My Genealogy Hound

WILLIAM H. LIDDLE, who conducts a real-estate, insurance, loan and collection agency at Holden, was born in Lee County, Iowa, November 19, 1837, and is a son of William and Mary Ann (Shephard) Liddle, both of whom were natives of England, the former coming with his parents from that country when five or six years of age. The family first located in Virginia, and from there removed to Dearborn County, Ind., where our subject’s grandparents spent their remaining days upon a farm. His father grew to manhood and was married in Dearborn County, whence he removed to Iowa. On his going to the latter state he was accompanied by his wife’s parents, who also located in Lee County. On his arrival he engaged in farming, and in due course of time was fairly prosperous. He died in November, 1887, at the age of seventy-five, having been born in May, 1812. His wife, the mother of our subject, as has been stated, was also a native of England, and was but a few months old when her parents crossed the ocean. She died in Iowa at about the age of forty-five.

The boyhood days of our subject were spent upon the farm in Iowa, where he received a fair chance of obtaining an education for that day. As a boy he worked in a nursery for some years, and so learned the business. In 1860, in partnership with his uncle, George H. Shephard, he put in a nursery stock at Smithton, Pettis County, Mo., where they continued until 1868, when, in company with his brother, he engaged in the same business at Holden. This he continued until 1875, when he sold out to his brother. He then invested in the hardware business in this city, in partnership with Daniel Stearns. This connection continued until 1887, when it was dissolved, and a new partnership was formed with J. M. Walker. This last continued until about 1890. He is now interested in a hardware store in Osawatomie, Kan.

Mr. Liddle has been twice married, his first marriage taking place in 1868, Miss Mary A. McCormick being the lady of his choice. She died in 1883, leaving no children. In February, 1884, he was again married. Miss Mary C. Hank, a native of Ohio, becoming his bride. They have one child, William Hank, born in Holden, July 17, 1887.

Politically Mr. Liddle is a Republican, and cast his first Presidential ballot in 1860 for Abraham Lincoln. He has been honored by his fellow-citizens with several local offices, serving as Collector of Madison Township in the years 1869 to 1872, inclusive, and also in 1874. During the first year he had to give a bond for $100,000. He has also served as a member of the School Board for three years, and has taken great interest in educational matters. Starting in life without any funds, and with only a horse given him by his father on leaving home, he has made his own way in the world, and though having lost considerable through others, he is now in comfortable circumstances, owning considerable property both in Holden, Mo., and Osawatomie, Kan. For a number of years he served as a Director in the Bank of Holden, in which at one time he owned quite a little stock. He is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, has filled all the chairs in the subordinate lodge, gone through the encampment, is a Patriarch Militant, and has served as Major in the latter body, and is now Captain of Holden P. M. No. 10. He has represented the order in the Grand Lodge, both for the subordinate lodge and encampment. A member of the Knights of Pythias, he has served in all the chairs of that body, and has also been a member of its Grand Lodge. He holds membership with the Ancient Order of United Workmen, has held all the offices in the lower order, and has acted as delegate to the Grand Lodge, and belongs to the Select Knights of that body. The Maccabees also claim him as a member, and he is now serving his second year as Record Keeper. Together with his wife, he belongs to the Knights and Ladies of the Fireside. Mrs. Liddle is a lady of fine education, having attended the Normal University at Warrensburg, Mo., and having taught in the public schools for a number of years in both Johnson and Bates Counties. Both our subject and his wife are highly respected, and are numbered among the best citizens of Holden.