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         J. FRANK HOLIDAY, one of the leading merchants of Morning Sun, Iowa, engaged in the drug business, was born in Columbus, Ohio, Oct. 22, 1852, and is a son of John P. Holiday, who was born in Cincinnati, in 1822. In early life his father learned the trade of a carpenter and joiner, which he followed for many years, but subsequently engaged in the milling business. In 1828 he was united in marriage with Frances Wright, a native of Baltimore, Md., and by their union seven children were born: Joshua W., now one of the prominent practicing physicians of Burlington, Iowa; Charles, a conductor on the Wabash & Pacific Railroad; J. Frank, of this sketch; James F., now in the employ of the Consolidated Tank Line Company, with headquarters at Decatur, Ill.; Chester D., a dealer in hardware and agricultural implements, of Blue Mound, Ill.; Harry, a conductor on the Wabash Railroad; Fannie, wife of Lyman Crosthwait, who is also engaged with the Tank Line Company at Decatur, Ill.

In 1855 John Holiday emigrated with his family to Jefferson County, Iowa, locating in the city of Fairfield, where he built many of the first buildings. He also engaged in milling, purchasing the Round Prairie Mills, which he operated for some time. In 1868 the family removed to Decatur, Ill., where the parents yet reside. Mr. Holiday in early life was a strong anti-slavery man, never ashamed to be known by the term Abolitionist, and was among the first to advocate the temperance cause in his neighborhood. While in Ohio he was honored by several local offices, holding the office of Justice of the Peace for several years. He was reared in the Presbyterian faith, but for many years has been an active member in the Methodist Episcopal Church. As a neighbor, he has always been true and accommodating, as a father and husband, kind and affectionate, as a Christian, earnest and faithful.

The subject of our sketch came to Iowa with his parents when three years of age, and received a liberal education in the district schools and at Mt. Pleasant, Iowa. In 1868 he went to Decatur, Ill., where he engaged as a salesman in the mercantile business for David Bennett, and in 1874 returned to Louisa County, locating at Morning Sun, where he embarked in the drug business with his brother, Dr. J. W. Holiday. Selling out his interest in that firm, he was then employed as a clerk by J. H. Delzell, whose stock he subsequently purchased, and has built up a trade of which he may well feel proud.

In the month of June, 1876, Mr. Holiday was joined in wedlock with Miss Sarah M. Delzell, whose parents were early settlers of Louisa County. He has continued to reside in Morning Sun since 1874, and is one of the leading business men of the place, who by close attention to the wants of his customers, has secured a well-deserved and liberal patronage. Politically, Mr. Holiday is a Republican, and has held several local offices of trust.