RIDER, Capt. Daniel - 1890 Bio (1808-1893)

RIDER, WENBAUGH, MCCALL, CONWAY, SIMONS, REGISTER, BLACK, GOW, COBB, FRY

Posted By: Joey Stark
Date: 8/22/2007 at 19:22:23

Portrait and Biographical Album of Jefferson and Van Buren Counties, Iowa, Printed 1890 by Lake City Publishing Co., Chicago
Pages 400 and 403

Capt. Daniel RIDER.

Among those prominently identified with the early settlement of Iowa, must be mentioned the worthy gentleman whose name heads this sketch. He was born in Fayette County, Pa., November 28, 1808, and is a son of Lawrence and Ann Maria (WENBAUGH) RIDER. His ancestors on both sides were among the early colonists of Pennsylvania, and both of his grandfathers evinced their patriotism by serving in the Colonial army in the War of the Revolution.

Our subject was reared on a farm until nineteen years of age when he learned the tanner's and currier's trade in Claysville, of his native State, and was engaged in that line of business for twenty years. As a companion on life's journey he chose Miss Ann McCALL, their wedding taking place in January, 1832, in Washington County, Pa. The lady is a native of that county and is descended from an old family of Pennsylvania. Seven children were born to Captain and Mrs. RIDER, four sons and three daughters, the record of whom is as follows: Mary J., the eldest, deceased; George L. married Matilda A. CONWAY, and is living in Creston, Pa.; Ann Maria, wife of Andrew SIMONS, deceased; Thomas M. married Belle G. REGISTER and is a farmer of Fairfield Township, Jefferson County; Emeline is the wife of Madison BLACK, also a resident of Fairfield Township; Henry wedded Miss Sarah GOW and resides on the old homestead in the same township; William T. was twice married, wedding Miss Katie COBB after the death of his first wife, whose maiden name was Jennie M. FRY.

Capt. RIDER is an old time Democrat and prior to coming to Iowa was quite prominent in Pennsylvania politics. He was twice elected to the House of Representatives of his native State, and served two terms as a member of that body with credit to himself and satisfaction to his constituents. He was also deputy United States Marshal of Pennsylvania and assisted in taking the census of the Keystone State in 1840.

In the fall of 1846, with the desire to benefit his financial condition he emigrated to the newly made State of Iowa, locating in Jefferson County. Shortly after his arrival he became associated in business with Messrs. Henn and Williams, under the firm name of Henn, Williams & Co., real-estate dealers of Fairfield, and was extensively engaged in locating and entering public lands. While devoting his attention to that pursuit he located many thousand acres of land in Iowa. The tract now embraced in Sioux City was selected and entered by him as a town site. In 1846, he settled upon the farm which he now owns and occupies in company with his son Henry, the location being section 3, Fairfield Township. In connection with the operation of his land, which is always well cultivated and improved, he has taken a warm interest in bee culture and has kept an apiary nearly forty years, and for many years owned the largest in Jefferson County, while it is now second in importance.

Mrs. RIDER was a member of the United Presbyterian Church in early life, but later joined her husband in the Lutheran Church and was a member of that society at the time of her death in November, 1872. The Captain has been a member of the Lutheran Church since 1848. He is one of the oldest early surviving settlers of Jefferson County and his acquaintance throughout the State is extensive. A man of genial and affable manner, always ready to perform any favor in his power for a friend, neighbor or stranger, Capt. RIDER has made a host of friends and is regarded as one of the most reliable and most highly esteemed citizens of Jefferson County.

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