Our Folk Website
Lidster Family Genealogy Our Folk Home Page - Index of Names and Surnames- Additional Resource Materials

Details for Lidster Family

See Descendency Chart for direct line to the Hart Family

Ancestry.com users - See Lidster Family Tree for individual charts.

1.

Ralph Lidster - was born on 16 May 1831 in Durham, Durham, England and died in 1922 in Beloit, WI . Ralph married Elizabeth Curtis Golding on 15 Feb 1855 in Milwaukee, WI. Elizabeth was born in 1837/1838 in England. Ralph - note from Douglas M. Lidster   My own research indicates that the surname Lidster evolved from Litster, which is a trade name. A "litster" is a dyer of fabrics. The term can be found in older dictionaries. Litster, in turn, traces its roots to Old Norse "litr" which, if memory serves me correctly, also refers to a dyer of fabrics. My own great-great grandfather, Ralph Lidster, came to America from Durham in 1848. I'm having difficulty tracing ancestors preceding him. I'd appreciate information from anyone reading this note. My wife and I plan a trip to England next year to visit the places from which our ancestors came. I would very much enjoy meeting very long-lost relatives.   Was living with his son in Beloit in 1905 1905 - Wisconsin State Census Name Relation age Born in Parents Born Occupation   Geo M. Lidster Head 45 Ill Eng Mach   Virgnia T Lidster Wife 47 Ill Ohio B. Keeper   Henry A. Lidster Son 19 Ill       Ralph E. Lidster Father 73 Eng       Beloit News August 25 1921   Atmosphere of Pioneer Days is Resurrected at Old Settler's Picnic.   About 5,000, it was estimated. attended the picnic. Ralph Lidster, with four generations of his family gathered about him, responded to the music of the fif and drum, his eyes sparkling in a way that would have done credit to a man thirty years his junior. Lidster is 90 years and three months old, and has lived in Beloit for sixty-eight years.   The oldest settler in age was Mrs. M. J. Cowen of Chicago, formerly of Beloit. Mrs. Cowen is 94 years old. Her sister, Mrs Loveley King, 81 years old was also present. The oldest male settler present was Ralph Lidster. Beloit newspaper clipping of 1922.   Ralph Lidster, until his death in Beloit in 1922 at the age of 91 years, was an early resident here, arriving in 1853. He was a native of England having been born in Durham (in northern England) May 16, 1831. His wife was formerly Miss Elizabeth Golding of Milwaukee.   Mr. Lidster was a shoemaker by trade, working at first for Joseph Hoskins, an early Beloit cobbler. Later the Lidsters moved to Caledonia, Illinois, where they lived for 25 years. Following a trip West to Nevada they returned to Beloit in 1880 where Mr. Lidster bought 160 acres of land in the vicinity of what is now Portland Avenue and Hackett Streets. The large house which he erected stood for many years at the head of Portland Avenue on the west side of Hackett Street.   The Lidster farm was a busy place for number of years. It was in one of the fields that Appleby first tried out the grain binder which was soon to bring fame to its inventor and work a revolutionary change in the laborious routine of the harvest. After he had sold the land, Mr. Lidster used to recall with a shake of his head how much better it would have been to have retained ownership until it became a populous residence. Later the Lidster house was moved some distance north on Hackett where it still stands.   Mr. Lidster is survived by his two sons and a daughter: George of Buffalo, N.Y., Ralph of Chicago, Ill., and Mrs. Vernie Compton of Chicago.   Before his retirement the elder Mr. Lidster was for some time engaged in the farm equipment business here. From The Portrait and Biographical Album of Rock County, Wis., publ, 1889 - page 310   LIEUT. SAMUEL W. BARR, a member of LIDSTER & BARR,, dealers in agricultural implements at Beloit, Wis.,   After returning home, Lieut. BARR was again engaged in the plow-shops for a short time, when he purchased a farm and followed agricultural pursuits until 1886, when in company with Mr. LIDSTER he established the firm of LIDSTER & BARR. They carry a full line of agricultural implements, and by fair dealing and an earnest desire to please their customers have built up a good trade.   He was also a wagon train scout - making the trip from Beloit to Nevada and back. Census: 1860 Caledonia, Boone County, Ill, page 588 name age occupation born in Ralph Litster 28 Laborer England Elizabeth Litster 20   England Lovina Litster 4   Ill Merry Litster 2   Ill George Litster 4/12   Ill Census: 1870 Caladonia, Boone Co., Illinois pg 211-212 Ralph Lidster 39 Showmaker England Elizabeth Lidster 35 Keeping House England W. Lovina Lidster 14 Goes to School Ill James N. Lidster 12 Goes to School Ill Leo N. Lidster 10 Goes to School Ill Ralph E. Lidster 8 Goes to School Ill Wm M Lidster 6 Goes to School Ill E. E. V Lidster 6 at home Ill Wm. McKlage 40 Shoemaker Scotland 1880 Census Beloit, Wisc. name relation age born in occupation father born mother born   Ralph Lidster self 45 ENG Farmer ENG ENG   Elizabeth C. Lidster wife 42 ENG   ENG ENG   George M. Lidster son 20 IL         Ralph E. Lidster son 18 IL         Vernia Lidster dau 14 IL         Lorenzo N. Lidster son 8 IL           In 1891 listed as retired in the Beloit City Directory.   In 1900 census, lived with his son George Census: 1900 Beloit, Rock Co., Wisconsin name relation born age born in father born mother born occupation   George M. Lidster head Mar 1860 40 m-18 Illinois England England Machinist Virginia T. Lidster wife July 1857 42 m-18 Illinois Ohio Ohio   Ralph H. Lidster son Jan 1883 17 S Wisconsin Illinois Illinois At School Henry A. Lidster son Mar 1885 15 S Wisconsin Illinois Illinois Shoe Factory Ralph Lidster father Mar 1832 68 Wd England England England retires Shoe Maker Beloit City Government report   The following report was received from the Board of Public Works and referred to the Health and Sewerage committee:   To the Honorable the Mayor and Common Council: Gentlemen: Your Board of Public Works would report that two bids were received for constructing sanitary sewer in Rouse street.   The amounts of the several bids are as follows:   Owen BARKER $227.80   Ralph LIDSTER 236.60   Respectfully submitted Board of Public Works, By Geo. B. INGERSOLL, Clerk.   December 22. - Special Meeting. - Council Chambers. Beloit, Wis., Dec. 22, 1900.   In the 1920 Census, Ralph Lidster was a boarder at 115 Liberty Avenue, in Beloit, with Frank and Sarah Hilb (sp?). (Sources: - 1 (years: 1891, 1916, 1917) ) Children: (Quick Family Chart) i.  George M Lidster was born in 1859/1860 in Illinois. See #2. below. ii.  Ralph Eustis Lidster was born on 24 Mar 1861 in New Caledonia, WI and died on 18 Nov 1934 in Chicago, IL and was buried in Graceland Cemetery, Chicago, IL . See #3. below. iii.  Vernia E. Lidster was born Dec 1865 in Boone, IL and died on 21 Apr 1942 in No Tonawanda, Niagara, NY . See #4. below. iv.  Lorenzo N Lidster was born on 31 Jul 1872 in Illinois and died on 24 Feb 1940 in Los Angeles, CA . Lorenzo - lived alone in Los Angeles at the time of the 1920 Census.   Lorenzo's mother's maiden name was listed as Wigmore on his California Death record.

