Historical encyclopedia of Illinois, Volume II, part 2, Part 129

Author: Bateman, Newton, 1822-1897; Selby, Paul, 1825-1913
Publication date: 1912
Publisher: Chicago, Munsell Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 774

USA > Illinois > Sangamon County > Historical encyclopedia of Illinois, Volume II, part 2 > Part 129

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RICKETTS, Albert L., a retired merchant and honored citizen of Springfield, Ill., was born at Greeucastle, Ind., June 27, 1868, and Is a son of Daniel D. and Florence L. (Williamson ) Ricketts, the former born August 19, 1822, and the latter February 21, 1849. Daniel D. Rick- etts was a lawyer and located In Springfield in 1893, remaluing about six months, then re- turned to Greencastle, where he resided until his deatb, May 14, 1897. He enlisted in 1861, in Company B, Fifty-fifth Indiana Regiment, as Lieutenant, and became a musician of the Six- teenth Indiaua Volunteers. Later he enlisted as a private.

The wife of Daniel D. Ricketts was a daugh- ter of Delano E. Williamson, who was born August 19, 1822, in Florence, Boone County, Ky., and died at Greencastle, Iud., May 2, 1903. His father was a descendant of Elliott Will- iamson, a native of Irelaud, who eurigrated to America at the time of the Revolution and fought in the Continental Army under General Washington, from which his descendants are eligible to bear the title of Sons and Daughters of the American Revolution. On his mother's side his ancestry dates back to the Hollings- . worth family, who came to America with Will- iam Penn. The parents of Mr. Williamson emigrated to Illinois in 1833 and in 1842, when he was nineteen years of age, he went to In- diana with the intention of entering Asbury (now Depauw) University, but altered his miud and accepted the office of Deputy County Clerk at Bowling Green, Clay County, Ind. Up to this time his education had been only such as he was able to acquire in the common schools of Vermilion County, Ill. In March, 1842, he married Ellzabeth Elllott, a sister of the Coun- ty Clerk, in whose office he was employed. Dur- ing his residence in Bowling Green, extending over a perlod of two years, he devoted his leisure moments to the study of law, and re- turned to Greencastle at the end of that time, with the view of continuing his legal studies. He entered the office of Eckels & Hanna, of Greencastle, and in due time applled for an ex- amination for a license. In those days the old established lawyers guarded the entrance to their profession jealously from men who were unfitted to enter, and the committee which ex- amined Mr. Williamson was composed of Gen- eral Tilman H. Howard, Joseph A. Wright and Henry Secrist, who reported favorably, and a license was issued by Judge Bryant, of the Cir- cuit Court. He afterwards secured a license for practice in Clay County, where he re- mained until 1849, then was elected on the Dem- ocratic ticket as a Member of the Indiana Legislature. and served in the sessions of 1849- 50. In 1852 Mr. Williamson located In Green- castle. Ind., and soon afterward was admitted to practice in the Indiana Supreme Court. He became eminently successful in the practice of his profession and was distinguished for hls learning and keen intellect. In 1859 he formed

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a partnership with Hon. Addison Daggy, which continued for thirty years.

Deiano E. Williamson was a Democrat of the old school up to 1860, then espoused the cause of the union with zeal and eloquence, and in June, 1862, attended the Union Convention of Indiana. In 1864, 1866 and 1868 he was elected Attorney General, having been recognized as an able incumbent of time office. He was mar- ried, January 3, 1861, to Miss Carrie Badger. He was a devout member of the Christian Church and fraternaily was a member of the Masonic Order. At a meeting of the Ciay Coun- ty Bar Association held May 4, 1903, appro- priate resolutions were passed upon the death of Mr. Williamson, of which we quote a part, as follows :

"Resoived, That we again feel it our duty to express in tile weakness of words our deep- est sorrow, lamentations and highest regards for the worthy memory, pure and unsullied rep- utation, iu the fullness of years and honors. of an abie and distinguished quember of this bar, 'fallen asleep.' An iuscrutable Providence in an immutabie order of time, has again re- ceived from our midst one of the oldest, ablest, most faithful, honorable and honored members of the Bar of the State of Iudiana, in tinc per- son of Delano W. Williamson. .

