meadows home in Woodlawn on January 4, 1907. He was interred in Loudon Park Cemetery of Baltimore, Maryland.[1][2]