Ralph Lidster (1831-1922) (Click here to view full size image.)

----- Second Generation -----

2.

George M Lidster - was born in 1859/1860 in Illinois. He is the son of Ralph Lidster and Elizabeth Curtis Golding. George married Virginia Townsend Howe. Virginia was born in 1846/1847 in Illinois. She is the daughter of George Howe and Margaret Van Matre. (Sources: - 2) George - was a bartender in Beloit in 1890. Was a machinist at F. M. Mfg Co. in Beloit from 1906 to 1915, residing at 800 Elm St. (Beloit City Directory) Census: 1910 800 Elm St, Beloit, Rock Co, Wisc. name relation age mar. status born in father born mother born occupation George M. Lidster head 50 md - 28 years Illinois England England Machinist - Gas Engine VIrginia Lidster wife 53 md - 28 years Illinois Ohio Ohio     In 1930 was living in Niagra, NY with his sister: Census: 1920 Niagra, NY name relation mar. status born in father born mother born occupation   E Verna Compton head 64 Wd Illinois England England none George Lidster brother 70 wd Illinois England England Cement Const. Roderick Scott stepson s 40 New York England Scotland Laborer - Iron Works (Sources: - 1 (Years: 1890,1891,1904,1906,1915) ) Children: (Quick Family Chart) i.  Ralph H Lidster was born Jan 1883 in Wisconsin. ii.  Henry A Lidster was born Mar 1885 in Wisconsin. Henry - was working in a shoe factory in 1900 in Beloit.