Albert L. Ricketts lived at home with his fatirer until nineteeu years of age, and received his educatiou in Greencastle, Ind. His mother came to Sangamon County September 13, 1902. Upon leaving school Mr. Ricketts spent two years as baggage-man for the Peoria, Decatur & Evansville Railroad Company, and in 1SS9 went to Oklahoma, where he took up a home- stead and lived five years, locating in Spring- field iu 1895, and has since been a resident of this city. He embarked in hotel business July 1, 1902, and continued seven years in conduct- ing this establishment iu Springfield, which was known as the Jefferson Hotel. He has since lived retired from active life. He is a stanch Democrat and served in 1905-06 as Alderman of the Seventir Ward of Springfield. Mr. Rick- etts is weli-known in the city and is held in universai respect. He is actively interested in the welfare and progress of the community and is looked upon as a useful citizen. Fraternally he is connected with the Fraternal Order of Eagles, No. 437. He is a member of the Chris- tian Church.

Mr. Ricketts was married, January 25, 1900, in Ciricago. Iil., to Elizabeth Gaffigan, daughter of Michael and Margaret (Proctor) Gaffigan, whose biograpirical record appears on another page in tinis volume. She was born January 14, 1877. They have no children of their own, but have an adopted daughter, Mary E. R. Ricketts, who was born June 19, 1904. in Hei- ena, Mont. The family reside at 205 Elliott Avenue, whichit home Mr. Ricketts owns.

RIDGELY, Charles (deceased), former capital- ist, manufacturer and widely-known citizen of Springfield, Ili., was born in that city January

17, 1836, the oldest son of Nicholas Henry Ridgely and his second wife, Jane Maria (Huut- ington) Ridgely, and died in his native city August 11, 1910. Both parents were members of families weil known in State and colonial history, Nichoias H. Ridgely being the youngest of a family of thirteen children of Greenbury Ridgeiy, a planter of Anne Arundel County, Md., who traced his ancestry to Col. Henry Ridgely, of Anne Arundel County, the latter having held a number of colonial offices, includ- ing member of the Maryland Assembly in 1692, of the Governor's . Council and Colonel of Militia. Greenbury Ridgely was a man of stroug religious temperament, who freed aii his slaves and devoted himself to the ministry, while three of his sons became prominent as bankers-Noah and Lot in Baltimore, and Nicholas, the father of the subject of this sketch, in Springfield, Ill. In 1829 Nicholas Ridgeiy came to St. Louis, Mo., to assume a clerkship in a branch of the United States Bank established there, but iu 1835 became Cashier of the State Bauk of Iilinois at Springfield, where a year later his son Charles was born. The State Bank of Illinois, having gone out of existence, was succeeded iu 1852 by Clark's Exchange Bank at Springfield with Nichoias H. Ridgely as President, which in turn gave piace in 1859 to the banking firm of N. N. Ridgely & Company. In 1866 the latter became the Ridgely National Bank, which has had contin- uous existence to the present time. As a conse- quence no name has been so long identified with the banking history of Springfield as that of the Ridgely family, covering aimost the entire period of the city's existence.

