William Parker Halliday | |
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| Born | July 21, 1827 Rutland, Ohio, US |
| Died | September 22, 1899 (aged 72) |
| Resting place | Beech Grove Cemetery, Mounds, Illinois |
| Occupation(s) | Steamboat Captain Banker Printer Hotel owner Railroad executive Businessman |
| Known for | River transportation business |
| Board member of | Halliday Brothers Co. City National Bank of Cairo Cairo City Coal Company Cairo Street Railway Company Cairo Telephone Company Cairo Gas Company Halliday Wharf Boat Company Cairo and St. Louis Railroad Cairo and Vincennes Railroad First Bank and Trust Company Halliday Hotel Muddy Valley Mining and Manufacturing Company |
| Spouse | Eliza Craig Wright |
| Children | 6 |
| Relatives | Charles T. Hinde (brother-in law) |
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William Parker Halliday (July 21, 1827 – September 22, 1899) was an American steamboat captain, banker, printer, hotel owner, vast landowner and businessman. Halliday began his professional career working on steamboats on the Mississippi and Ohio rivers and eventually became a captain of a steamboat based out of Louisville, Kentucky. A pioneer in the river and railroad transportation businesses, Halliday was responsible for the expansion of Cairo, Illinois, following the American Civil War.
Before the war, Halliday predicted that it would greatly impact river and railroad transportation and moved to Cairo, Illinois, a town at a critical position, at the confluence of the Ohio and Mississippi rivers. Soon after relocating, Halliday established many businesses that focused on river transportation and general merchandise. During the war, Halliday became good friends with General Ulysses S. Grant, and this relationship increased his personal fortune considerably through favorable military contracts.
After the Civil War, Halliday, his four brothers, and other family members rapidly expanded their business interests in the region. Halliday purchased real estate, businesses, hotels, mines, railroads, lumber yards, steamboats, and furniture companies, and took advantage of many other business opportunities. His business success led to the advancement of the region and specifically contributed to the development of Cairo, Illinois, and Hallidayboro, Illinois.