William Henry Halladay was born June 22, 1857 in Pennsylvania to Joseph G. Halladay and Mary Martha Strong.
He first came to Bemidji in 1893 or 1894 and filed on a homestead, building his claim shanty on the ground which is now contained in the Bemidji Teachers College campus. A year later, Mr. Halladay sold his homestead rights and returned to Fosston because of the illness of a son. He returned to Bemidji in 1898 and remained in Bemidji until 1927 when he moved to Oregon. Although a carpenter and wagon maker by trade, Mr. Halladay had some ability as a violinist and played for the first Fourth of July dance ever held in Bemidji at Carson’s trading post. (Northland Times, Apr 24, 1936)
William and his wife Hattie and three children at Fosston in 1895. Occupation: Carpenter
1900 Census: William H. Halladay, age 43. Resident of Bemidji. Married in 1880 to Hattie Halladay. Children: Lily, Ellen, and James, age 12. He owned his own home, free of mortgage. Carpenter.
Housed Smallpox Patients:— The city health authorities and the family of W. H. Halladay clashed yesterday over a point of law in connection with the care of contagious diseases. Two cases of smallpox were developed in the Halladay family and both were allowed to remain in the tent in the yard. The matter was reported to the health authorities, with the result that the patients and the entire family were compelled to take to the house under strict quarantine regulations. July 8, 1904.
Martin Everson and Miss Lillie Halladay were the principals in a very pretty wedding Tuesday at the home of the bride’s parents on Irving avenue. Rev. Thomas Broomfield performed the ceremony. (July 5, 1906)
Wm Halladay was a Justice for Northern Township in 1906 along with M. D. Titus.
James Halladay was a member of Company K in 1908.
Rev. H. R. McKee, pastor of the Baptist church ot this city, officiated at the marriage yesterday noon, of Theodore Lee and Miss Ellen Hallady. The ceremony was performed at the home of the bride’s parents, six miles north of Bemidji, and an elegant dinner was served in the open air, there being about thirty guests present. Mr. and Mrs. Halladay left today for their future home at Benson, Minn. (June 23, 1909)
Mrs. Mary Halladay of Hewitt, Minnesota, is the guest of her son, William Halladay and family of this city. She expects to remain a month. (Feb. 24, 1914)
Leslie Halladay married Lizzie Larson on Oct 5, 1914 in Beltrami County, Mn.
Mrs. William Halladay of Ranier, Minn., arrived in the city Thursday evening to make an extended visit with her daughter, Mrs. Martin Everson. (Aug 28, 1920)
William H. Halladay died on March 23, 1936 at his home in Oregon. Burial in Oregon, along with wife, and son James and his wife Dorothy.