USA > Ohio > Putnam County > A Portrait and biographical record of Allen and Putnam counties, Ohio, containing biographical sketches of many prominent and representative citizens, together with biographies and portraits of all the presidents of the United States, and biographies of the governors of Ohio, pt 2 > Part 48
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John F. Ridenour, the second son, was given an education in the common schools and was reared on his father's farm. June 11, 1878, he married Julia A., the daughter of Joseph Wollam (see sketch of Solomon Wol- lam), who was born in Putnam county on Oc- tober 19, 1855. After their marriage they settled on the home place of his father, and I
remained there for four years. Here one of their six children was born -- Lloyd W., No- vember 8, 1879. He purchased a piece of unimproved land, upon which he moved his small family, cleared off the forest, and im- proved the land until now he has a good farm. Here five more children were born to them, viz: Eva P., born January 17, 1884; Orlando C., born August 7, 1887; Samuel R., born May 11, 1889; Carl W., born December 8, 1891, and Otis Desso, born May 16, 1895. In poli- tics Mr. Ridenour is a democrat. He is not a member of any church, although his wife is a faithful member of the United Brethren con- gregation. He is a liberal man, much liked by his neighbors, and is active in all things that interest the welfare of his community.
HOMAS M. RIDENOUR, a native of Perry township, Putnam county, Ohio, was born March 10, 1846, is a son of Daniel and Lydia (McClish) Ridenour, and is one of the most prominent and success- ful farmers of the township. His father, Dan- iel, son of a hero of the war of 1812, was born September 12, 1811, married Lydia, daughter of Silas and Nancy (Mellinger) McClish, May 18, 1843, and became the father of four chil- dren, viz: Manson Willie, born January 27, 1844, died August 10, 1846; Thomas Mitchell, subject of this sketch; John Carl, born June 5, 1849, a farmer of Michigan, and George Hunt, boun August 20, 1851, and now a resident of Branch county, Mich. For a few years after their marriage Daniel Ridenour and his wife, with their infant family, resided in Perry town- ship, then moved to Paulding county, where Mrs. Ridenour died October 5, 1851. Shortly after this sad event Mr. Ridenour started for . California, but January 7, 1852, was lost at sea between Panama and San Francisco, and thus our subject was left an orphan at the ten-
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der age of less than six years. From the time of the death of his mother our subject was reared by Seneca Dimock until eleven years of age, when Mr. Dimock died, after which Mr. Ridenour made his home with an uncle and began making his own livelihood.
August 30, 1864, Thomas M. Ridenour en- listed in company K, One Hundred and Eighty- second Ohio volunteer infantry, and served un- til the close of the war, being honorably dis- charged at Nashville, Tenn., in August, 1865, after taking part in the severe battles of Frank- lin and Nashville. On his return home he worked out by the month at farming until his marriage, December 3, 1871, with Miss Eliza J. Shafer, daughter of Frederick and Rosanna (Ike) Shafer, and to this union were born the following children; Clara Etta, August 28, 1872, wife of Dan Howard, farmer, of Perry town- ship; twin daughters deceased, and John Fred- erick, December, 26, 1875, farming on the homestead. Mrs. Ridenour was born in Allen county, Ohio, January 9, 1853, and at three years of age was brought to Putnam county by her parents. Her father, Frederick Shafer, was born in Fairfield county, Ohio, February 11, 1795, and her mother, Rosanna (Ike) Shafer, was born in Germany April 25, 1815, and died March 14, 1891. They had born to them the following children: Susanne, wife of William Matson, of Perry township; Daniel, of Nebraska; Samuel; Nancy, wife of Israel Watson; Charlotte, wife of Alexander Smith, and Elvira, wife of R. Crane, of Continental, Ohio.
After his marriage, M. Ridenour settled on his present place, which he had purchased in the wild woods, but has since cleared, improved, and converted into a superior and fertile farm. In politics Mr. Ridenour is a republican, has served as school director for fourteen years, and is at present township trustee; he is a member of the Weiser post, No. 93, G. A. R.,
and Mrs. Ridenour is a consistent member of the United Brethern church. Mr. Ridenour is widely known as a more than ordinarily skillful agriculturist, and as a citizen is noted far liis public spirit and for the interest he takes in all things that pertain to the welfare of the township. The reader is respectfuliy referred to the sketch of Jolm Shafer, on another page, for further particulars concerning Mrs. Ride- nour's family.
