Ballard Holt

Ballard Holt was born on March 20, 1837 in Chelmsford and died in Andover on October 10, 1925. Ballard Holt was the first librarian at Memorial Hall Library. He served as Head Librarian from 1872-1906 when Edna A. Brown of Newport, R.I. was named as his successor. The appointment was a reward for his participation in the Civil War, as he was a carpenter by trade. After his retirement as Librarian at Memorial Hall Library, Ballard Holt continued to serve the library in the capacity of custodian until 1914.

Ballard Holt enlisted in military service from Andover in September 12, 1862. He enlisted as a Private in Company G of the Massachusetts 44th Infantry and fought at Kinston, Whitehall, Goldsboro and in the siege of Washington, North Carolina. He was discharged on June 18, 1863 and mustered again on August 26, 1864 in Company B of the Massachusetts 11th Infantry. He served until the close of war and mustered out on June 4, 1865.

At a very young age, his family moved to Holt Hill in Andover, the eighth generation of Holt's to settle in Andover. After Ballard married, he moved closer to the center of town: He lived on both Maple and Central Streets. He graduated from Phillips Academy in 1854.

His burial place in located in Spring Grove Cemetery. Ballard Holt was a charter member and Commander of the William F. Bartlett Post 99 of the GAR (Grand Army of the Republic) a fraternal organization of Union Army Civil War Veterans.

REFERENCES

See Also

• Andover's First Librarian Journal of Greater Lawrence October 11, 1973, p. 16.
• Two Veterans Laid to Rest Ballard Holt Obituary Andover Townsman October 16, 1925, p. 1.
• The Record of Andover During the Rebellion , page 39.
• Historical Sketches of Andover, by Sarah Bailey Loring, page 95.
• Celebrated Eighty Sixth Birthday, Andover Townsman, March 23, 1923, p. 3.

---- Stephanie 16:59, 3 December 2025 (EST)
--Eleanor 15:07, September 22, 2011 (EDT) back to Main Page

--Eleanor 15:25, March 13, 2012 (EDT)

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