Person Page - 277

     Christine Eloise Ridgely was born on 27 Dec 1908 at near Parkersburg, Richland County, Illinois.² She was the daughter of Arthur Edward Ridgely and Lenora Gaddey.¹ Christine Eloise Ridgely married Winfred James Warren on 18 Jul 1933.¹ Christine Eloise Ridgely appears in the Social Security Death Index as having died Sep 1986 with the last place of residence listed as Saint Paul, Ramsey County, Minnesota. Christine Eloise's SSN was issued in Minnesota. Also, her birth date is given as 27 Dec 1908.³ She died in Sep 1986 at age 77.³

     Clara E. Ridgely was born c 1863.² She was the daughter of Medad Reed Ridgely and Louisa Collins. Clara E. Ridgely died a 1880.³
     Besides being listed in her father's family in the 1880 census, she may also have been the Clara Ridgely, age 17, listed as servant in the house of Joe Updegraff, Fairview Twp., Labette Co., Kansas. This record shows she was born in Ill. but the birthplaces of both her parents are "unknown".

     Claude Vernon Ridgely was born on 29 Jan 1881.¹ He was the son of George Albert Ridgely and Martha Ann Madding.¹ Claude Vernon Ridgely married Bessie Maguire on 5 Jul 1911 at Mitchell, Davison County, South Dakota.^1,2 Claude Vernon Ridgely died on 11 Sep 1963 at age 82.¹
     He registered with the World War I Selective Service System on 7 Sep 1918 at Gary, Lake County, Indiana. He described himself as living at 560 Monroe Street, Gary, Indiana, age 37, born 29 Jan 1881, and his occupation was attorney at 609 Broadway in Gary. He was medium in height, slender in build, with blue eyes and had black hair. His closest relative was Bessie M. Ridgely also of 560 Monroe Street.³
Claude Vernon Ridgely appeared on the census of 7 Jan 1920 at 560 Monroe Street, Gary, Lake County, Indiana, as follows:
     Ridgley, Claud, head, 39, b. Ill, parents b. Ill., Lawyer
      , Bessie, wife, 32, b. South Dakota, parents b. in Ireland
      , Margaret, dau., 5, b. Indiana
      , Mary, dau., 4, b. Indiana
      , William, son, 2, b. Indiana
      , Helen, dau., 1 ?, b. Indiana.⁴
Claude Vernon Ridgely appeared on the census of 10 Apr 1930, as follows:
     Ridgely, Claude, head, 49, first married at 30, b. Ill., parents b. Ill., judge, Superior Court
      , Bessie, wife, 43, first married at 24, b. South Dakota, parents b. Ireland
      , Mary, dau., 14, b. Ind., father b. Ill., mother b. South Dakota
      , William, son, 13, b. Ind., father b. Ill., mother b. South Dakota
      , Helen, daughter, 11, b. Ind., father b. Ill., molther b. South Dakota
      , Robert, son, 8, b. Ind., father b. Ill., mother b. South Dakota.⁵
     Claude Vernon Ridgely registered with the Selective Service in 27 Apr 1942, among men born on or after 28 April 1877 and on or before Feb. 16, 1897. He said he was born in Richland County, Illinois on 29 Jan 1881 and gave his address as 532 Johnson Street, Gary, Lake County, Indiana. He was employed at Hodges Ridgely & Davis and his contact person was Mary Ridgely at 532 Johnson Street. He was described as 5' 10 1/2" tall, 160 pounds, light complexion, blue eyes and gray hair and listed "obvious physical characteristics that will aid in identification" as "none to my knowledge."⁶
          Claude Ridgely, age 66, and Bessie Ridgely, age 59, left San Francisco, California, on 6 March 1947, and arrived at Honolulu, Hawaiian Territory, on 12 March.⁷

