PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.
THOMAS J. RIDENOUR. Among
the early residents of Greene County are mentioned Henry and Mary A. (HYLAND)
RIDENOUR, who settled on a tract of wild land in Beaver Creek Township and
proceeded to build up a homestead, endeavoring likewise to accumulate a
competency. To them there was born May 24, 1848, he with whose name we introduce
this biographical outline. He has practically grown up with the country,
witnessing its growth and development with that interest only felt by the
native-born citizen. He occupies a good position among his neighbors, being a
man enjoying their confidence and esteem in a marked degree. He gives his
political support to the Republican party and for a period of seven years held
the office of Township Assessor.
The father and mother of our subject were respectively of
German and Irish descent and the latter was born in Maryland. They were married
in that State and came to his county from Knox County, this State, where they
had sojourned for a brief time. They lived in Beaver Creek Township from 1840
until their decease. The father died in 1883 at the age of seventy-six years,
having been born in 1807. The household circle included six children, viz: Ann,
Patience, John, Vopton, Thomas J. and Mary, twins.
The subject of this sketch has a fine education, having had
the advantage of attending Antioch College four years. He taught penmanship one
year, attaining to a high degree of proficiency and artistic skill in the use of
the pen. He was first married, in 1872, to Catherine, daughter of Daniel M. and
Maria (WAMPLER) SHOUP. She was born in Greene County in 1849 and died August 18,
1882, after a happy wedded life of ten years. She bore her husband four children
respectively; Mary E., Theresa M., Gertrude E. and Maude A.
Mr. RIDENOUR contracted a second marriage August 29, 1889, with Miss Margaret, daughter of Thomas P. and Margaret JOHNSON, of this county. Mr. and Mrs. JOHNSON after their marriage settled in Greene County and here their daughter Margaret was born. Mr. RIDENOUR’s farm is ninety-five acres in extent, being a choice body of land under a good state of cultivation. The proprietor gives to it his whole time and attention, having very little to do with political affairs, with the exception of casting his vote with the Republican party.
transcribed by Jean Hehn