SRAEL RIDENOUR, the oldest repre- sentative of the Ridenour family in Perry township, Putnam county. Ohio, was born in Fairfield county, August 18, 1825, and is a son of Henry and Margaret Reidenour, the father being a native of Arm- strong county, Pa., born about the year of 1793. (It will be here noticed that a change has been made in the spelling of the family name.) His grandfather was John Realenour of Pennsylvania, and was probably a Revolu- tionary soldier. His children were named as follows: John, David, Henry, Michael, Peter, George, Mary, Catherine, and two others whose names are not remembered-none of whom are now living.
Henry Reidenour, the father of our subject, was a cooper by trade, and at the age of nine- teen enlisted in the war of 1812, serving in the light horse cavalry against the British, oper- ating in the army of the northwest, under Gen. William Henry Harrison. Previous to his en- listment he had emigrated to Fairfield county, Ohio, and was among its earliest pioneers. At the close of the war he returned to Pennsyl- vania and married Margaret Bronthaver, a daughter of Adam Bronthaver, and to this marriage fourteen children were born: Jacob, Isaac, Nancy, Margaret, Israel (the subject of this sketch), Annie, Esther, Henry, Mary, William, Calvin, David, and two whe hed m
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ISRAEL RIDENOUR.
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OF PUTNAM COUNTY.
infancy. Of this large family of children but two are living, Israel, and Calvin of Liberty township. The mother was born in West- moreland county, Pa., about the year 1803, hier father being a native of Germany, who came to America in 1775 and enlisted in the Revolutionary army, in which he served seven vears, and after the close of the war settled in Westmoreland county, Pa., where he spent the remainder of his life. His wife died in November, 1857.
After his marriage, Henry Reidenour re- turned to Fairfield county, Ohio, where he pur- sued his trade and later engaged in the butcher business. He then purchased a farm on which he lived until 1833, when he joined the pio- neers of Putnam county, making the trip in wagons and bringing a herd of fifty-six cattle. Near the present site of Glandorf he took a claim of 120 acres of government land, on which he erected a log house. This was the first settlement made in the eastern part of Put- namn county. Later Mr. Reidenour sold his tract of land and purchased the homestead on the opposite side of the river. He made fre- quent trips to Tiffin and Piqua in order to ob- tain provisions for the settlement, using ox- teams for transportation. He was always an active, energetic man, and did mnuch toward the development of the country in which his entire interests centered. In religious faith he was a Presbyterian and in politics a democrat. His death occurred in 1848.
Israel Ridenour, the subject of this sketch, laid the foundation for his education in a little log school-house with puncheon benches in lieu of chairs to sit on, and adopted farming as a life occupation; he became a soldier in the Mexican war and served the cause valiantly. In 1856, he was married to Louisa Lutz, a daughter of George and Justina (Weaver) Lutz. Mrs. Ridenour was born in Fairfield county, Ohio, in 1838, and her parents were natives of
Maryland and early settlers in Fairfield county. Her death occurred in March, 1893. After his marriage Mr. Ridenour settled on a farm in Ottawa township, then sold this place and bought another farm in the same township, and in 1877 purchased his present home.
On June 20, 1895, Mr. Ridenour, married Mrs. Fannie Crone, widow of Isaiah Crone and a daughter of John V. and Susannah (Bear) Smith. Miss Smith-now Mrs. Ridenour- was born in Greensburg township, June 11, 1850, her parents being natives of Fayette and Putnam counties. She was married to Isaiah Crone in 1867, and ten children were born to them; John, Mary, Christian, Alice, Ella, Sylvia, Susannah, Edward, Nettie and Law- rence. Her husband was born in Seneca county, in 1839. His death occurred in March, 1891. Mr. Ridenour is a member of the Chris- tian church, of which he is a liberal supporter. He has always been a democrat in politics and a member of the Masonic order at Kalida. Mrs. Ridenour is a member of the Disciples' church and is an active worker in this society. Mr. Ridenour is conspicuously numbered among the prominent fariners of Perry town- ship-and is a broad-gauged, liberal-minded man-a good neighbor and greatly esteemed citizen, and it is to such men that the country owes much of its material prosperity as well as social standing.
HE ROBBINS FAMILY .-- The first member of this family known in Ohio was Jolin Robbins, a German, who came from Pennsylvania about the year 1818, and settled in Franklin county. He had married a Miss Watt in Pennsylvania, and they had born to them the following chil- dren: William, John, Thomas, Samuel, Dan- iel, Elizabeth (married), Jacob, Stilley, and
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BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY
Maria, who married Charles Garner. Both parents passed their lives in Franklin county.