     Clayborne Ira Ridgely was born on 20 Mar 1911.¹ He was the son of Dow A. Ridgely and Pearl C. Forney.¹ Clayborne Ira Ridgely married Alice Belle Musser on 24 Dec 1938.^1,3 Clayborne Ira Ridgely died on 22 Dec 2003 at age 92.⁴
     His obituary states:
     "Claybourne "Clay" Ridgely, a longtime resident of Schererville, Ind., plan commission member known for his devotion to the town, died Monday.
"Mr. Ridgely, 92, had been battling cancer for the past year and a half, according to a close friend, Art Schweitzer, and had left his planning post earlier this month because of his health problems.
"Mr. Ridgely successfully pushed for a new town hall and police station complex to be built in downtown Schererville, rather than on U. S. 30 near the Iliana Speedway, going door to door with Schweitzer to collect nearly 3,000 signatures in support of their plan.
"He was out in 10 degrees below zero getting signatures, and he caught pneumonia," Schweitzer said.
"When the town council awarded the construction contract in July 2001 for the new town hall on Joliet Avenue, Mr. Ridgely said, "This is one of the happiest days of my life."
"He was a World War II Navy veteran, who served on the USS Portland, Schweitzer said. Mr. Ridgely, a former teacher and Realtor, moved to Schererville in 1950. He later served as president of the Schererville Chamber of Commerce, and a street in the Northwest Indiana town is named for him.
"The Ridgely family is having private services, there will be no visitation."⁵
     Another obituary states:
"Claybourne I. Ridgely, 92, of Schererville, Indiana, passed away Monday, December 22, 2003. He is survived by his loving wife of 65 years, Alice; daughter, Regina (Thomas) Edwards of Dyer; son, Thomas (Patty) of Ft. Collins, CO; two grandchildren, Meredith Edwards and Emily Ridgely; brothers: Kenneth (Mabel) Ridgley [sic] and Daniel (Faye) Ridgely of Illinois; sister, Bertha Polzin of Michigan; numerous nieces and nephews. Private family service were [sic] held with Pastors Byron Kaiser and Abdulla Basaam officiating. At rest, Calumet Park Cemetery, Merrillville. Clay was a member of the First United Methodist Church of Hammond; retired employee of Combustion Engineering; member of Schererville Plan Commission for 25 years; former owner/operator of Ridgely Real Estate; former president of Schererville Chamber of Commerce; Veteran of the U. S. Navy, WWII. Memorial donations may be given to Hospice of the Calumet Area, 600 Superior Ave., Munster, IN 46321. Arrangements by Lincoln Ridge Funeral Home, 7607 W. Lincoln Ave., Schererville, IN. 219-322-6616."⁶

