Jacob Ridenour

As printed in 1906

ACOB CLOYD RIDENOUR, one of Lima’s leading attorneys, senior member of the law firm of Ridenour & Halfhill, was born in Lima, March 9g, 1860, and is one of a family of five children born to his parents, Jacob and Dorcas

(Dixson) Ridenour.

Mr. Ridenour is of Scotch and German descent. -His ancestors came to this country at an early date and located in the States of Maryland and Pennsylvania. His great-grandfather was a soldier in the American Army during the War of 1812. His grandfather removed from Maryland to Ohio in 1820, and settled in Perry County—after 10 years’ residence there locating in Allen County as one of its pioneer settlers.

Jacob Ridenour, the father of our subject, was born and reared in this county. His wife, Dorcas, was a daughter of Jacob Dixson, deceased, who in early life was a prominent farmer of Licking County, Ohio, and later a resident of Allen County. In 1862, when his son, Jacob Cloyd, was two years of age, Jacob Ridenour joined the Union Army as a private in the 118th Reg. Ohio Vol. Inf. He served in the East and took part in many of the hard fought battles waged by the Army of the Potomac under Hooker, Burnside, Meade and Grant. He died in camp at Washington, D. C., February 5, 1865.

Jacob Cloyd Ridenour was reared on a farm near Lima and obtained his preliminary education in the common schools of this county. He then entered the Ohio Normal University at Ada where he was graduated in the scientific department in 1882, and then became a student of law in the State University of Iowa, from which he graduated in June, 1885. On the

23rd of that month he was admitted to practice in both the State and Federal courts of Iowa.. Soon afterward he-returned to Ohio: and accepted the principalship of the LaRue High School. On June 2, 1886, he was admitted to the Ohio bar, after successfully passing the examination before the State Supreme Court. He at once engaged in practice in his native city, soon showing that ability which has made his career one of unusual success. On June 21, 1886, he formed a partnership with Gideon Ditto, which continued until the latter’s death in July, 1887. On September 1, 1887, Mr. Ridenour formed his present partnership with James W. Halfhill, which combination of legal talent has proved one of great

Strength. The offices of the firm are at No.

51 Public Square. In all the attributes necessary for legal success, Mr. Ridenour has. been liberally endowed, and it is safe to say that no name in the various courts of Northwestern Ohio, is more favorably known than his. He is a member of the Allen County Bar Association and the Ohio State Bar Association.

Mr. Ridenour was married to Maggie Bowsher, a daughter of Anthony Bowsher,. and they have three children. The family residence is located at No. 631 West Market street.

In political matters and public affairs Mr. Ridenour has taken a very active interest. He is a stanch Democrat and from January 1,. 1894, to January I, 1900, was prosecuting attorney of his county. In 1900 he was a delegate to the National Democratic Convention from the Fourth Congressional District of Ohio. Fraternally he belongs to the Knights of Pythias, Odd Fellows and Elks.

As printed in History of Allen county, Ohio and representative citizens (1906). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.