RIDGWAY, Squire C. - 1912 Bio (1819-1883)

RIDGWAY, CRUME, JAMISON, MOORE

Posted By: Joey Stark
Date: 9/27/2007 at 15:04:50

History of Jefferson County, Iowa -- A Record of Settlement, Organization, Progress and Achievement, Vol. II, Published 1912, S. J. Clarke Publishing Co., Chicago
Pages 121-122

Squire C. RIDGWAY.

The late Squire C. RIDGWAY was one of Jefferson county's pioneer agriculturists, having located in Round Prairie township in 1841. He was born on the 10th of November, 1819, and was a son of John and Margaret (CRUME) RIDGWAY, natives of Kentucky. There Mr. RIDGWAY followed the stone mason's trade until 1827, when together with his wife and children he started for Indiana, but died en route. The mother survived for forty-seven years thereafter, her demise occurring on the 5th of December, 1874.

Such schooling as was afforded Squire C. RIDGWAY he obtained in his native state, whence he accompanied his parents on their removal to Indiana. The eldest son, after the death of his father the duties and responsibilities of manhood devolved upon him, although he was only a lad of eight years. Pioneering at its best is fraught with hardships and privations, but owing to their limited circumstances and uncertain resources, the RIDGWAY family found life very hard during those early days in Indiana. They continued to make their home there, however, until 1841 when they removed to Jefferson county. Here Squire C. RIDGWAY chose Miss Elizabeth J. JAMISON, their marriage being celebrated on October 19, 1858. Mrs. RIDGWAY was born in Morgan county, Illinois, on the 1st of August, 1832, and is a daughter of Alexander and Mary (MOORE) JAMISON, the father a native of Virginia and the mother of Kentucky. Alexander JAMISON migrated from his native state to Illinois in his early manhood and after following his trade there for several years came to Jefferson county. Upon his arrival in this county he entered some land in Round Prairie township, which proved unsuitable for agricultural purposes, as he could not get all the necessary water; so leaving the land unimproved, he leased a farm for several years and then disposing of his property, he removed to Webster county, making his home with his children until he passed away. He was eighty years of age when he died on the 17th of June, 1881, while the mother was seventy-nine years at the time of her death on the 6th of March, 1886. Having no children of their own Mr. and Mrs. RIDGWAY took a boy, William Gill, into their home, who was three years of age at the time. They reared him to manhood and he is now a well known farmer of Round Prairie township.

Mr. RIDGWAY was a member of the Masonic order and he was also affiliated with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, while he voted the republican ticket. In religious faith he was a Baptist and his widow still holds membership in that church. Mrs. RIDGWAY, who has now attained the venerable age of seventy-nine years makes her home in Glasgow, where her sister, Miss Margaret JAMISON, is living with her ever since their parents died. Both ladies are cultured and refined and carrying their years lightly, are still actively interested in their pursuits and surroundings, among many friends of long years standing.

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