After receiving his primary education in the home schools. Charles Ridgely spent some two years as a student in Illinois College at Jack- sonviiie, of which he was a devoted friend and which, in his later years, he served for a time as Trustee. In 1852, at the age of seventeen ycars, he began his business career as a clerk in his father's private banking establishment, being successively promoted to Cashier, and Vice President, also in 1859, at the age of twenty-four years. being admitted to partner- ship in the Ridgely Banking Company. Other business interests with which he was promi- nently identified included the Springfield Iron Company. which was organized in 1871 and which did a large manufacturing business for a number of years. Mr. Ridgely retaining the position of President during its whole career. This concern merged with the Republic Iron and Steel Company in 1901. Although it had to meet the competition of large concerns in Pitts- burg, Chicago and elsewhere, it did a large busi- ness for a number of years. employing at one time over 1.500 men. It was managed with sound judgment under Mr. Ridgely's adminis- tration and. as the first extensive manufactur- ing enterprise in Springfield, did much to pro- mote the development of the city and attract attention to its advantages as a manufacturing

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center. Other enterprises with which Mr. Ridgely was closely associated at the same time, were the Springfield Gas Light Company, the City Railway Company and the Springfield Electric Light Company. In the late 'seventies he served for a time as a Director of the Wabash Rallway Company, was first President of the Ellsworth Coal Company, and later or- ganizer and President of the Consolidated Coal Company, of St. Louis, which took in over thirty-five companies in the Southern Illinois coal fields. In fact, few men in Illinois State history have been Identified with so many ex- tensive business interests, and none ever played their part with higher devotion to any duty devolving upon him. A man of strict integrity and public spirit, he has left a record of which his relatives and the citizens of Springfield have a right to be proud.

In 1870 Mr. Ridgely was an unsuccessful can- didate for State Treasurer on the Democratic ticket, and in 1886 was offered by President Cleveland the position of Comptroller of the Currency, but declined to accept. During his later years he acted in co-operation with the Republican party. He was one of the original founders of the Springfield Public Library and for a time served as President of the Central Illinois Art Soclety. A generous contributor to charities, he assisted in the erection of Christ Episcopal Church, In Springfield, in memory of his mother, and of which he became a member. Much of his time in the later years of his life was occupied in looking after the interests of his father's large estate as one of its executors.

Mr. Ridgely was married, June 16, 1857, to Jane Maria Barret, daughter of James Watson Barret, of Island Grove, Sangamon County, and is survived by three sons and one daughter. The sons are: William Barret Ridgely, of Washington City, D. C., former Vice President of the Springfield Iron Company, later of the Republic Iron & Steel Company, Minneapolis, and recent Comptroller of the Currency; Ed- ward Ridgely, former Cashler of the Ridgely National Bank and later National Bank Exam- iner, New York; and Franklin Ridgely, Cashier of the Ridgely National Bank. His daughter is Mrs. Mary Ridgely Vincent, wife of Judge William A. Vincent, of Chicago. Four brothers and six sisters aiso survive him.

His passing away on August 11, 1910, as the result of illness from which he had suffered for some three years, called forth many tributes in his honor from former friends and associ- ates, and the funeral ceremonles at his former home at 631 South Fourth Street, and Christ Episcopal Church, on the afternoon of August 14, Bishop Osborne and Rev. E. H. Clark officiating, were attended by a large audience of sorrowing, appreciative friends and admirers.

RIDGELY, Charles. (Vol. I, p. 451.)

RIDGELY, Nicholas H. (Vol. I, p. 451.)

RIDGEWAY, Norman .- Cooper Township is noted for its well-cultivated farms and the thrifty agriculturalists who understand their work and how to get the most from their land. One of the farmers whose prosperity has been gained through hard work, is Norman Ridge- way, of Section 15, Cooper Townshlp. He was born in Sangamon County, December 18, 1846, a son of Patterson and Nancy (Hudson) Ridge- way, natives of Kentucky and Virginia. The father came to Sangamon County with hls parents in 1829, locating at Buffalo Hart Grove, where he lived ten years, and then removed to Cooper Township. He later went to the vicinity of Loami, where he died In 1893, his wife hav- ing died in 1851. There were fifteen children in the family, all of whom lived to maturity but are now deceased.

