Saxon W. Holt | |
|---|---|
 Portrait of Holt,c. 1936 | |
| 24th Lieutenant Governor of Virginia | |
| In office January 19, 1938 – March 31, 1940 | |
| Governor | James H. Price |
| Preceded by | James H. Price |
| Succeeded by | William M. Tuck |
| President pro tempore of theSenate of Virginia | |
| In office January 14, 1920 – January 12, 1938 | |
| Preceded by | C. Harding Walker |
| Succeeded by | Henry T. Wickham |
| Member of theVirginia Senate from the33rd district | |
| In office January 8, 1936 – January 12, 1938 | |
| Preceded by | William A. Wright |
| Succeeded by | Alexander L. Bivins |
| Member of theVirginia Senate from the34th district | |
| In office January 9, 1924 – January 8, 1936 | |
| Preceded by | Thomas J. Downing |
| Succeeded by | Hundson Cary |
| Member of theVirginia Senate from the36th district | |
| In office January 13, 1904 – January 9, 1924 | |
| Preceded by | None (new district) |
| Succeeded by | Morgan R. Mills |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Saxon Winston Holt (1871-03-25)March 25, 1871 Surry County, Virginia, U.S. |
| Died | March 31, 1940(1940-03-31) (aged 69) Newport News, Virginia, U.S. |
| Resting place | Surry County, Virginia, U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse | |
| Children | 3 |
| Relatives | Henry W. Holt (brother) |
| Occupation |
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Saxon Winston Holt (March 25, 1871 – March 31, 1940), aDemocrat, served as a member of the Virginia Senate and as the 24thLieutenant Governor of Virginia from 1938 until 1940.
Saxon Winston Holt was born on March 25, 1871, at the family farm inSurry County, Virginia, to Virginia Henry (née Winston) and Dr. Micajah Quincy Holt. His father practiced medicine in Surry County and also worked as a farmer. His grandfather Micajah Holt was a captain in the U.S. Army and served in the War of 1812. Holt was educated in county schools and atBethel Academy.[1][2]
At the age of 20, Holt became a shipping clerk at a grocery company inRichmond. After two years, he worked as a tobacco salesman for Butler & Bosher, a Richmond firm.[1][2] In the 1890s, he moved toNewport News and started S. W. Holt and Co., a wholesale grocers firm, with Arthur St. Clair Butler. Butler later sold his interest to Holt's brother Robert P. Holt. Holt continued working with the firm until his death.[1][2] He was vice president of First National Bank.[2]
Holt served as a member of theVirginia Senate, representing Elizabeth City, York, Warwick and Newport News, from 1904 to 1938.[3][4][5] He served on various committees throughout his career, including finance, general laws, social and moral welfare, privileges and elections, and the steering committee. He served as president pro tempore of the senate the last 15 years of his legislative service.[6] He was an advocate for hospital improvements and supported the legislation for the Catawba Sanatorium.[1]
Holt served asLieutenant Governor of Virginia from January 19, 1938, until his death.[7]
Holt married Maria Davis Reynolds, daughter of Mary A. (née Watkins) and Henry S. Reynolds, ofNorfolk in 1904. They had one daughter and two sons, Maria, Saxon W. Jr. and Micajah Quincy. They lived in Newport News.[2][7] His brother was judgeHenry W. Holt.[7] He was a member of the First Presbyterian Church.[2]
Holt died on March 31, 1940, at his home on Huntington Avenue in Newport News. He was buried in a family plot in Surry County.[1][5]
| Date | Election | Candidate | Party | Votes | % |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lieutenant Governor of Virginia | |||||
| Nov 2, 1937[8] | General | Saxon W. Holt | Democratic | 121,919 | 81.96 |
| Samuel A. Reynolds | Republican | 24,758 | 16.64 | ||
| Robert L. Alter | Prohibition | 2,085 | 1.40 | ||
| James H. Price did not seek reelection; seat stayed Democratic | |||||
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| National | |
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