For
Muscatine County Iowa
1911
| Biographies For Muscatine County Iowa 1911 | |
Source: History of Muscatine County Iowa, Volume II, Biographical, 1911, page 183
WILLIAM D. RIDENOUR. William D. Ridenour, a retired resident of West Liberty, was long and successfully identified with agricultural interests in this part of the state and is still the owner of two hundred and forty acres of valuable land in Cedar county. His birth occurred in Sugar Creek township, Cedar county, Iowa, on the 20th of September, 1853, his parents being David and Elizabeth ( Swisher ) Ridenour, who were natives of Maryland and Pennsylvania respectively. Coming to this state in 1849, they purchased a farm in Cedar county and continued to reside there throughout the remainder of their lives, the father passing away on the 6th of May, 1874, and the mother in the year 1883. Unto them were born six children, as follows: Emanuel, who is now a resident of Poweshiek county, Iowa; Nancy E., the wife of John Utsler, of Dawson county, Nebraska; John D., also living in Dawson county, Nebraska; J. N.., of Custer county, Nebraska; J. E., who is deceased and William D., of this review.The last named was reared under the parental roof and educated in the common schools. At the time of his father's death he purchased the old homestead in Cedar county, continuing to reside thereon for three years. On the expiration of that period he disposed of the property and bought a farm in Audubon county, Iowa where he made his home for seven years. Selling the place, he returned to Cedar county and at the end of eighteen months there purchased a farm in Rochester township, on which he lived for fourteen years. After disposing of that property he bought a farm of two hundred and forty acres in Iowa township, which is still in his possession and which he brought under a high state of cultivation and improvement during the eight years of his residence thereon. In connection with the tilling of the soil he made a specialty of raising and feeding cattle and hogs, both branches of his business returning to him a gratifying annual income. In 1909 he put aside the active work of the fields and on the 10th of December of that year took up his abode in a fine residence which he had purchased in West Liberty, where he has since made his home.
Mr. Ridenour was married three times. On the 17th of November, 1873, he wedded Miss Mary Turner, a native of Cedar county, Iowa, and a daughter of John and Matilda Turner. By this union there were four sons, only one of whom survives, namely: Morton S., who is now a resident of California. The wife and mother passed away in 1884 and two years later Mr. Ridenour was again married, this second union being with Miss Ellen Hinkhouse, a native of Pennsylvania, by whom he had three children: Fred, who resides on his father's farm; Cora, who is deceased; and Daisy, a high school graduate, who is still at home. Mrs. Ellen Ridenour was called to her final rest in 1904 and on the 28th of August, 1907 our subject wedded Miss Jane Pratt, of native of Indiana and a daughter of Joseph and Elizabeth Pratt. Her father is deceased but her mother is yet living, now making her home at Wilton Junction, Iowa.
Mr. Ridenour is a republican in politics and has held the offices of trustee and school director. Fraternally he is identified with the Modern Woodmen of America at West Liberty, while his religious faith is indicated by his membership in the Methodist Episcopal church, to which his wife also belongs. Mr. Ridenour is a man of high principles, his life actuated by worthy purposes and characterized by honorable conduct in every relation. Thus he has won the respect of his fellowmen and is numbered among the representative citizens of his community.
Back to Biographical Index Page