RIDER, Thomas Morgan - 1890 Bio (1838-1928)

RIDER, REGISTER

Posted By: Joey Stark
Date: 8/22/2007 at 19:35:28

Portrait and Biographical Album of Jefferson and Van Buren Counties, Iowa, Printed 1890 by Lake City Publishing Co., Chicago
Pages 386-387

Thomas M. RIDER, who is engaged in farming on section 3, Fairfield Township, is a representative of one of the pioneer families of Jefferson County, his father, Capt. Daniel RIDER, having been prominently identified with the county's history during its early days.

Our subject has spent almost his entire life in this county. He was born November 11, 1838, in Washington County, Pa., and came with his parents to Iowa when a lad of eight years. He acquired his education in the common schools, and was reared to farm life. On attaining to man's estate, he led to the marriage altar in Mt. Pleasant, Iowa, on the 26th of March, 1873, Miss Belle M. REGISTER, daughter of Aaron H. REGISTER, of Fairfield Township, formerly of Washington County, Pa., where the lady was born. Three children grace their union, and they lost one son, who died in infancy. Those living, two sons and a daughter, are Harry W., Zella B., and Warren W.

Mr. and Mrs. RIDER began their domestic life upon the farm which is still their home, and the husband with the knowledge he acquired of the business while under the parental roof, has met with excellent success in his undertaking. He is now the owner of a fine farm of one hundred and sixty-nine acres, will tilled, and with excellent improvements, and as the result of his industry and energetic efforts, now takes rank among the substantial farmers of the community. During the late war he evinced his loyalty to the Government and friendship for the cause, by three years of service. Enlisting on the 2d of August, 1862, in the Seventy-second Indiana Infantry, he marched in defense of the old flag until the close of the war, when on the 6th of July, 1865, he received his discharge. The regiment formed part of the Army of the Cumberland, and with his command he took part in all of the battles from Stone River until the fall of Atlanta, together with many others not included in that campaign. After having faithfully served his country for three years, he was at length honorably discharged.

While in Denver, Colo., whither he had gone on account of failing health, Mr. RIDER became a member of Veteran Grand Army Post of that city with which he still retains connection. In politics, he is a Democrat, and in religious belief a Methodist. In the community where he has so long made his home and where he so widely known, Thomas RIDER is highly esteemed, and those who have been witness of his career since boyhood are numbered among his stanchest friends, thus showing his life has been an honorable and worthy one.

[Transcriber's note: The 'Grand Army' is the Grand Army of the Republic, or G.A.R., the fore-runner of the American Legion.]

*Transcribed for genealogy purposes; I have no relation to the person(s) mentioned.