Daniel Robbins, a member of the above enumerated family, was born in 1801, in North- umberland county, Pa., and when a young man was employed by the United States gov- erminent as paymaster, and in this capacity he visited the forts of the west and southwest for several years; later he was engaged in the mercantile business in Saint Louis, and in 1835 came to Ohio, located at Columbus, and fol- lowed his trade of carpenter until February, 1842, when he came to Putnam county and purchased 160 acres of land in section No. 6, Blanchard township. Of this tract he disposed of forty acres, retaining 120 for a homestead, which he converted into a fine farm. He mar- ried Phebe Darling, daughter of Mose Durling, of New Jersey, but now a resident of Delaware county, Ohio. To this union were born five children, viz: Elizabeth, married to Jackson Showers; Mary, deceased; Amanda, deceased; William and John. The father, Daniel Rob- bins, died in 1868, and his widow in 1876, both members of the Methodist Episcopal church of Leipsic, in which he was a class leader and steward. In politics he was first a whig and then a republican.
William Robbins, the eldest son of the above family, was born in Columbus, Ohio, October 21. 1839, and was a child when brought to Blanchard township, Putnam county, by his parents. He was reared on the home farm and educated in the common school of his district. In 1864 he enlisted, under the 100-day call for volunteers, in company B, One Hundred and Fiftieth Ohio volunteer in- fantry, and served out his term. In 1866-67 he was employed as a salesman by a Colum- bus firm, and then returned to the old home- stead. He has cleared off and improved the greater part of the place, and is now owner of eighty-eight and one-half acres ir his own
right. He married Amanda, daughter of Daniel Myers, a pioneer from Butler county, Pa. This union was favored with three children, viz: Annie (wife of William Dennis), Corydon and Ella. In politics Mr. Robbins is a republican, and with his wife is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church at Leipsic; he is also an Odd Fellow, and holds the office of N. G. and C. P.
Corydon Robbins, of the above family, was born in Union county, Ohio, November 15, 1862, received a collegiate education, but be- came a skillful farmer, and now has charge of the old homestead in Blanchard township, Put- nam county. He is a republican in politics, but not an office seeker. He married Miss Jennie Rayle, who has borne him one child, Florence. Mr. and Mrs. Robbins are members of the Methodist Episcopal church, conforming to its teachings in all particulars. The Robbins fam- ily, as may well be inferred from the foregoing statements, is one of the most highly respected in Putnam county.
NDREW ROCKEY is one of the pro- gressive and representative agricul- turists of Monroe township, Putnam county, Ohio. His farm is one of the best in this section of the country, he is well- to-do as regards the posession of this world's goods, and he is known as an honorable and respected citizen. His grandfather, Valentine Rockey, was a native of Germany, where he grew to manhood and married Some years thereafter he came to America, settling in Pennsylvania. Later he removed to Crawford county, Ohio, where he experienced the inci- dents and privations of pioneer life. He and wife were devout members of the Lutheran church, and were people who were widely known and highly esteemed. The grandfather was an old-line whig in politics, and had par-
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ticipated in the war of 1812, as well as in the wars of Germany.
Valentine Rockey, the father of our sub- ject, was also born in Germany, being a babe in his mother's arms when his parents emi- grated to this country. His education was a limited one and his whole life was passed upon the farm. He married Miss Catherine Lau- ringer, who was a native of Pennsylvania. They were married in Crawford county, Ohio, where they lived for some time, afterward re- moving to Seneca county, where they made for themselves a comfortable home on a farm of 120 acres which they had reclaimed from the wilderness. The mother was a devout member of the Lutheran church, and both were highly respected citizens. Four children were born to them, as follows: Caroline, de- ceased, formerly wife of Harry Boyman, Jacob, David and Andrew.
Andrew Rockey, the subject of this review, was the youngest of the family, and never knew the tender love and solicitude of a moth- er's care, she dying when he was quite young. He was born February 8, 1853, and in his youth secured a common-school education From the age of twelve years he has made his way in the world unaided, and has always fol- lowed the occupation of farming. He was united in marriage, April 12, 1874, in Seneca county, Ohio, to Miss Sarah Daup, who was born in Pennsylvania December 29, 1854, she being the daughter of Michael and Catherine (Winsinger; Daup, who came from Pennsyl- vania to Sandusky, Ohio. They afterward lived in Seneca county for eight years, and m 1882 came to their present farm in Monroe township, where they have since been promi nently identified with the affairs of this section Their farm home of 160 acres is one of the best in the township, upon which are good buildings created by Mr. Rockey himself, and being well drained and stocked. To this esti-
mable couple four children have been born, in order of birth as follows: Delbert, Chester, Ora V., and Ephraim E. Our subject is a strong republican, although he does not give much time to politics, preferring to devote his attention instead to his home and family. He has aided liberally in church work, and is a man who is thoroughly posted upon the affairs of the day. His life example is one which is worthy of emulation.
