Biographies For Muscatine County Iowa 1889

Source: Portrait and Biographical Album, Muscatine County, Iowa, 1889, page 273
CHESTER LILLIBRIDGE, of the firm of Lillibridge & St. John, grocers, of Muscatine, was born in Muscatine County, on the 7th of October, 1844, and is a son of Amos and Amanda ( Beardsley ) Lillibridge. His father was a native of Rhode Island, and emigrated from that State to Muscatine County, in 1839. He was married in that county to Miss Amanda Beardsley, a daughter of Aaron Beardsley, who was born in Massachusetts. Four of their children are living at this writing; Caroline, who is the wife of Thomas Moore; Chester, the subject of this sketch; Emma L, who is the widow of James Mahin; Clara, who resides in California.

Amos Lillibridge was a farmer by occupation, and resided in the township of Bloomington, Muscatine County, until his death, which occurred in 1854. Politically, he was a Whig, and held various local official positions. Both he and his wife were consistent members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and were highly respected worthy people. Mrs. Lillibridge survived her husband, and soon after his death removed to Muscatine, where she died in April, 1882.

Chester Lillibridge was educated in the city schools, and was graduated from the Muscatine High School in the class of ' 60. He then engaged with J.A. Bishop as merchants' clerk, and shortly afterward was admitted to partnership with his employer. That connection continued until 1866, when Mr. Lillibridge retired, and formed a partnership with W. Beardsley in the grocery business. A year later he sold out and renewed his connection with Mr. Bishop in the same line, the partnership continuing until 1871, when he sold out, and in the fall of that year bought into the grocery business with James Jackson. That connection was continued until 1884, when he bought out Mr. Jackson's interest, and in September of that year sold an interest to James H. St. John, since which time the business has been conducted under the firm name of Lillibridge & St. John. These gentleman have a large and fully stocked store in their line of staple and and fancy groceries, fruits, flour and provisions, and are doing a business of upward of $35,000 annually, being recognized as the leading grocers of the city.

Mr. Lillibridge was married at Muscatine, Oct. 16, 1872, to Miss Mary C. Jackson, a native of Cincinnati, Ohio, and a daughter of James Jackson. Four children have been born of their union---Cora V., Ralph, Albert and Harvey. Mr. Lillibridge owns the store occupied by himself and partner, and one of the handsomest residences in the city, and is a proprietor of an 80-acre farm on Muscatine Island, in Louisa County. In politics he is a Republican, and has been School Director for five years. He is a member of Muscatine Lodge No. 99, A.O.U.W., and is classed as one of Muscatine's most enterprising and reliable business men.

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