Norman Ridgeway worked for his father un- til he enlisted In the army, and upon his return engaged with an engineering firm, continuing in its employ for nine years, when he resumed farming, and has thus continued ever since. He owns ten acres where he resides and forty acres in Kansas, and Is in receipt of a pension from the government. His people have owned a considerable amount of land in Sangamon County since his grandfather made his first entry from the Government and began farming on a large tract in Buffalo Hart Township.

On January 22, 1865, Mr. Ridgeway enlisted in an Iilinois regiment, and was discharged on April 12th of the same year, having been sta- tioned at Camp Butler.

On August 18, 1898, Mr. Ridgeway was mar- ried to Alice Dillon, daughter of Ebenezer and Lucretia Dillon. She was born March 22, 1873, in Sangamon County, where her father was also born, but her mother was born In Indlana. Her paternal grandparents came from Kentucky to Illinois at a very early date, and all are now deceased. Mr. Ridgeway has had seven chil- dren : Ida May, wife of J. J. James; Davld L., Lula Hester, Norman E., Joseph W., George R., and Pearl. He has three grandchildren : Merton James, Leona James and Carl Dewey James.

A strong Republican, Mr. Ridgeway has served as School Director In Cooper Township. He belongs to the United Brethren Church. An excellent farmer, a good nelghbor and conscien- tious citizen, he has discharged the duties life has placed upon his shoulders faithfully and well, and Is rightly regarded as one of the representative men of his neighborhood.

RIEFLER, Charles J .- Among the men who have been Identified with the progress and wel- fare of Sangamon County, Ill., for nearly half a century, Is Charles J. Riefler, who has lived at Springfield uninterruptedly since his birth. He is well known locally for his keen interest in home affairs and to the people of Illinois through his past association with the labor movement. Mr. Riefler was born at Springfield, September 13, 1862, son of Michael and Eliza-

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beth (Lutz) Riefler, the former born in Eden, N. Y., in 1839, and the latter born In Germany iu 1842. The father located in Springfield iu 1860 and died there In 1885. The mother came to America with her parents in childhood and now resides iu Springfield, her home for over fifty years. They were parents of eight chil- dren.

The early education of Charles J. Riefler was received in the public schools of Springfield, aud later he secured a business education in the same city. After leaving school he spent two years on a farm. At the age of sixteen years he entered a printing office and followed the trade of printer until 1906, entering into the field of journalism in 1900, as publisher of "The Court of Houor," a publicatiou in the in- terests of the fraternal organization of the same name, issued at Springfield. Mr. Riefler was one of the organizers of the Court of Honor, a bene- ficiary society, with home offices at Springfield, and this organization has been phenomenally successful, doing business at the present time in eighteen States, with financial resources of over $2,000,000.

For over twenty years Mr. Riefler was iden- tified with the labor movement in Iilinois, aud held many offices of honor and trust with the Illinois State Federation of Labor, beiug three times unanimously chosen as its President. He was appointed by Governor Altgeld as a Mem- ber of the City Council of Springfield, and al- though never going into politics with a view to securing public office, has fulfilled his duty to his fellow citizens when called upon to serve them. He is now Secretary of the Lincoln Library, having been a member of its Board of Directors for seven years. He is an enthu- siastic supporter of every cause which he be- lleves to be for the general good and Is always ready to investigate any public movemeut.

Mr. Riefler is a member of the Springfield Business Men's Association and Chamber of Commerce, Springfield Mercantile Club, the Court of Honor, the Independent Order of Odd Feilows, Independent Order of Red Men, Mod- ern Woodmen of America, Tribe of Ben Hur and Typographical Uniou. In all these soci- eties he is a useful member and an active worker in thelr good cause. In political views he is a Democrat. He Is looked upon with the highest esteem by all who have been associated with him in a social or business way, aud has the universal respect of the people of his na- tive clty.