3.

Ralph Eustis Lidster - was born on 24 Mar 1861 in New Caledonia, WI and died on 18 Nov 1934 in Chicago, IL and was buried in Graceland Cemetery, Chicago, IL . He was the son of Ralph Lidster and Elizabeth Curtis Golding. Ralph married Virginia Eaton. Virginia was born in 1860 in Illinois. She was the daughter of William T. Eaton and Angeline Chapman. She died in 1928 and was buried in Graceland Cemetery, Chicago, IL . Virginia - occupation: Music Teacher - Ralph - Ralph Eustis was the youngest of many children and was the only one to finish high school.   His father gave Ralph a one-way ticket to Chicago and $2.00 at age 17.   Listed as a Shoemaker in Caledonia, Ill. in 1877   Pearls (Click image to view full size)   Listed in The Chicago blue book 1905 at 321 West Sixty-First Street: Mr. and Mrs. Ralph E. Lidster. Listed in The Chicago blue book 1912 at 217 West Sixty-First Street: Mr. and Mrs. Ralph E. Lidster.   Was manager of London Insurance Agency - 33 degree Mason - Potentate of Medinah Temple in Chicago in 1921.   Met and later married Virginia Eaton who was the daughter of the boarding house owner where he stayed in Chicago.   Death Notice (Sources: - 3) Children: (Quick Family Chart) i.  Ralph Eaton Lidster was born on 7 Apr 1888 in Chicago, IL and died on 10 Dec 1946 in Between Chicago and Nashville, TN and was buried in Cremated in Ashes spread in backyard of home at 9221 S. Damen Ave., Chicago, IL. See #5. below. ii.  Homer E. Lidster was born in 1893/1894 in Illinois and died on 20 May 1962 in Tampa, Fl . Homer married Clara M / Figenbaum Figenbaum. Clara was born on 1 Jun 1893 in Oklahoma Territory. She was the daughter of George Adolph Figenbaum and Anna Birdsall Bradrick. She died Jan 1973 in Peoria, Ill . Clara - Chicago Daily Tribune - 29 May 1917   Mrs. G. A. Fiegenbaum of 6033 Ellis avenue announces the engagement of her daughter, Clara M. to Homer E. Lidster of Hobart, Ind. Mrs. Lidster   Mrs. Clara Lidster, 79, a resident of Proctor Endowment Home since Aug 4, 1966, died there at 10:20 p.m. Wednesday.   She willed her body to Northwestern University Medical School.   Mrs. Lidster, a former resident of 1301 NE Glendale was once manager of Glen Oaks Towers.   She was bon in Oklahama Territory June 1, 1893, a daughter of Dr. and Mrs. George A. Fiegenbaum. She married Homer E. Lidster in Chicago June 4, 1917, and he died in Tampa Fla., May 20, 1962.   Surviving are three daughters, Mrs. Virginia Breckenridge of Peoria; Mrs. Ruth Willits of Davenport, Iowa; Mrs. Barbara jackson of Chicago. one sister, Mrs. Helen Satwell of Omaha Ne.; five grandchildren and three great-granndchildren. (Sources: - 4) Homer - 1920 Census Porter, Indiana name rel age born in father born mother born occupation Homer E. Lidster head 27 Ill Wisc Ill Farmer Clara M. Lidster wife 26 Ok Mo Iowa   Mary U. Lidster dau 1 1/2 Ind Ill Ok   Fistus Vernon boarder 15 In In In Farmer Census: 1930 Berwin, Cook Co., Illinois name rel age born in father born mother born occupation Homer E. Lidster head 37 Illinois US US Office Clerk - General Office Clara Lidster wife 36 Oklahoma'US Ohio none   Mary Lidster daughter 11 Indiana Illinois Oklahoma   Ruth Lidtster daughter 8 Indiana Illinois Oklahoma   Barbara Lidster daughter 1 1/12 Illinois Illinois Oklahoma

Ralph Eustis Lidster (1861-1934) (Click here to view full size image.)

4.

