cyrus kurtz holliday (april 3, 1826 – march 29, 1900) was a prominent kansas businessman who was part of the free-state movement during the period called bleeding kansas. holliday was one of the founders of the city of topeka, kansas and was its first president. he was also the founder of the atchison, topeka and santa fe railway. he served in the kansas senate. holliday was president of the merchants national bank and also the excelsior coke and gas company, both of topeka. in 1890, he was the president of the kansas state historical society. in 2012, holliday was inducted into the kansas state hall of fame.