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Below is a family biography included in Portrait and Biographical Album of Greene and Clark Counties, Ohio published by Chapman Bros., in 1890.  These biographies are valuable for genealogy research in discovering missing ancestors or filling in the details of a family tree. Family biographies often include far more information than can be found in a census record or obituary.  Details will vary with each biography but will often include the date and place of birth, parent names including mothers' maiden name, name of wife including maiden name, her parents' names, name of children (including spouses if married), former places of residence, occupation details, military service, church and social organization affiliations, and more.  There are often ancestry details included that cannot be found in any other type of genealogical record.

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THOMAS J. RIDENOUR. Among the early residents of Greene County are mentioned Henry and Mary A. (Hyland) Ridenour, who settled on a tract of wild land in Beaver Creek Township and proceeded to build up a homestead, endeavoring likewise to accumulate a competency. To them there was born May 24, 1848, he with whose name we introduce this biographical outline. He has practically grown up with the country, witnessing its growth and development with that interest only felt by the native-born citizen. He occupies a good position among his neighbors, being a man enjoying their confidence and esteem in a marked degree. He gives his political support to the Republican party, and for a period of seven years held the office of Township Assessor.

The father and mother of our subject were respectively of German and Irish descent, and the latter was born in Maryland. They were married in that State and came to this county from Knox County, this State, where they had sojourned for a brief time. They lived in Beaver Creek Township from 1840 until their decease. The father died in 1883 at the age of seventy-six years, having been born in 1807. The household circle included six children, viz: Ann, Patience, John, Vopton, and Thomas J. and Mary, twins.

The subject of this sketch has a fine education, having had the advantage of attending Antioch College four years. He taught penmanship one year, attaining to a high degree of proficiency and artistic skill in the use of the pen. He was first married, in 1872, to Catherine, daughter of Daniel M. and Maria (Wampler) Slump. She was born in Greene County in 1849, and died August 18, 1882, after a happy wedded life of ten years. She bore her husband four children, named respectively: Mary E., Theresa M., Gertrude E. and Maude A.

Mr. Ridenour contracted a second marriage August 29, 1889, with Miss Margaret, daughter of Thomas P. and Margaret Johnson, of this county. Mr. and Mrs. Johnson after their marriage settled in Greene County, and here their daughter Margaret was born. Mr. Ridenour’s farm is ninety-five acres in extent, being a choice body of land under a good state of cultivation. The proprietor gives to it his whole time and attention, having very little to do with political affairs, with the exception of casting his vote with the Republican party.

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This family biography is one of the many biographies included in Portrait and Biographical Album of Greene and Clark Counties, Ohio published by Chapman Bros., in 1890. 

View additional Greene County, Ohio family biographies here: Greene County, Ohio Biographies

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