     Dale Bowlby Ridgely was born on 8 Mar 1900.¹ He was the son of Edwin A. Ridgely and Mattie Bowlby.¹ Dale Bowlby Ridgely married (2) Lilyanne Wallace.^1,2 Dale Bowlby Ridgely appears in the Social Security Death Index as having died 17 Jun 1992 with the last place of residence listed as San Antonio, Bexar County, Texas. Dale Bowlby's SSN was issued in Illinois. Also, his birth date is given as 8 March 1900.³ He was buried on 22 Jun 1992 at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery, San Antonio, Bexar County, Texas.^4,5
     He registered with the World War I Selective Service System on 12 Sep 1918 at Olney, Richland County, Illinois. He described himself as living on R. 1, Olney, Illinois, age 18, born 8 Mar 1900, and his occupation was farming for Addison B. Pennycuff of Route 1, Olney. He was medium in height, medium in build, with gray eyes and had black hair. His closest relative was Martha Pennycuff of R1, Olney.⁶
     Dale B. Ridgely is on the list of those graduating from Olney Township High School and Olney High School on 26 May 1922.⁷
      In 2008, John Newman wrote:
"I'm looking for more information on Dale B. Ridgely, and I found your page on Rootsweb. In St. Louis, MO, between 1927-1929 my grandmother, Myrtle Van Every, was married to someone with the surname Ridgely according to her personnel records from the Post Office where she worked. I have found a letter from her father that refers to her upcoming marriage to someone named Dale. Putting the two together, I found Dale Ridgely born in Richland, IL, about 150 miles from St. Louis, and thought he was a good possibility. Of course, it could be a coincidence of names. This was a decade before her marriage to my grandfather. Do you know if he was married prior to Lily Anne Wallace, or lived in St. Louis at the time? "
In support of this, I found Dale "Ridgeley" listed in the 1930 census as shown later.
Newmark replied that "Myrtle Van Every is in St. Louis, MO, listed as divorced. The column for age at first marriage is blank. (ED 96-169. Sheet 1B) The California census for Dale seems to match up, since he would have been 27 in 1927. I have no reason to believe there were any offspring of their marriage."
In a followup note, Newmark said: "I have found a copy of the divorce papers in my grandmother's boxes. Myrtle E. Van Every and Dale B. Ridgely were married in Oakland, California on April 30, 1927. They separated "on or about" July 19, 1927 and the divorce decree was on Oct. 14, 1927 in San Francisco -- to take effect one year later. The marriage was brief and there was no issue. The record number on the divorce decree is 185204, Superior Court of the State of California, in and for the city and county of San Francisco."
Dale Bowlby Ridgely appeared on the census of 11 Apr 1930, as follows:
     Ridgeley, Dale B., age 30, divorced, first married at age 27, b. U.S., parents b. U.S., officer in U.S. Army
He was living alone on Green Street, in assembly district 31, with a rent of $60/month.⁸
Dale Bowlby Ridgely appeared on the census of 23 Apr 1940 at 2437 39th Place, Washington, D. C., as follows:
     283 Ridgely, Dale B., head, 40, 4 yrs college, b. Illinois, Major in U. S. Army
      , Lillian M., wife, 33, one year of college, b. Central America,
      , Dale, 8, 2 yrs school, b. Hawaii
They were renting for $83/month. On 1 April 1935, all three had lived at Fishers Island, New York.⁹
     "Frankfurt, June 19 (S&S) -- Col. Dale B. Ridgely, dental surgeon of Northern Area Comd, is leaving Germany for an assignment at Ft. Ord, Calif. He has served as NACom dental surgeon and 86th Medical Det CO since September 1951.
"Ridgely entered military service in 1926, soon after graduation from St. Louis University. He is a 1934 graduate of the Medical Field Service School and attended the post-graduate course of the Army Dental School in 1935. He was promoted to his present rank in 1948.
"His Army career has taken him to the 11th Medical Regt, Hawaii; Walter Reed GH, Washington, D. C; Gorges Hospital, Panama; Japan, and Percy Jones GH, Battle Creek, Mich.
"Ridgely arrived in Germany in 1950 and was assigned as chief of dental service of the 97th GH until named Frankfurt Mil Post dental surgeon a year later."¹⁰
     "Brig Dale B. Ridgely, director of dental activities, Brooke Army Medical Center, Ft. Sam Houston, Tex., will retire on Aug. 31."¹¹ He was a Brigadier General (Retired) in the U. S. Army.¹ As of 1967, Dale Bowlby Ridgely lived at 442 E. Hathaway Drive, San Antonio, Bexar County, Texas.¹ As of Oct 1970, Dale Bowlby Ridgely lived at 5033 N. New Braunsfels, Apt. 300D, San Antonio, Texas.¹²

     Daniel John Ridgely was born on 6 Mar 1927.¹ He was the son of Dow A. Ridgely and Pearl C. Forney.¹ Daniel John Ridgely married Faye Marie Luther on 17 Mar 1946.^1,2 Daniel John Ridgely died on 27 Dec 2003 at Richland Memorial Hospital, Olney, Richland County, Illinois, at age 76.³ He was buried on 30 Dec 2003 at Oak Hill Cemetery, Parkersburg, Richland County, Illinois.^4,5
     He graduated on 26 May 1943 from Parkersburg High School, Parkersburg, Richland County, Illinois.⁶
     Daniel Ridgely retired from the Richland County Board in November, 2002, and was given a plaque recognizing his sixteen years of service. He had decided not to run for another term because of his health. He had been elected to the board on 4 Nov. 1986. Prior to that time he had served on the East Richland School District Board of Education. He had missed only one county board meeting in 15 years before he became sick in 2001. He had served as board chairman from Dec. 4, 1990 - Dec. 1, 1992 and from Dec. 5, 1994 - Dec. 1, 1996. In 1995 he was appointed to the Public Building Commission and served as its chairman. He served on the Richland Memorial Hospital, Inc. Board of Directors from Dec. 10, 1996 - Sept. 30, 1998. Many hospital projects were completed during his tenure, including restructuring the county hospital to a not-for-profit hospital. He was also instrumental in renovating the county court house to meet American Disabilities Act requirements.⁷
     
