T. S. Holiday was born in Minnesota July 7, 1868, and lived in that state until he came to California in the fall of 1886. In Minnesota he engaged in farming after reaching an age to make himself useful in the world. On coming to California he came directly to Redlands. He attended Bellevue Academy for a time, and completed a course of study at the Woodbury Business College in Los Angeles. He then engaged in horticulture for a few years. October, 1895, Mr. Holiday opened a harness and saddle house at 107 and 107 ½ Orange street, in the Otis block. He was married at Redlands November 6, 1895, to Miss Lottie Preston, a native of Pennsylvania.
The merits of Mr. Holiday’s business establishment are summarized in the fact that he carries everything required by horsemen or horse owners in the way of harness, saddles, robes, blankets, whips and horse and carriage furniture of every description. Nearly everything in the way of harness and saddlery is manufactured on the premises, and of the very best stock, with the most careful and thorough workmanship that can be procured. Mr. Holiday has found that nothing is too good for his patrons, and he ransacks the markets of the East, buying in St. Paul, Boston, New York and others of the large cities, for the best and tastiest that can be procured. For quality and style there is no better stock of this line of goods in any city in Southern California, not excepting Los Angeles. There are doubtless larger stocks in that city and a certain proportion of high-priced goods not in general demand in Redlands, but in all grades for which there is an active sale Mr. Holiday keeps a most satisfactory assortment, and can make to order harness and saddles of any style and price desired. The constant increase in the volume of his business shows that the citizens of this city appreciate good values in this line.
(Source: Illustrated Redlands, 1897, p. 78)