J OSEPH ROOF, mayor of Glandorf, Putnam county, Ohio. is the son of Marcus and Mary Ann Roof. Marcus, the father, was born in Prussia in 1810, was raised and educated in his native town, and learned the trade of carpenter. On com- ing to America he first settled in Cleveland, Ohio, where he followed his trade for some time, and thence removed with his family to Putnam county, settling near Glandorf. Here he engaged in contracting and building, and to his skill are due some of the finest buildings of the city. He also engaged in farming, in connection with his business of contractor, un- til a few years ago, when he retired, and now resides in Ottawa. He married in Cleveland, Ohio, and became the father of six children, as follows: Simon; Catherine; Joseph Ern- est; Henry; Joseph, the subject of this biog- rephy, and Ignatius, deceased --- the mother being now also deceased. Politically Mr. Roof has been a life long democrat. and in his re- ligious belief a consistent Catholic.
Joseph, the subject of our sketch, was born March 24, 1853, in the town of Glandorf. He received a common-school education, and early in life engaged in peddling notions, which he followed in connection with other occupa- tions until 1877, when he began dealing in hides, poultry, etc., shipping his products to eastern markets. He has continued in this
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business and the manufacture of cider up to the present time. In 1890 he purchased and remodeled his present residence in Glandorf. Politically, Mr. Roof is one of the leading democrats of the county, he has served many terms on the various county committees, and his sage counsel is ever for the common good. In 1894 he was elected mayor of Glandorf, an office which he now fills. On June 17, 1885, Joseph Roof was married to Miss Lizzie, daugh- ter of Bernard and Elizabeth Ramper, and this union has been blessed by the birth of four children, viz: Francis, Joseph, Alma and Rudolph.
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ENRY ROOSE, one of the substan- tial farmers of Jennings township, Putnam county, was born in Mahon- ing county, Ohio, July 2, 1829. His father, Frederick Roose, was born in Pennsyl- vania, was reared a farmer, and when a young man came to Ohio, being one of the pioneers of Stark county, where he married a Miss Bix- ler, a native of Virginia, of German descent, as was also her husband. To this union were born twelve children, of whom ten lived to reach the years of maturity and were born in the following order: Susan, John, Samuel, Michael, Henry, Annie, Elizabeth, Mary, Silas and Joseph-the elder four having Stark county, Ohio, as their place of nativity and the re- mainder claiming Mahoning county as their place of birth -- the father and mother having resided in the latter county for some years. Mr. Roose was largely engaged in the saw-mill business and also owned an extensive farm, on which he died when between fifty and sixty years of age. His son Silas served in the Ninth Indiana volunteer infantry during the late Civil war and took part in many battles -among them Pittsburg Landing, Murfrees- boro, Lookont Mountain and Nashville, being
once slightly wounded. He later served in Texas for awhile and was ever a faithful and active soldier.
Henry Roose, the subject of this sketch, was always a man of much reliance, and in July, when twenty years of age, left the pa- rental roof and for three years made his own way. through the world. In 1853, he returned to his father's farm, which was still all in the woods. He had, during his absence, married, May 1, 1851, Elizabeth Diller, who was born in Greene township, Franklin county, Pa., near Chambersburg, June 28, 1828, a daughter of Peter and Barbara (Lehman) Diller. Her father, Peter Diller, had come to Ohio in 1841. and settled in German township. Allen county, where he cleared up a farm from the forest and became one of the prominent citizens of the township. He was twice married and by his first union had born to him three children -Jacob, Mary and Susannah; by his second wife, who bore the maiden name of Barbara Lehman, were born Elizabeth, John, Nancy and Samuel. Mr. Diller lived to be seventy- five years of age and died a member of the Mennonite church, of which his wife was also a devoted member.
Some time after his marriage Mr Roose settled on his farm in Jennings township, Put- nam county, then in a deep wilderness, but which by diligence, hard work and presistent effort, he has transformed into one of the most fertile and handsome places in the township. He first lived here in a temporary shanty, which served him as a habitation until he conld erect a hewed-log house, and in the latter he lived until the erection of his present frame domicile. Seven children came to brighten his home, of whom four are still living, and are named Peter, George, Barbara and John E. Hle and wife are members of the Christian church, and in politics Mr. Roose is a demo- crat. He has served as justice of the peace
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OF PUTNAM COUNTY.
nine years, as assessor four years, and is at present township trustee, having served five years at different times and always having held the most implicit confidence of the people. He is a friend of public education and has been an active member of the school board for a great length of time, and is indeed public spirited in all respects. He favors good roads and is ever foremost in aiding all measures that tend to the public good. He has a fine farm of too acres and is one of the most ex- perienced agriculturists of his township and county, and he and family are honored for their morality and probity of character.