     His funeral card provides the following information:
In Loving Memory
Daniel John Ridgely
Born: March 6, 1927
Died: December 27, 2003
Services: Parkersburg United Methodist Church 10 A. M., Tuesday, December 30, 2003
Officiating: Reverence Terry W. Weavil
Interment: Oak Hill Demetery
Casket Bearers: Brandon Warren, Brian Grove, Justin Warren, Miles Warren, Jeremiah Fleming, Greg Powers, Jordon Ridgely
Honorary Casket Bearers: Philip Rose, Charles Hughes, Howard Clodfelter, Jim Wisner, Howard Richey, Ed Clodfelter.⁴
     His obituary states:
     "Daniel John Ridgely, 76, of Parkersburg, died at 7:06 a. m. Saturday, December 27, 2003, at Richland Memorial Hospital in Olney.
"Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p. m. today at Summers-Kistler Funeral Home in Olney. Funeral services will be at 10 a. m. Tuesday at Parkersburg United Methodist Church.
"Burial will be in Oak Hill Cemetery in Parkersburg.
"Mr. Ridgely was born on March 6, 1927, in Richland County, the son of Dow and Pearl (Forney) Ridgely. He married Faye Marie Luther on March 17, 1946. She survives.
"He was a retired farmer. He was a former member of Walnut Grove Church. He joined Parkersburg United Methodist Church and attended Moravian Church in West Salem. He was a lifelong farmer; drove a bus for 17 years for East Richland School District; was a charter member of Parkersburg Ruritan Club; served as mayor of Parkersburg; served on cemetery boards for Ridgely and Oak Hill cemeteries; served as treasurer of the Parkersburg Chowder; served as Richland County Board member from 1986 to 2002, of which he was chairman from 1990 to 1992 and from 1994 to 1996; served on Public Building Commission and and was chairman when the courthouse was renovated; and served on the Richland Memorial Hospital Board from 1986 to 1998.
"Mr. Ridgely is survived by his wife, Faye Ridgely, of Parkersburg; five children, Monica Jane Powers and her husband, Pat, of Mattoon, LeeAnn Warren and her husband Kent, of Clay City, Terry Fleming and her husband, Ken, of Olney, Jan Ridgely and his wife, Lisa, of Parkersburg, and Tammy Clark, of Olney; a brother, Kenneth Ridgely, of Olney; a sister, Bertha Polzin, of Saginaw, Mich; a brother-in-law, John M. Luther, of Findlay, Ohio; and 14 grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.
"He was preceded in death by his parents, a son, Gary, a daughter Sheryl, a son-in-law, Dennis Grove, one brother and three sisters.
"Memorials may be made to Richland Memorial Hospital Foundation or Oak Hill Cemetery Fund."³

     Davidge Griffith Ridgely was born on 17 Feb 1794.¹ He was the son of Henry Ridgely and Rachel Griffith.
     He was living out of the state of Maryland in 1840. There is, however, a David Ridgely, age 40-50, listed in the 1840 census of Anne Arundel County, Maryland. In the 1850 census, a David Ridgely, age 57, with Ann, age 54, and several children are listed in Washington, DC. I do not have enough information to connect them, however.

