ALVIN L. HOLIDAY.

Pg 275

         Alvin L. Holiday, who has been cashier of the Grand View Savings Bank ever since its organization, was born in Taylor county, Iowa, on the 28th of October, 1861, a son of Abraham and Malinda (Murry) Holiday. The father was a native of Illinois and the mother of Indiana, in which state they were also married. They continued to reside in Indiana until 1854 when they removed to Taylor county, Iowa, where Mr. Holiday purchased a farm which he continued to cultivate until 1899. Disposing of their property in that year they went to Miami county, Kansas, where Mr. Holiday bought another farm which he later sold, and then purchased land in Elk county, Kansas. There the mother passed away in 1904, at the age of seventy-one years, and the father, who is now eighty-two, is living retired. Eleven children were born unto Mr. and Mrs. Holiday, as follows: Charles W., who is living in Austin, Kansas; G. M., a resident of Carthage, Missouri; J. F., of New Mexico; F. E., a graduate of Harvard University, who is teaching in the Mannual Training school of Kansas City; Minnie H., now Mrs. Navel, of Severy, Kansas; Carrie A., the wife of J. B. Telferd, of Brookville, Kansas; Leslie O., of Holden, Missouri; O. A., who is residing in Woodward, Oklahoma; Laura and Clarence, who are deceased; and Alvin L., our subject.

         In the common schools of Iowa Alvin L. Holiday acquired his preliminary education. This was later supplemented by a course in the State Normal School of Kirksville, Missouri, of which institution he is a graduate. Mr. Holiday began his career as a teacher before he had attained his eighteenth year, at which time he left home, continuing to be identified with that profession until 1903. During the twenty-two years he taught Mr. Holiday, among other positions, held the principalship of the high schools of Winfield, Henry county, Iowa; Brighton, Washington county, this state, Columbus Junction and Letts. In 1903 . . .

Pg 276

. . . he became associated with some business men in the organization of the Grand View Savings Bank, of which institution he has ever since been cashier.

         Mr. Holiday was united in marriage on the 3d of July, 1894, to Miss Alice Harris, who is a native of Platte county, Missouri, and a daughter of J. P. and Sumyra Harris. The parents, who were also natives of Missouri, resided in that state until in the ‘60s when they came to Iowa, settling in Page county. There Mr. Harris purchased a farm which he operated until a short time prior to their demise, when they retired to New Market. He passed away at the age of seventy and his wife at seventy-eight years. Unto their union were born eight children: Margaret, William D. and Mattie A., all of whom are deceased; J. S., who is living in New Market; Docia E., who is deceased; Christopher L., also a resident of New Market; Alice, now Mrs. Holiday; and one son who died in infancy.

         Mrs. Holiday is a graduate of Amity College of College Springs, Iowa. She taught for several years after the completion of her education, then pursued a course in the Homeopathic Medical College of Cleveland, Ohio, from which she was graduated. After finishing her professional studies Mrs. Holiday became a medical missionary and spent some time in Africa in this work. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Holiday have been born two daughters: Frances R., who was born on the 23d of September, 1895, and is now attending high school; and Vivian A., whose birth occurred on the 22d of August, 1899, and who is now an attendant of the grammar school.

         The religious connection of the family is with the Methodist Episcopal church, in the work of which organization both Mr. and Mrs. Holiday take an active and helpful part. They are both highly regarded in the town and always give their assistance in promoting every movement which will in any way tend to elevate the moral, intellectual or spiritual standard of the community.