Lidster Family - Ourfolk

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.

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.

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.

Hello from Co Durham, England,
As my maiden name was Lidster and my famly has quite few 'Ralphs' in it, I was very interested in your family web site. The names Ralph and William appear to run down every line.
I think I contacted you a few years ago before you made your trip to England and was wondering how you've progressed since then.
You may have already seen it but I think there's a Bishops' Transcript entry for a baptism for 'your' Ralph on 12th June 1831 with parents William and Margaret..
I know it's very confusing with the name changing so much from Lister/Lidster/Litster but quite a few of them lived round the Ferryhill and Merrington area in Co Durham.
Anyway I have a copy of the entry (unless you have already found his baptism) if you are still interested, as it looks very likely to be the correct one.
Regards
Jean

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.

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

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.