John T. Liddle

LIDDLE, FOX, CARTER, MACDANEL, ROBETSON, ARNOTT

Posted By: Carrie Robertson (email)
Date: 10/30/2016 at 19:44:07

Monday July 5, 1909 Cedar Rapids Evening Gazette
JOHN T. LIDDLE HAS PASSED AWAY
DIED AT EXCELSIOR SPRINGS SATURDAY AFTERNOON
Funeral Will Be Held at First Presbyterian Church Thursday afternoon--Interment at Oak Hill--Brief Sketch of Busy and Useful Life Just Closed
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John T. Liddle, one of the best known and most respected citizens of Cedar Rapids, died at 2:45 Saturday afternoon at Excelsior Springs, Mo., where he had been for some weeks in the hope of benefitting [sic] his health. The body was brought here this morning by his wife, his sister, Miss Kate Liddle, and his brother-in-law, Chas. J. Fox, and the funeral will be held from the First Presbyterian church Thursday afternoon; interments at Oak Hill.
Mr. Liddle was born in Salem, Washington county, New York. He commenced his business career as a clerk in a general merchandise store at the age of 16 years, coming west in 1868 and locating at Marshalltown, where he engaged in the dry goods business.
Later he removed to Nevada, Story county, where he conducted a general merchandise store in 1873, when he came to Cedar Rapids, engaging the the same business with his brother, Stockwell Liddle, now of Walker until 1883, when he disposed of this establishement and engaged in the wholesale notion and furnishing goods line, under the firm style of Hull & Liddle. A short time later he organized, under the corporate name of Liddle & Carter, successor to Braun & Jones, a wholesale furnishing goods and manufacturing business, with which he was actively associated with until 1892, when on account of failing health, due to too close application to business, he gave up active commercial life and disposed of his interests to J.B. Carter and J.W. Macdanel. Later he was, however, actively identified with the re-establishment of this business under the name of Clark-Madanel company, one of the successful institutions of the city.
Upon the death of Mr. O.N. Hull, in 1889, Mr. Liddle was chosen as executor of the very large and extensive Hull estate, the settling of which to the satisfaction of a large number of heirs is accounted as Mr. Liddle's greatest business achievement. He was chosen by Mr. Hull before his death, because of their long personal acquaintance and his special qualifications, and the gigantic task, covering several years, was most adroitly and carefully performed. In fact, up to his death Mr. Liddle was the personal representative of Mrs. Robertson, formerly Mrs. Hull, and in several sections of the city, especially in what is familiarly known as "Time Check" he is honored and revered by the scores of people whom he enabled to secure and keep homes they might not otherwise have had. These interests, together with his own personal affairs, which were extensive, occupied about all of Mr. Liddle's time. In his absence his interests were looked after by Mr. George M. Safford, who was the first man employed by Mr. Liddle in Cedar Rapids, and who has been associated with him closely ever since.
Deceased is survived by his wife, Miss Maud Liddle, who has been with them as a daughter since her childhood, on brother, Stockwell Liddle of Walkre [sic], Iowa, and three sisters, Mrs. Chas. J. Fox of this city, Mrs. Harriett Arnott of Salem, N.Y., and Miss Kate Liddle of Munich, Germany, who accompanied him to the springs and was with him at the time of his death.
Mr. Liddle was a member of Crescent lodge No. 25, A.F. & A.M. and this organization will probably have some part in the funeral services, which will be public. A special invitation is extended to those with whom Mr. Liddle has maintained such pleasant business relations for many years.
John. T. Liddle was one of God's noblemen. Unostentatious [sic], he was liberal and charitable to a degree, and in scores of homes in Cedar Rapids his death comes as a personal loss. He devoted considerable of his time, especially in the winter months, to travel, and was a most delightful companion and conversationalist. His death was not unexpected to his family and friends, as he had been failing gradually for some months, and last week his condition became serious, when Mrs. Liddle and Mr. Fox were called to his bedside.
More extended mention of the funeral arrangements will be made tomorrow.