My Genealogy Hound

ALEXANDER HALLIDAY. There is no finer farm in Lincoln Township than the “Cedar Bluff Fruit Farm,” which occupies a picturesque location on section 16, and is conceded to be one of the most highly-improved estates in Berrien County. Mr. Halliday, under whose personal supervision all the improvements have been made, is an enterprising business man, and through his judicious management and unwearied exertions he has attained to a measure of success not usually enjoyed. In 1890 he erected the commodious residence which now adorns the place, and from the upper stories may be obtained a beautiful view of Lake Michigan and the country for miles around.

From his Scotch ancestors Mr. Halliday has inherited the qualities of persistence and thrift characteristic of that people. He himself is a native of Scotland, having been born in Berwickshire, June 24, 1842, His paternal grandfather, Alexander Halliday, Sr., was a Scotchman and had a family of six children, two of whom were prominent clergymen in the church of England. The father of our subject, Andrew Halliday, was born in Berwickshire, Scotland, and grew to manhood in that country, where he married Miss Helen Redpath. He followed agricultural pursuits in his native land.

Emigrating to America in 1844, Mr. Halliday settled in Norfolk County (now Ontario), Canada, where he purchased a tract of land and engaged in farming pursuits until his death. His wife is still living on the old homestead in Norfolk County. He met with considerable success in his business ventures and acquired the ownership of hundreds of acres in Canada. In his religious views he accepted the doctrine of the Presbyterian Church, in which for many years he served as Deacon. He and his wife were the parents of eight children, all of whom reached manhood and womanhood, and seven are now living. The only member of the family, excepting our subject, who resides in the United States is Robert, of this county.

In Norfolk County, Canada, our subject grew to manhood and learned the trade of a millwright, at which he was employed until he left the province. At the age of twenty-two he went to Kankakee, Ill., where he followed his trade of millwright and was also engaged in carpenter work for eight years. While there, in 1869, he married Miss Maggie H., the daughter of Ephraim Doyle. Mrs. Halliday was born in Pennsylvania, and in her girlhood moved to Kankakee, where she held the position of teacher in the Presbyterian School. She was well educated in the seminary at Huntingdon, Pa., and engaged in the profession of a teacher for about fifteen years.

In 1870 Mr. Halliday came to Berrien County and located on section 16, Lincoln Township, where he bought twenty acres. He added to his property until he had acquired the ownership of seventy-five acres, and at the present time he and his wife have forty acres of well-improved land. Here he has planted fruit trees and engages in raising small fruits of the best varieties. While he has met with more than ordinary success, he has also met with reverses. In 1883 he was burned out by fire, losing his residence, and entailing a heavy loss. But he was undaunted by misfortune, and set himself to work at once to retrieve his fortunes. It was not long before he had replaced the building, with one more substantial and convenient, and his farm is one of the best in the township. Mr. and Mrs. Halliday have no children of their own, but have reared an adopted son, Charles, a promising young man of twenty-one years.

A man of note in the community, Mr. Halliday has served for six years as a member of the County Board of Supervisors and is the present (1893) incumbent of the office. For two years he filled the position of Tax Collector and he has also served as Treasurer of the township. In his political views he endorses the platform of the Democratic party and is one of its leaders in the locality. Socially, he is identified with the Masonic fraternity, chapter and council, and St. Joseph Lodge. Mr. Halliday is a thoroughly practical and experienced man, of superior business attainments, and by close attention to the details of his chosen occupation has secured justly-merited success.