Vernia E. Lidster - was born Dec 1865 in Boone, IL and died on 21 Apr 1942 in No Tonawanda, Niagara, NY . She was the daughter of Ralph Lidster and Elizabeth Curtis Golding. Vernia married Norman H. Compton on 31 May 1883 in No Tonawanda, Niagara, NY. Vernia - 1920 Census - Buffalo, N.Y. name rel age born in father born mother born occupation Ella V. Compton head 54 Illinois England England   Norma Compton daughter 30 New York Pennsylvania Illinois   Census: 1920 Niagra, NY name relation mar. status born in father born mother born occupation   E Verna Compton head 64 Wd Illinois England England none George Lidster brother 70 wd Illinois England England Cement Const. Roderick Scott stepson s 40 New York England Scotland Laborer - Iron Works (Sources: - 5) Children: i.  Elizabeth Curtis Compton was born on 31 Dec 1885 in Monroe, NY and died on 12 Dec 1970 in No Tonawanda, Niagara, NY . Elizabeth - married Fred Charles Grapes. ii.  Venz Ilna Compton was born on 27 Nov 1887 in Monroe, NY. Venz - married Sidney Mayer. iii.  Norma Irene Compton was born on 14 Aug 1889 in Monroe, NY. Norma - living with her mother in Buffalo, N.Y in 1920 (Census).   Married Frank Christ.

----- Third Generation -----

5.

Ralph Eaton Lidster - was born on 7 Apr 1888 in Chicago, IL and died on 10 Dec 1946 in Between Chicago and Nashville, TN and was buried in Cremated in Ashes spread in backyard of home at 9221 S. Damen Ave., Chicago, IL. He was the son of Ralph Eustis Lidster and Virginia Eaton. Ralph married Edith Michel "Nonnie" Young on 23 Sep 1912 in Chicago, IL. Edith was born on 6 Aug 1889 in Chicago, IL. She was the daughter of John McDowell Young and Flora Michel. She died on 5 Jul 1978 in Whittier, CA and was buried in Cremated in Ashes spread over Pacific Ocean. Edith -   Wedding Report Sep 27, 1912   Edith was a devout Christian Scientist. Edith did much with Jean's grandchildren, taking them to many places in Chicago such as museums, conservatories and her beloved Union League Club.   lived at 1812 W. 104th St. in South Chicago, in the 1970, near the Rock Island railroad tracks.   She died of heart failure after experiencing years of declining mental activity, most likely Alzheimher's disease which was not an identifiable disaease at that time. Ralph - Ralph Eaton Lidster was a corporate executive in the leather industry, having worked his way up from stock-boy. Worked as a salesman for the American Oak Leather Co. in Chicago in 1917.   WWI Draft Registration Card (Click image to view full size)   Lived at 321 West 61st Street in Chicago in 1906 (Chicago Blue Book)   He was a 32 degree Mason. He was Illustrious Potentate of Medinah Temple Ancient Arabic Order, Nobles of the Mystic Shrine Desert of Illinois, Oasis of Chicago in 1921.   He died on a train to Nashville, TN while travelling with his son, Ralph Eaton Lidster, Jr. Census: 1920 Chicago, Illinois - 442 Normal Parkway name relation age born in father-born mother-born occupation Ralph E. Lidster Head 31 Illinois Wisconsin Illinois Salesman - Leather Co. Edith Y. Lidster wife 30         Ralph Lidster Jr son 5 6/12         Alan Lidster son 2 9/12         Flora M Young Mother-in-law 52 Iowa Germany Germany   Census: 1930 Chicago, Illinois - 442 Normal Parkway name relation age born in father born mother born occupation Ralph E. Lidster head 42 Illinois Illinois Illinois Pres + Salesman - Cut Leather Edith Y. Lidster wife 40 Illinois Scotland Iowa   Ralph E. Lidster son 15 Illinois Illinois Illinois   Alan Y. Lidster son 7 Illinois Illinois Illinois   Jean Y. Lidster dau 7 Illinois Illinois Illinois   Eussine Smith maid 32 Illinois Virginia Illinois   Children: (Quick Family Chart) i.  Jean Young Lidster was born on 7 Aug 1922 in Chicago, IL. Jean married Norwood Albert Hart on 21 Apr 1945. Norwood was born on 29 Jul 1920 in Peoria, Ill. He was the son of Albert Thomas Hart and Norma Elizabeth Douglass. He died on 27 Feb 2006 in Boca Raton, Fl . Jean - Jean Young Lidster attended Denison and Northwestern Universities before running into an old boy- friend from Morgan Park High School, Nord Hart, on a train to work. They began dating again and were soon married. She accompanied him to his last few military posts, before returning to Chicago when she was pregnant.   Wedding Announcment (Click image to view full size)   Jean was a pianist and organist who taught many years and played in a band with Nord. She was very active in the Beverly Hills University Club which sponsored scholarships to deserving high school graduates. The club's main fund-raiser was a yearly play (mostly musicals) in which she and Nord participated heavily each year as musicians, singers, dancers, or actors. They even served a term as presidents of the club. Through their affiliation with the club and their band, they led a very active social life and made many life-long friends. See Hart family for children. ii.  Ralph Eaton Lidster Jr. was born on 18 Jun 1914 in Chicago, IL and died on 11 Nov 2006 in Flagstaff, Arizona . See #6. below. iii.  Alan Young Lidster was born on 25 Mar 1917 in Chicago, IL and died on 9 Nov 1963 in Glen Ellen, Ill . See #7. below.