     Della Ann Ridgely was born on 25 Feb 1888.^1,2 She was the daughter of Russel R. Ridgely and Margaret Jane Keen.¹ Della Ann Ridgely married (1) George Paul Koertge, son of Peter Christian August Koertge and Sarah Koehler, on 23 Oct 1907 at Richland County, Illinois. He was 24, she was 20.^1,3,4 Della Ann Ridgely died on 6 Jan 1947 at age 58.⁵ She was buried on 8 Jan 1947 at Moravian Cemetery, West Salem, Edwards County, Illinois.^6,7
     Her obituary states:
     "Mrs. Della Koertge, age 58, the wife of George Koertge, passed away yesterday afternoon at the family home in Bonpas township following a short illness.
"Mrs. Koertge is survived by her husband, five daughters and three sons. Also surviving is one sister, Mrs. Clark Clodfelter of Bonpas township, and two brothers, Arthur Ridgeley [sic] and Ralph Ridgely of Bonpas township.
"Funeral services will be held Wednesday afternoon at the West Salem Evangelical United Brethren church with Rev. Hall in charge and interment will be in the Moravian cemetery in West Salem.
"The body was removed this afternoon from the King Funeral Home in West Salem to the Koertge home in Bonpas township, where it will remain until time for the services."⁸

     Dora May Ridgely was born on 25 Jun 1890 at Richland County, Illinois.^2,3 She was the daughter of Russel R. Ridgely and Margaret Jane Keen.¹ Dora May Ridgely married Clark Osman Clodfelter, son of Mary Louise "Lucy" Yonaka, on 28 Jan 1914 at Richland County, Illinois;
     "Miss Dora Ridgley & Clark Clodfelter m. Jan. 28 1914 at bride's parents, Mr. and Mrs. Russell Ridgley. The groom is son of Mr. & Mrs. Ed Clodfelter."^4,5 Dora May Ridgely died on 28 Dec 1948 at Parkersburg, Richland County, Illinois, at age 58.^1,6 She was buried at Walnut Grove Cemetery, Bonpas Township, Richland County, Illinois.⁷

     Doris Naomi Ridgely was born on 3 Mar 1913 at the family home, Bonpas Township, Richland County, Illinois.^2,3 She was the daughter of Ira Oscar Ridgely and Maranda Bowers.¹
     Doris Naomi Ridgely married Robert Lee Olds, son of Bryant Olds and Anna Maria Sophia Schmidt, on 24 Mar 1934 at Kentland, Newton County, Indiana.^4,5 Doris Naomi Ridgely died on 5 Jun 2009 at Spartanburg, Spartanburg County, South Carolina, at age 96. She was cremated and her cremains were buried on 1 Aug 2009 at Walnut Grove Cemetery, Bonpas Township, Richland County, Illinois.⁶
     She kept one of her childhood dolls all her life and this is the explanatory note she attached to her:
"This doll is 'Mamie', one of my earliest dolls. She has a home-made body. Her head originally had 'sort of shoulders' with holes, so head could be sewn to the body. One day when Leah was planting sweet peas, I had my dolls on a blanket nearby. The hoe fell on Mamie, and when I picked her up, her head fell back. The hoe had broken her. I felt so badly about it. Mother put a cloth in the head, leaving it extended to outside for sewing, and poured sealing wax into the head. When the wax cooled, she sewed the head on, and I had my doll again. The slip and underwear may be some of her early clothes, but I think Mother (maybe someone else) made the hose & lace dress later. Doris Olds, 1980."⁷
     Doris attended District 69 school, called Red Head, less than one-half mile north of her home. Her teachers were:
Mr. Dale Wolfe, 1st grade, 1919-1920
Roby Libke, 2nd grade, a woman, 1920-1921
Doris skipped 3rd grade
Jess Shipley, 4th grade, 1921-1922
Jess Shipley, 5th grade, 1922-1923
Addie Hall, 6th grade, 1923-1924
Addie Hall stayed at the Ridgely home. Leah was in school for a while this year, but dropped out and returned the next. This was the year that Oscar's mother also lived with them (and died there).
Ed (Edwin) Bowers, 7th grade, 1924-1925
Harry Higgins, 8th grade, 1925-1926
Harry Higgins, 7th grade, 1926-1927
Belle Williams, 8th grade, 1927-1928
Belle Williams had been a student of Maranda Bowers.
Doris repeated the 7th and 8th grade. She does not feel that this was an unusual thing to do. She was too young to leave grade school. She supposes other Ridgely children --- and some other families also -- did the same thing but is not sure which ones.⁸ In September, 1928, Doris Ridgely, age 15, registered as a first year student, for fall term at Parkersburg High School where Ray R. Smith was the teacher.⁹
     Doris, after completing the eight grades at Red Head School and attending one year at Parkersburg High School, followed the pattern set by her sisters and went to Chicago in 1929 to share an apartment with her brother George and sisters Lois and Leah and attend Lewis Institute.⁴ She appeared on the census of 15 Apr 1930 in the household of George Howard Ridgely at 3523 Congress Street, Ward 29, Chicago, Cook County, Illinois.¹⁰
     
