Son of Richard Holliday and Nancy Anna McDonald. Married Nancy Porter Gillis on 13 JUL 1825 in Harrison County, Virginia (now West Virginia). Married Elizabeth J. Vandiver on 31 MAR 1836 in Shelby County, Missouri. Married Elizabeth H. Cresap Parsons on 29 AUG 1854 in Shelby County, Missouri.

Information on file with Shelby County Historical Society & Museum

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Birth: EITHER 1802 OR 1803 in Winchester, Frederick County, Virginia

Note: though he is a year older in the U.D.C. Confed. Vets. Recs., a year younger in the 1870 census and 3 years younger in the 1860 census

Census: 1830 Harrison County, Virginia (now West Virginia)

Immigration: ABT 1833 Missouri

Note: though Montana Progressive Men says 1834 and Montana: Land and People says 1836

Occupation: a member of the legislature 1836 Missouri

Census: ABT JUN 1840 Shelby County, Missouri
Census: 04 OCT 1850 Shelby County, Missouri

Note: the County Clerk

Census: 10 SEP 1860 Black Creek Twp., Shelby County, Missouri

Note: a farmer

Note: When war broke out his sympathies were strongly with the Union

Census: 08 JUL 1870 Black Creek Twp., Shelby County, Missouri

Note: the County Clerk

Death: 22 JAN 1880 in his farm, Shelbyville, Black Creek Twp., Shelby County, Missouri

Burial: Shelbyville I.O.O.F. (now Shelby Memorial) Cemetery, Shelbyville, Black Creek Twp., Shelby County, Missouri

Note: where the inscription was transcribed c.1965 as, "Holliday, William, died Jan. 22, 1880, soldier" 12 23
Event: Obituary ABT 1895 Shelby County, Missouri

Note:

About 15 years after his death, in an unknown newspaper:

The Late Judge Wm. J. Holliday.

William J. Holliday, who was the first surveyor of Shelby county, same from Winchester, Virginia, and settled in what is now Shelby county about the year 1832. He enjoys the distinction of being not only Shelby's first surveyor, but Shelby's first Representative as well, for he was elected to the Legislature, at the general election in 1836, the first election for Representative held in Shelby county after the county was organized. He was appointed County Judge in about 1889, and was afterwards elected to that position and held that office for about seven years. He was elected County Clerk in 1847 for a term of six years, (and was the first man to hold that office as a seperate[sic] office.) He was beaten for re-election by Thos. O. Eskridge in 1853.

He was appointed County Clerk in 1865, and was elected County Clerk at the general election in 1866 for a term of four years.

He probably held office longer, and held more offices than any man that ever held office in Shelby county. He died in Shelbyville about 15 years ago. He raised a large family, only three of whom are now living — Mrs. Mary Hornback of Clarence, and J. Mart Holliday and Mrs. Ellen M. Woodward of Meagher county, Montana.

His widow still lives in Shelbyville, now eighty-four years old. W. J. Holliday's father. Richard Holliday, and brother William, came from Ireland about 100 years ago, and settled in Winchester, Va., where they married and raised families. Richard Holliday's family came to Missouri and William's family remained at Winchester, Va., and his descendants are living there yet, as the attached letter will explain, which was written in answer to a letter from me.

"Commonwealth of Virginia, Governor's office, Richmond, June 25, 1878. Jas. M. Holliday, Esq. My Dear Sir — Yours received. I was born in Winchester, Va., and am the grandson of Wm. Holliday and son of Dr. R. J. McK. Holliday. My grandfather is long since dead. My father is still living, a very old man, nearly 80. I thank you for your very kind expressions of good will and approval of my public course.

Very truly yours, Fred W. M. Holliday."

As a lover of the old settlers of our county, and being always interested in what pertains to their history, I send you this letter.

J. M. Holliday, Leonard, Mo.

***All From Ancestry's RootsWeb