Remembering my Mother

Today, June 1, would have been the 110th birthday of my mother, Lillian Mary (Bilderback) Liggett.

Mother was born June 1, 1898 in Colliers, Brooke County, West Virginia, the daughter of William Fenton Bilderback and Lillian Mary Baker. Her mother was born in 1869 in Demorestville, Sophiasburg Township, Prince Edward County, Ontario, Canada., the daughter of William Baker and Mary Garrison. William F. Bilderback and Lillian Mary Baker were married March 2, 1892 in Demorestville, Prince Edward County. She died October 26, 1898 at Colliers several months after giving birth to twins and is buried in the cemetery at Burgettstown, Pennsylvania Mother's unnamed twin brother died at birth.

Mother and my father, Harry Doyle Liggett, son of Frank and Nora (Penn) Liggett of Cadiz Junction, Harrison County, Ohio, were married November 17, 1917 in the parsonage of the First Christian Church, 220 N. Fourth St., Steubenville, Ohio, by the Rev. H. D. Darsie. They honeymooned in Syracuse, New York, staying at the home of her aunt and uncle, George and Anna Baker.

Harry Doyle Liggett was working as a telegraph operator in Colliers,for the Pennsylvania Railroad when he met mother who was working as a saleslady at the Woolworth store on Market Sttreet in Steubenville.

They lived in Colliers after their marriage until he was transferred to the old DY tower east of Dennison and the family moved to Dennison on December 19, 1919, living at 211 McCook Ave. He left the railroad and drove a taxicab for six months before going to work as a motorman for the old streetcar line operated by Ohio Service Co. which became the Ohio Power Co. He retired August 31, 1960 as a line foreman after nearly 40 years of service.

The Liggetts moved to 917 W. Court Street in 1922 and to McKee Road, Dennison, on December 17, 1938. They celebrated their golden wedding anniversary at their home in McKee Road where mother died July 6, 1973 after suffering a heart attack. Father died February 11, 1983 at Twin City Hospital in Dennison. They are buried in Ridgecrest Memory Gardens in Dover.

Mother worked for the Pennsylvania Railroad for two years during World War II, operating the turn table and servicing engines. She was a member of the Good Shepherd United Brethren Church and its Friendship Class.
~ Harry Liggett in Akron, OH