      TEACHING.
     The school term at Kimmel began on 31 Aug 1942 and Doris Olds taught for eight months for $100/month. Her board of directors were Walter Gardner, Director, Lowell Steuber, President, and Wm. Lathrop, Clerk. The pupils were: grade 3 -- Walter Stadge, Danny Olds; grade 4 -- Pauline Doty; grade 5 -- Joan Fritschle; grade 6 -- Kendall Doty, Donovan Lathrop; grade 7 -- Virginia Steuber, Vera McNair, Cecil Stadge, and Edward Gardner.¹¹ Her next school term began 30 Aug 1943 and she taught at Pleasant Valley for an eight month term at $880. Her board of directors were: Estes Heckler, Director; Orry Anderson, President; William Conour, Clerk. The students were: first grade -- John Olds; fourth grade -- Danny Olds; sixth grade -- Rosemary Arnold; eighth grade -- Rosetta Anderson, Barbara Anderson, Virginia Conour, and Esther Milone. She noted "Danny and John Olds are leaving this school at the end of the third week. Because of losing two grades so soon I have not combined or alternated classes." [Danny and John had been exposed to measles but were allowed to attend Pleasant Valley School where all the students had already had that disease.]¹¹
     In 1972, Doris was nominated to receive the Phi Kappa Delta Distinguished Service Award in Public School Administration. She was one of the nominees selected from the southern thirty-three counties of Illinois and award ceremonies were held at Southern Illinois University on 7 October. "Doris Olds has enjoyed a long and faithful tenure in the teaching profession, all[sic] of which has been in the Calhoun schools. She has served as a teacher in rural schools of the area and in the Calhoun High School before her appointment as principal of the Calhoun Elementary School."¹²
     On 28 Jun 1959, they were in Circle, Alaska, on the Yukon River, "the end of the road", northernmost point by highway on the North American Continent.¹³
     "Mrs. Doris Olds, B. S. 1934, Lewis Institute, M. Ed. University of Illinois, 1957, has announced her retirement from teaching. The last 26 years of her 31 years of service have been in the position of principal of Calhoun school. She was the only remaining in-service administrator who was in administration service when East Richland Community Unit was begun. In 1972, Gamma Lamda Chapter of Phi Delta Gamma honored Mrs. Olds with a service award dinner meeting at Southern Illinois University for thirty years of service in teaching and administration.
"Mrs. Olds began her teaching career at Kimmel School in 1942. Teaching three succeeding years in Calhoun High School gave her a grade 1-11 experience span.
"East Richland Education Association, Illinois Education Association, National Education Association and Illinois Association of School Administrators are her professional organizations and memberships.
"Dr. Dan W. Olds, a son, is a physics professor at Wofford College, Spartanburg, South Carolina. John Olds, a son, is a highway construction engineer in Springfield, Illinois.
"The faculty and staff at Calhoun school presented Mrs. Olds with luggage at a surprise coffee. The Calhoun PTO awarded her with a watch at the promotional exercises June 1, where her husband Bob surprised her with 31 red roses, one for each year of her succesful career. The graduates gave her a corsage and a cake which they shared."¹⁴
      POST-RETIREMENT.
A few years after retiring, Doris and Bob sold their home at the north edge of Calhoun, Illinois, where they had lived for 32 years, and moved to Leesburg, Florida (Feb. 1977). In May, 1988, as Bob's health deteriorated, they moved to White Oak Estates in Spartanburg, South Carolina. On July 4, 2003, Doris moved into an assisted living apartment at Eden Terrace, also in Spartanburg.¹⁵
     Although Doris was raised in the Church of the Brethren at Walnut Grove, Bonpas Township, Richland County, Illinois, where her parents were members, her church affiliation as an adult was with the United Methodist Church. As of Jan 2007, Doris Naomi Olds lived at Suite C102, Eden Terrace, 2780 East Main Street, Spartanburg, Spartanburg County, South Carolina.
     Her obituary states:
     "Doris Ridgely Olds
"SPARTANBURG SC -- Doris R. Olds, 96, of Eden Terrace, Spartanburg, died Friday, June 4, 2009, at Mary Black Memorial Hospital. Born March 3, 1913 in Bonpas Township, Richland County, IL, she was the daughter of the late Oscar and Maranda Bowers Ridgely. After attending Red Head School and Parkersburg High School in Richland County, she continued her education at Lewis Institute in Chicago, where she graduated with a Bachelor of Science Degree in 1934. In that same year, she married Robert L. Olds whom she had met at Lewis Institute. After living for a time in Ohio and Arizona, they returned to her native county in 1941; and in the fall of 1942, she began her teaching career in the public schools of the county. In 1957 Doris earned a Master's Degree in Education from the University of Illinois and continued teaching until 1973, when she retired as principal and teacher at the Calhoun Grade School. She and Robert moved to Leesburg, FL, in 1977, and to Spartanburg, in 1988. Doris was of the Methodist faith.
"Robert died in Spartanburg in 1991. Doris was the youngest, longest living, and last survivor of the six children of her parents. She is survived by two sons, Dan W. Olds and his wife Betty of Spartanburg, SC, and John R. Olds and his wife Peggy of Springfield, IL; four grandchildren, Linda Burrell of Moore, SC, John R. Olds and his wife Melinda of Dunwoody, GA, Tracy Keen and her husband Greg of Chatham, IL, and Tricia Burke and her husband Kevin of Chatham, IL, six great-grandchildren; two step-great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.
"A memorial service and burial will be in Walnut Grove Cemetery in Bonpas Township, Richland County, IL, at a later date,
"Memorials may be made to the Walnut Grove Cemetery Fund, c/o Karen Stremme, 304 North Oak Tree Road, Parkersburg, IL, 62452."¹⁶ The family gathered for a memorial service at the interment of her cremains in Walnut Grove Cemetery on 1 Aug 2009.¹⁷

