Carl Holter
Mercantile interests of Postville find a progressive and able
representative in Carl Holter, who for many years past has been
closely connected with the clothing, gentlemen’s furnishings
and shoe business in the city, controlling today a large and
representative enterprise. A native of Norway, he was born in
Christiania, June 30, 1847, a son of Ole and Martha (Oleson)
Holter, both born in the vicinity of that city. The father spent
his entire life farming in Norway, dying in that country in 1860.
The mother afterward crossed the Atlantic to America, settling in
Postville in 1873, and continuing to make her home in the city
until her death, which occurred about the year 1903.
Carl Holter supplemented an education acquired in the public
schools of Norway by one winter’s attendance after he came
to America. He had, however, begun his independent career before
crossing the Atlantic, having secured a position as clerk in a
government office in his native country. After two years in that
capacity he went to Christiania and was there employed in a
grocery store, later becoming connected with a hat store in that
capital. He came to the United States in 1869 and pushed westward
to Chicago, where he remained for four months working at anything
which would bring him an income. Having studied English while in
Norway he had one advantage over many of this fellow emigrants
and found that his knowledge of the language of the country was a
valuable asset to him in the beginning of his career here. From
Chicago he went to Memphis, Tennessee, and there worked for six
months in a large bakery, returning at the end of that time to
Chicago. After two months he came to Postville, working upon a
farm near the city for two years thereafter and then securing
employment in a general store, a connection which he retained for
ten years, although he spent one year during that time in River
Falls, Wisconsin. Being ambitious to engage in business for
himself, he founded the firm of Holter, Schultz and Welzel but
after one year withdrew from this connection and established the
clothing firm of Armstrong and Holter. This association continued
from 1883 to 1892, at which time Mr. Holter purchased his
partner's interest and assumed entire control of the business. He
has conducted it alone since that time and controls an important
and growing trade accorded him in recognition of his full and
complete line of goods, his modern and progressive business
methods and his courteous service. Always a progressive and
public-spirited citizen, he has taken a great interest in the
growth of Postville’s business institutions and aided in the
organization of the Citizens State Bank, of which he is now a
director. He has not, however, varied outside interests,
preferring to devote all of his attention to the conduct of his
store, with the result that he is numbered today among the
substantial merchants of the community.
On the 22d of May, 1883, Mr. Holter married Miss Mary Marston,
who was born in Post township, October 26, 1854, a daughter of
James C. And Nancy Marie (Fisher) Marston, natives of New York
state. The father was a prosperous farmer and also a local
preacher. He came as a pioneer to Post township, he and his wife
being among the first settlers there, and both died in the
community where they had so long made their home. Mr. and Mrs.
Holter are the parents of a daughter, Edna, born April 23, 1884.
She is the wife of W. H. Burling, an attorney in Postville, and
they have one son, Carl Frederick, born November 21, 1912.
Fraternally Mr. Holter is connected with the blue lodge of
Masons, in Postville, with the chapter of Elgin and the
commandery at West Union. He was formerly connected with other
important fraternal organizations but has now withdrawn from
membership. He is a progressive republican in his political view
and for twelve years did straightforward, able and businesslike
work as a member of Postville city council. He is one of the best
known and most highly respected citizens of the community where
he has so long resided. His record is, indeed, a commendable one
and the most envious cannot criticize his business or political
accomplishments. His course has been characterized by the
strictest fidelity to principle and in social relations he
displays an unfailing courtesy and cordiality which have won for
him many friends.
-source: Past & Present of Allamakee County; by
Ellery M. Hancock; S. J. Clarke Pub. Co.; 1913
-transcribed by Diana Diedrich
Return to 1913 biographies index