J OHN ROOSE, the popular druggist of Kalida, Ohio, is a son of Henry and Elizabeth (Diller) Roose, and was born in Jennings township, Putnam county, Ohio, September 4, 1869. The father was reared a farmer and carpenter, and in 1851 married Elizabeth Diller: Seven children resulted to the mion, of whom four are still living, viz. : Peter, a farmer of Jennings town- ship; George, also a farmer, of Jackson town- ship; Barbara, wife of J. L. Sawyer, farmer of Jennings township, and John our subject.
After marriage Henry Roose lived in Allen county for a year and then came to Putnam county, entered eighty acres of land in the woods, hewed ont a good home and added one tract of twenty acres in Jennings township. and forty acres in Jackson township, and here makes his home. He is a democrat in politics, and has served as township trustee, justice of the peace, township assessor and as member of the school board; he is secretary of the Christian church also, of which he is a devout member Mrs Elizabeth (Diller) Roose was born in Pomisylvania of German descent, and when thirteen years of age was brought to
Allen county, Ohio, by her parents, who bought and settled on a farm.
John Roose, our subject, was reared a farmer, received his preliminary education in the schools of Putnam county, and in 1887 attended the Ada university for one summer, then taught a term of school in Sugar Creek township, Putnam county, another in Jennings township, and returned to Ada in the summer of 1888; taught the same schools and attended the same college in 1889, and finished with the commercial course. The following winter he taught in Centre, Jennings township, returned to Ada in the summer of 1890, taught three terms in the same township, and in the summer of 1891 finished the cousre at Ada.
March 6, 1892, Mr. Roose married Estella Catherine Conaway, daughter of Basil and Rebecca (More) Conaway, to which union one child, Freddie Loraine, was born October 21, 1893. Mrs. Roose was born in Putnam county, Ohio, in 1875, her parents being also natives of the state. She was reared in the Christian church, but now affiliates with the Methodist Episcopal congregation. Her father is a mem- ber of the grange, and is also a member of the G. A. R., having served all through the late war; he is a republican in politics, and in religion adheres to the Christian church.
After marriage John Roose tanght one term of school, and then, in April, 1893, embarked in the drug business in Kalida, where he is doing a prosperous trade. Politically he is a demo- crat, and has held the office of justice of the peace since August, 1893, and has also been township treasurer since the spring of 1895. He is a member of the democratie county central committee and is very active in county politics. He is a member of Kalida lodge, No. 280, F. &. A. M., and of the Methodist Episcopal church, in which he is chorister, and for the past few years has been a Sunday- school teacher. He is well qualified for his
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present line of business, having studied phar- macy for the last two years of his attendance at the Ada university, and possessing an oblig- ing disposition and courteous, affable manners.
ILLIAM ROWER .- A few years be- fore the din of the Napoleonic wars had awakened all Europe from peaceful repose to the condition in which every state was in arms, there was born in Dresden, Saxony, Germany, on March 19, 1779, Christian Frederick Benjamin Rower, who was given an education such as German youths of that time received. He served in the army of Saxony in the Napoleonic wars, and on April 17, 1799, left the fatherland, ar- rived in America November 30, 1802, and set- tled near Pottsville, Pa. He was a distiller by trade, and followed that business in his new home. On November 12, 1807, he married Elizabeth Long, who was born in Pennsylva- nia February 11, 1790, of sterling Pennsylva- nia-Dutch parentage. Her father's name was Joseph Long. Elizabeth had been educated in the common schools of her native state, and was a member of the Baptist church, in which she took an active part; her husband was also a member of this church, and both were con- sistent Christians. The young married couple, about the time of the close of the war of 1812, crossed the mountains from Pennsylvania in a large wagon and settled in Franklin county, Ohio, and were among the very first pioneers of that county. Here he purchased a small tract of land, on which he lived until his death, September 20, 1826, his wife surviving him twenty years, dying June 10, 1846. Their family consisted of ten children: Rosanna, born October 6, 1808, deceased March 27, 1887; an infant; Sarah, born February 25, 1811, the deceased wife of John Cable, of Franklin county, her death occurring Novem-
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