JOSHUA & JAMES PARKER LIDDLE BIOGRAPHY, MIDDLESEX COUNTY, NEW JERSEY Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by Michelle L. Chubenko Copyright. All Rights Reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/nj/njfiles.htm ********************************************************* Biographies: *Joshua LIDDLE *James Parker LIDDLE The following is taken from "History of Middlesex County New Jersey 1664-1920" John P. Wall and Harold E. Pickersgill, Editors, ©1921, Volume II, page 168: Joshua LIDDLE, now a retired farmer and business man, comes from English family, his parents, Joshua and Anna (Buck) Liddle, both born in England, where they were married. Joshua (I) Liddle was an English farmer, and in 1825 came to the United States, settling in Perth Amboy, New Jersey, where his son Joshua (2) Liddle, was born, October 30, 1840. Joshua (2) Liddle grew to manhood at Perth Amboy, obtaining a good public school education. For many years he was engaged in the retail ice business, but finally retired to a good Middlesex county farm, not far from Woodbridge, which he purchased. There he lived contented and presperours for a number of years. Later, in 1909, he sold this farm and purchased a smaller property near Metuchen, which he occupied until the death of his wife, in 1920, then removed to Perth Amboy, where he lives retired with his son, Clarence M. Liddle. Mr. Liddle is now an octogenarian, and is remarkably preserved for his years, his faculties being especially keen for his year. He is a Republican in politics; a member of the Woodbridge Methodist Episcopal Church; and Woodbridge Lodge, Independent Order of Odd Fellows. Being a good business man, Mr. Liddle has gained a competence through his energy and ability, and has spent a life of honorable effort and right living. He is highly respected by all who know him, and his friends are many. Joshua Liddle married, October 23, 1866, in Woodbridge, New Jersey, Anna L. Mellick, born February 11, 1848, died October 27, 1920, daughter of Melancthon F. and Elizabeth (Randolph) Mellick, her father born at Short Hills, New Jersey. Two sons were born to Joshua and Anna L. (Mellick) Liddle: I. Arthur M., born Septeber 8, 1867; married Fanny Tyler, and they have a daughter, Florence. 2. Clarence M., born November 29, 1871; married Clara Pfeiffer, and they have three children: Clarence K., William P., and Jean R. This family resides in Perth Amboy, New Jersey at No. 178 Rector street. The following is taken from "History of Middlesex County New Jersey 1664-1920" John P. Wall and Harold E. Pickersgill, Editors, ©1921, Volume III, page 382: James Parker LIDDLE, a native son of Middlesex county, Mr. Liddle strayed far from his native heath, and for thirty years braved the storms that swept Dakota's prairies. But storms are followed by sunshine, and the Dakota storms and sunshine produced the wonderful crops that Mr. Liddle garnered year after year, until his wants were satisfied, then he met the craving he had long fought against and returned to the hills, valleys and fields of Middlesex county. On a little farm not far from Metuchen (a garden in comparision with his broad Dakota acres) he located, near enough to have city advantages, far enough away to avoid the crowded feeling, and there the veteran of seventy three years, in the house which he rebuilt and modernized, is reaping the reward of his years of toil in a life of contented ease. He is a son of Joshua and Ann (Buck) Liddle, his father before him a Middlesex farmer. James Parker Liddle was born in Woodbridge township, Middlesex county, New Jersey, December 15, 1847, and there spent the years of his youth and early manhood. He attended public schools, then learned the blacksmith's trade, working at his trade and farming until 1878, when he went to North Dakota, and there remained for thirty years. in the early days in North Dakota few people attempted to remain on their prairie lands during the winter, Mr. Liddle being one of the first to attempt it in his section. He built one of the first frame houses in that country, most of the houses being made of sod, which is a house partly below and partly above the surface, the walls and roof being built of thick, tough prairie sod, making a warm and comfortable home. After thirty years in the Wets he returned to Middlesex county and bought a little farm of nineteen acres near Metuchen, and has there created a delightful home for his declining years. In politics he is a Republican, and takes great interest in the affairs of his community. Mr. Liddle married, at Fords Corner, New Jersey, December 15, 1873, Ellen Gaffney, born in Boston, Massachusetts, July 5, 1849, daughter of John and Ellen (Lavigne) Gaffney, both born in Ireland