Ralph Eaton Lidster (1888-1946) (Click here to view full size image.) Edith Michel Young (1889-1978) (Click here to view full size image.)

----- Fourth Generation -----

6.

Ralph Eaton Lidster Jr. - was born on 18 Jun 1914 in Chicago, IL and died on 11 Nov 2006 in Flagstaff, Arizona . He was the son of Ralph Eaton Lidster and Edith Michel "Nonnie" Young. Ralph married Elizabeth "Betty" Scribner. She is the daughter of Sarah Magee. Ralph - Wedding Report U.S. World War II Army Enlistment Records about Ralph E Lidster Name: Ralph E Lidster Birth Year: 1914 Race: White, citizen (White) Nativity State or Country: Illinois State: Illinois County or City: Cook Enlistment Date: 2 Apr 1941 Enlistment State: Illinois Enlistment City: Chicago Branch: Branch Immaterial - Warrant Officers, USA Branch Code: Branch Immaterial - Warrant Officers, USA Grade Code: Private Component: Selectees (Enlisted Men) Source: Civil Life Education: 4 years of college Civil Occupation: Railway Signal Operator Marital Status: Single, without dependents Height: 68 Weight: 148 LIDSTER   Ralph Eaton Lidster, died November 11, 2006 in Flagstaff, Arizona at age 92. He was born in Chicago, IL on June 18, 1914 to Ralph and Edith Lidster and graduated in 1936 from Denison University in Granville Ohio. Ralph served 4 years with the U.S. Army during World War II, ending up in Belgium as a 1st Lt. with Patton's Third Army. He received the Purple Heart. Ralph is survived by his wife Betty, of 63 years, two sons, Ralph Jr. and Roderick, a granddaughter, Allison, 2 grandsons, Scott and Max and a sister, Jean Hart of Boca Raton, FL. Ralph was a past president of East Whittier Rotary Club and a 23 year member of the Laguna Niguel Rotary. He was a retired stock broker, loved golf, Rotary, history, America, and his family. Services will be private. Published in the Whittier Daily News (CA.) on 11/17/2006. Children: (Quick Family Chart) i.  Ralph Eaton Lidster III was born on 2 Jan 1945 in Los Angeles, Ca.. ii.  Roderick Lidster See #8. below.

7.

Alan Young Lidster - was born on 25 Mar 1917 in Chicago, IL and died on 9 Nov 1963 in Glen Ellen, Ill . He was the son of Ralph Eaton Lidster and Edith Michel "Nonnie" Young. Alan married Majorie McNeill. Majorie - Wedding Announcmenet Children: (Quick Family Chart) i.  Doug Lidster ii.  Mary Ann Lidster iii.  Natalie Lidster

Majorie Ann McNeill Wedding Announcment (Click here to view full size image.)

----- Fifth Generation -----

8.	Roderick Lidster - He is the son of Ralph Eaton Lidster Jr. and Elizabeth "Betty" Scribner. Children: (Quick Family Chart) i.  Scott Alan Lidster

Sources:

1 Beloit City Directory (view detail...)

2 Ancestors of Joan Hersey and Robert Olsson Joan Olsson Web: http://awt.ancestry.com/cgi-bin/igm.cgi?op=GET&db=joanbob&id=I02008

3 The Chicago blue book of selected names of Chicago and suburban towns 1905, 1912 (view detail...)

4 Social Security Death Index

5 Family Data Collection - Individual Records Ancestry.com Web: http://search.ancestry.com

Last change (on this page): Sunday, January 13, 2008 The Our Folk Genealogy Pages were compiled by Albert Douglass Hart, Jr. based on the original "Our Folk" compiled by Albert Thomas Hart in 1972 with help from Albert Douglass Hart Sr, Cara Hart and lots of other family members. To report errors or omissions, request information or share sources or photos, Please send email to Albert Douglass Hart, Jr.