Mr. Rlefler was married in Springfield, iu 1886, to Barbara Kessler, born in Springfield in 1865, daughter of Adam and Mary Kessler. Her family settled in Sangamon County in the early 'fifties. Two sons have blessed the uniou of Mr. Riefler and his wife, namely: Carl J., born September 5, 1887, and Harold J., born September 6, 1891.

RIEGER, George .- There is no question that the Germans give their young a better practical training than we do. It is a well recognized

fact that the workers and professional men of German tralning rank ahead of many ef- ficient men, therefore, when a German comes to this country to eugage in business he is warmly welcomed by the community fortunate enough to secure him as a citizen. An houored resident of Springfield, is George Rleger, now retired and residing at No. 227 West Madlson Street. He was born in Germany, December 6, 1836, son of Joseph aud Mary (Grimm) Rieger, natives of Germany. Neither of the parents came to America, but spent thelr last days in their native land. The father served in the wars against the great Napoleon, seeing service in Russia.

George Rieger worked on his father's farm and learned the millwright trade. Llke all loyal Germans, he served his military term in the regular army, but after receiving his dis- charge decided to try his fortune in the New World, so came to America, in June, 1866, with Springfield as his objective point. Arriving there, he found employment at his trade, and continued to work at it until his retirement.

Mr. Rieger was married in his native land, May 15, 1860, . to Margaret Phillips, born in Germany. Her parents never left their native land. Mr. and Mrs. Rieger have had two chll- dren: Frank M. of Davenport, Iowa, an in- surance agent, and Mary, wife of Peter Litrell, who is with the Striffler Ice Company, of Spring- field.

Mr. Rieger was brought up a Catholic and belongs to SS. Peter and Paul Church. He is a member of St. Paul's Council, No. 57, Catholic Unlon. His political affiliations are with the Democratic party, but he has never tried to secure office. A quiet, unassuming man, he has always done what he belleved to be his full duty, and has made friends who ap- preciate his many excellent qualitles.

RIGGINS, William Mitchell .- Both the ma- ternal and paternal ancestors of William Mitchell Riggins fought in the Revolution, the War of 1812, the Mexican War and the Civil War, thus having been identified with the his- tory of their country during its four greatest struggles. They have always been patriotic, law-abiding citizens, and active in promoting the welfare and progress in any community where they have lived. William M. Riggins was born in Burlington, Iowa, October 15, 1843, son of Green Washington and Mary Maria (Staf- ford) Riggins. The father was born in Raleigh County, N. C., son of James Riggins, who came to North Carolina from Virginia. The Riggins family came originally from England and Green W. Riggins was of Scotch and English descent. He was engaged in business at Bur- lington, Iowa, moved from there to Wapella. thence to Beardstown, Ill., and in 1848 located in Hancock County, Ill., where he again en- gaged in business. In 1852 he went to Califor- nia, and afterward returned for his family and located iu Colusa County, Cal., where he died

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in 1855. His wife died in California, in 1907. They had seveu childreu, of whom three sur- vive. William M. was the third child, having two sisters older. His mother was born in Raleigh County, N. C., daughter of Noah and Mary (Jackson) Stafford, her father being a native of Tennessee, whose ancestors were from Staffordshire, Engiand. Mrs. Stafford was a relative of "Old Hickory" Jackson.

William M. Riggins received his early educa- tion in Hancock Couuty, Ill., where he attended subscription schools until he was eleven years of age, then accompanied the family to Califor- nia and attended excellent public schools there. He worked in the store with his father after leaving school, and upon the death of the latter worked on a farm for a time, where he learned the trade of carpenter. He worked two years in the wholesale aud retail store of A. Walker, in Marysville, Cal., then went on a prospecting trip and was fairly successful. He worked some time at the trade of carpenter, then learned the wagon-making trade, and worked for a time as constructing engineer in a quartz mine, after which he worked fifteen years in the quartz mills and became a miliwright.

