Peter Holm, a California pioneer and agriculturist of Tracy, dating his residence in the state from November, 1866, was born in Schleswig, Germany, on the 28th of February, 1841. His parents were Peter and Katie Holm, also natives of Schleswig, and both are now deceased. His father was one of the representative old settlers in this section of the state and was well known, having taken an active part in the early pioneer development of his community.

Peter Holm spent the days of his minority in Germany and when he had arrived at man's estate he went to sea, sailing in 1862 to China, upon a merchant vessel, which made the voyage around the Cape of Good Hope. Mr. Holm spent over three years as a sailor on merchant ships on the coast of China and came to America from Hong Kong, China, in 1866, landing at San Francisco. Since that time he has made his home in this state. He remained for a brief period in Alameda county, California, and then came to San Joaquin county in 1867. He resided near Bethany until 1880, when he removed to Merced county, California, where he made his home until 1884. In that year he returned to San Joaquin county and began farming near Tracy. He has carried on agricultural pursuits to the present time and is an enterprising, diligent and careful farmer. From 1873 until 1877 he was engaged in the sheep industry in San Joaquin county. He now owns three hundred and eighty-seven acres of land which he farms, and he also rents an additional tract of thirteen hundred acres. He has placed this under a good state of cultivation, showing that his methods are progressive and that he is thoroughly familiar with the best ways of proucing fine crops.

On the 12th of September, 1866, Mr. Holm was united in marriage to Miss Wilhelmina Hansen, a native of Denmark, and to them have been born four children: Katie, Clara, Mary and Wilhelmina. Mr. Holm is public-spirited, favoring anything that tends to promote his district. He belongs to the Knights of Pythias fraternity, holding membership in West Side Lodge No. 177, at Tracy. In his business career his strong determination and indefatigable energy have been the basic elements of his success and have enabled him to work his way upward from humble surroundings to a position of affluence.

Source: History of the New California Its Resources and People, Volume II

The Lewis Publishing Company - 1905
Edited by Leigh H. Irvine