W. H. Lillibridge

LILLIBRIDGE, EVANS, MINKLER, RUSSELL, LINKER

Posted By: Tammy (email)
Date: 11/12/2011 at 19:20:14

W. H. LILLIBRIDGE, a retired farmer living in Grundy Centre, is widely known in this community, and being numbered among the best citizens, is deserving of representation in the history of his adopted county. He was born in Trumbull County, Ohio, December 9, 1835. His father, John Lillibridge, was a native of Rhode Island, and on leaving that state removed to Erie County, Pa., where he grew to manhood. He then went to the Buckeye State, and was numbered among the early settlers of Trumbull County, where he purchased land at $3 per acre and began the development of a farm. In the midst of the forest he made a home and experienced all the hardships and trials of frontier life. He married Sophia Evans, a native of Vermont, and they began their domestic life in Trumbull County, where the lady’s death occurred. The father of our subject afterward came to Grundy County, Iowa, and here spent his last days, passing away in 1884. Of their family of eight children, only four reached adult age, while but two are now living.

Under the parental roof in the county of his nativity, W. H. Lillibridge spent his boyhood days, continuing at home until twenty years of age, when he emigrated to Delaware County, Iowa. A year later he went to the pineries of Minnesota, where he was employed for a time. He also worked as a raftsman and as second pilot on the river, spending about four years in that way.

On the 27th of November, 1859, Mr. Lillibridge wedded Mary, daughter of Russell Minkler, a native of Vermont. Her father removed to Lake County, Ohio, where he followed farming until his emigration to Delaware County, Iowa, in 1852. There he continued to make his home until called to his final rest in August, 1889. He was one of the early settlers of that county, and was a prominent and influential citizen. His wife bore the maiden name of Mary Russell, and unto them were born ten children, six of whom are still living. Our subject and his wife had a family of eight children, six of whom yet survive, as follows: Henry A., a farmer, dairyman and stock-raiser, who owns and operates three hundred and twenty acres of land in Kossuth County, Iowa; Emma Laura, wife of C. C. Linker, also a farmer of Kossuth County; E. A., who has a farm of two hundred acres on section 15, Palermo Township; John W., who carries on agricultural pursuits in Palermo Township; Charles R., a farmer of the same community, and Nellie, who completes the family. They lost one child in infancy, and Cora Amanda died at the age of twenty-six years.

After his marriage, Mr. Lillibridge operated a rented farm in Carroll County, Ill., for ten years. In the spring of 1872, he made a permanent location in Grundy County. He had previously visited this county and purchased one hundred and sixty acres of land on section 22, Palermo Township. He afterward bought a like amount on section 15, so that he now has three hundred and twenty acres here. He has transformed it into a fine farm, and continued its cultivation until the spring of 1892, when, having erected a commodious residence in Grundy Centre, he took up his abode here and has since been numbered among its leading citizens. He also owns three hundred and twenty acres of land in Kossuth County. Through his own unaided efforts he has achieved prosperity and gained the handsome competence which enables him to live retired in the enjoyment of a well earned rest.

Mr. Lillibridge takes an active interest in politics, and is stalwart advocate of the Democracy. He voted that ticket when there were only seven Democrats in the township. He has been a delegate to the county conventions, and was School Director for a number of years. He is a leading member of the Masonic fraternity, has taken the Royal Arch degree, and has filled most of the offices in the blue lodge and chapter. Straightforward and honorable in all business dealings, he has gained the confidence and high regard of those with whom he has been brought in contact, and has won many warm friends.

Source:
Portrait and Biographical Record
of Jasper, Marshall and Grundy Counties, Iowa
1894

Grundy Biographies maintained by Tammy D. Mount.
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