Mr. Riggins was married, iu Sierra Valiey, Cal., October 30, 1881, to Miss Louise Adeline Piante, daughter of Paschal and Caroline (For- sant) Piante, both natives of St. Louis County, Mo. Mr. Piante was a farmer and became a mechanical engineer. He acted as engineer of the boat "Gazelie," when it took part in the historic boat race with the "Natchez," which has been much written of in song and prose, and is thus known the world over. By t orders of his superior officer Mr. Piante was crowding the engine of the boat beyond its capacity and her boilers exploded. His wife and child (Mrs. Riggins), the latter about one year old, were aboard the vessel, as it was an excursion day. Mrs. Piante saw the impending danger, caught up her child and jumped into the water, swimming to safety. Mr. Piante, however, remained at his post and was scalded to death. This tragic episode occurred in 1857, and many lives were lost. Mr. Riggins and his wife became parents of four children, of whom but one survives, Alva Leslie.

After his marriage Mr. Riggins worked two years at his trade as carpenter, after which he spent two years in mining. Then coming to Illi- nois he located at Bath, Mason County, there followed his trade for a time but later moved to Chandlerville, where he lived two years, then moved to Jacksonville, where he lived until October, 1890, the date of his locating in Springfield. He has worked at his trade of car- penter since coming to Springfield and is skilled in this line. He is respected and liked by his associates and popular with his many friends. He is a devout member of the Methodist Church and in politics is a Democrat. He is a prom- inent member of Carpenters' Union No. 6, of which he has served as Treasurer six terms.

RINDT, Rudolph, proprietor of a barber shop in Springfield, is a veterau of the Civil War and well known in the city. He has also con- ducted classes in music aud dancing for forty years. He has been successful iu many ven- tures. Mr. Rindt was boru in Germany, July 19, 1839, sou of Jacob and Phillipina Rindt, both uatives of Bavaria. The father was a soldier in the Franco-Prussiau War and be- came au Overseer of the King's Highway. He was a prominent man of Vogelsbach, and be- came Mayor of the city. His father was a Lutheran preacher in Germany aud lived to the age of ninety-five years, and his mother lived to the age of ninety-four years. Jacob Rindt came with his family to America, locating iu St. Louis, in 1852, and there spent the rest of his life.

The boyhood of Rudolph Rindt was spent in St. Louis and there he received his education in the public schools. After leaving school he learned the trade of barber, which he has since followed, except during the time he served in the Civil War. In 1867 he came to Springfield, where he has lived ever siuce. He and his son conduct a barber shop in Springfield and have built up a good custom. Both are skillful at their trade and the father is possessed of many social qualities. He has made a special study of dancing and is gifted as a musician.

Mr. Rindt enlisted, in Juue, 1861, at St. Louis, in Company D, Fifth Missouri Cavalry, and served until October, 1864, when he was mustered out at St. Louis, having served over three years. He participated in the Battles of Pea Ridge, Little Rock, Pine Bluff, Helena, and many skirmishes. For two years he fought bushwhackers, guerillas and the like, among them the James boys and the Younger boys, who were living in the hills of Missouri. At the Battle of Pea Ridge, Mr. Rindt was shot in the leg but was never sent to a hospital. He is now a prominent member of the G. A. R. and stands well with his comrades. Mr. Rindt is popular iu many circles and is a man of geuial nature and friendly disposition. He belongs to the Maccabees, the Modern Woodmen, Barbers' Union No. 96, of Springfield, and to the Danciug Teachers' Union. He is a devout member of the Lutheran Church and interested in many charitable and beuevolent moveiuents. In pol- itics he is a Democrat.

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Historical encyclopedia of Illinois, Volume II, part 2, Part 129

Author: Bateman, Newton, 1822-1897; Selby, Paul, 1825-1913 Publication date: 1912 Publisher: Chicago, Munsell Pub. Co. Number of Pages: 774

Author: Bateman, Newton, 1822-1897; Selby, Paul, 1825-1913
Publication date: 1912
Publisher: Chicago, Munsell Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 774