My Genealogy Hound

TIMOTHY LIDDY was born in County Limerick, Ireland, in 1809, and on emigrating to America located in St. Louis, where he was engaged in contracting and in grading streets. In the winter of 1843-44, he came to Randolph County, bringing with him his wife and one child, and locating upon a farm of one hundred and sixty acres, which he had purchased in 1842. In 1844 the country was almost flooded, the water reaching the highest mark ever known in this community.

In 1842, Mr. Liddy was joined in wedlock with Margaret McKenna, a native of Dublin, Ireland, who came to America in 1834 with her mother and brothers. One son, James, was born unto them ere they left St. Louis, and on their farm upon the prairie the family circle was increased by the birth of five children: Lizzie, who died at the age of three years; Margaret; Katie, wife of John Wall, of Waterloo, now deceased; John, deceased, and Daniel.

At the time of his death, Mr. Liddy owned over eight hundred acres of valuable land, the greater part of which was situated in one body, and all of which had been accumulated through his own efforts; his industry, economy and good management being the factors that won him his well merited success. He owned besides this a third interest in nine hundred acres in the Mississippi Valley, near old Ft. Charter, all of which is now owned by his son, Daniel. In 1865, Mr. Liddy was stricken with paralysis, and from this affliction died in 1872. He retained his faculties up to the very last and transacted his own business. His wife survived him about four years. They were worthy people, and their many excellencies of character gained them high regard.

John Liddy, the second son, resided on the old homestead with his brother, Daniel, and they were equal partners in the business until the death of the former. He died from sunstroke in August, 1888. James, the eldest, disposed of his business interests in Randolph County, and is now a resident of Perryville, Mo.

Daniel Liddy was born in Randolph County in 1853, and received a common-school and academic education. On the death of the father, the two brothers succeeded to the business, and since the death of John, Daniel has carried on the business alone. He has sold none of the property, but has managed it all, and in his careful supervision has displayed excellent business and executive ability. His sister yet owns an interest in the property. In the nine hundred acres, of which the father owned a third interest, the other owners were John and Daniel, and the property is now in the possession of the latter. On this farm stands a small village, which was established by Mr. Liddy. Altogether he and his sister own about twelve hundred acres of fine land, which he manages and superintends personally. They reside on the old homestead in the house erected by their father before his death.

In their political views the members of the family are Democrats, but before the war, Mr. Liddy, Sr., was a strong opponent of slavery. He and his wife were conscientious Catholics, and reared their children in that faith. The name of Liddy is inseparably connected with the agricultural interests of this community, and in Daniel Liddy the family has a worthy representative.