Samuel O. Ridenour

As printed in 1906

[This passage is too damaged in the scanned book to reproduce. See the original book.]

The Ridenour family is of German extraction and was established in America by Lewis Ridenour, the great-grandfather of our subject. He came to the Colonies prior to the American Revolution and assisted the Patriot Army in the capacity of a teamster. He first settled in Virginia, whence he removed to Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania, and there engaged in farming until 1803, when he migrated to Ohio. He settled in Perry County, being accompanied by his wife and 10 children. He bad seven sons and three daughters. His sons, all of whom served in the war of 1812, were as follows: Mathias, David, John, Jacob, Lewis, Isaac and Martin. Of these, David, John and Isaac came to Allen County and all settled in Perry township. David never married, but John and Isaac both reared families and their descendants to-day are numbered with the most prominent and reliable citizens of their various communities.

John Ridenour, the grandfather of Samuel O., was born in Virginia in 1785; he accompanied his father to Pennsylvania and subsequently to Ohio. In March, 1831, he entered a half section of land in section 5, Perry township. Here he cleared up a farm, on which he died in 1874, being survived by his widow until July, 1879. John Ridenour married Hannah Spahn, who was born at Hagerstown, Maryland, and accompanied her parents to Perry township. The children of this marriage were: Jacob, father of our subject; John, who died in Perry township; Mathias, of Paulding County, Ohio; George, who died in Perry township; Rebecca, deceased, who was the wife of Samuel Wollett; Hannah, deceased, who was the wife of J. L. Stevenson; Phebe, deceased, who was the wife of Samuel Wollett; and Amelia, deceased.

Jacob Ridenour, son of John and Hannah Ridenour, was born in Perry County, Ohio, January 14, 1809, and there learned the blacksmith’s trade. In 1831 he came to Perry township, Allen County, and settled on the 80 acres of land acquired by his father, and on which Samuel O. Ridenour lived at the time of his death. Here, in the latter part of 1832, he established a blacksmith shop, and for many years carried on his trade in connection with farming. Politically he was a stanch Democrat, and always assumed a lively interest in public affairs. He served as township trustee, and performed his full share in the development of the section in which he lived. He was one of the original members of St. Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Church, aiding liberally in its erection and serving as one of its trustees. His first wife was Catherine Oats, a daughter of William Oats, of Perry County, Ohio. She died in 1836, leaving three children as follows: Samuel O.; Jacob, who died from exposure while in the service of his country, as a manlier of Company K, 1 1 8th Reg., Ohio Vol. Inf.; and Catherine, who married Daniel Losh and died in 1860.

Jacob Ridenour’s second wife was Mrs. Lovis (Mechling) Boyer. They had six children, namely: Rebecca. wife of William Verbryke; Phelie, wife of James K. Spear; Lovis, widow of Isaac Lehman, of Indiana; Emma, deceased, who was the wife of J. G. Barr; Knox P.. of Dayton. Ohio: and John W., deceased.

.nr. turf* of for; Sii// 'i ’ jfj ip.j i'/roi ni it mod < >

Mr. Ridenour died November 9, 1879, h's we having preceded him in 1872.

Samuel O..Ridenour was reared from infancy to manhood on the old family homestead in Perry township. He passed his entire life here, and was always identified with the best interests of the locality. He was a man of public spirit, with modern ideas and methods, and became one of the substantial and representative men of the community. He owned 90 acres of the old homestead and, in addition to engaging in general farming, developed the oil-wells on his property and demonstrated them to be very remunerative. His improved farm was managed with modern machinery and scientific intelligence.

Mr. Ridenour was an honored survivor of the Civil War. He enlisted in 1864 in Company A, 1 both Reg., Ohio Vol. Inf., which was assigned to the 23d Army Corps, under General Schofield. The last engagement in which he participated was at Kingston, North Carolina, after taking part in all the hard marching and fighting in which his regiment engaged. He was honorably discharged at the close of the war and returned to his home in Allen County.

In 1870 Samuel O. Ridenour was joined in marriage with Mary C. Sellers, a daughter of John Sellers. She died in 1875, leaving two children, viz: John F., now deceased; and Hattie, wife of Morgan L. Harrod. Mr. Ridenour married (second) Elizabeth Swinehart, daughter of Samuel Swinehart, of Perry County, Ohio, and they had two children, viz: Grover DeWitt and Samuel O., Jr.

Politically, Mr. Ridenour was a stanch Democrat and always upheld the principles of his party. He served as township trustee, clerk and treasurer and, by the efficient discharge of the duties of his office, merited the confidence reposed in him. In his religious views he was a Lutheran, and a valued member of St. Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Church. He was very liberal in his support of this church, being a man of marked charitable impulses.

The death of Samuel O. Ridenour occurred on his farm, July 23, 1902. He had almost reached the age of 70 years and had he not suffered from the exposures incident to the army life of the Civil War his years might still further have been prolonged. Mrs. Ridenour still survives him and she, also, is a member of St. Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Church.

Grover DeWitt Ridenour, who, with his younger brother, has charge of the homestead, was born on this place November 2, 1884. He was educated in the district schools of the neighborhood and has always made this farm his home. Samuel O., who bears his father’s honored name, was also born on the family homestead, May 20, 1888, and still continues to reside upon it. Imitating their deceased father, the brothers have continued his progressive methods of conducting the agricultural operations, ' having also displayed energy and good management in the improvements which they themselves have made. They are young men who are thoroughly respected and can claim a very wide circle of friends in Perry township..

On a preceding page in proximity to thisis shown a group of the Ridenour, family, executed from a photograph later taken before thedecease of Samuel O. Ridenour.

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.