     Dorothy Eilene Ridgely was born on 22 May 1918.¹ She was the daughter of Charley Henry Ridgely and Matilda Edson.¹ Dorothy Eilene Ridgely died on 3 Jul 1919 at age 1.¹ She was buried at Mound Valley Cemetery, Mound Valley, Labette County, Kansas.²

     Dow A. Ridgely was born on 30 Nov 1879.³ He was the son of Ira Ridgely and Nancy Ellen Jones.² Dow A. Ridgely married Pearl C. Forney, daughter of Delila Berg, on 6 Nov 1907 at Richland County, Illinois.^3,4 Dow A. Ridgely died on 31 Dec 1975 at age 96⁵ and was buried on 2 Jan 1976 at Walnut Grove Cemetery, Bonpas Township, Richland County, Illinois.^6,7
     He registered with the World War I Selective Service System on 12 Sep 1918 at Olney, Richland County, Illinois. He described himself as living on RR1, Parkersburg, Richland County, Illinois, age 38, born 30 Nov 1879, and his occupation was minister and farming for himself. He was medium in height, medium in build, with blue eyes and had dark hair. His closest relative was Pearl C. Ridgely also of RR 1, Pakersburg.⁸
     Dow Ridgely of Parkersburg is listed among the Richland County rural school teachers for the 1921-22 school year. He was assigned to Grass Valley and had a salary of $65.⁹ Dow was a school teacher and an active leader in the Church of the Brethren. He was my school teacher for a year at Kimmel School. His beard, black Brethren dress and strong moral code created a lasting memory. He was a very conscientious man who paid careful attention to detail and spent his life in unassuming service to the community.
In Sept. 1966 as I began collecting material on all descendants of William Henry Ridgely, I found that he had already prepared material on most of the descendants of Orrick Ridgely. This material and his continuing interest, encouragement and aid kept the project alive. As a family patriarch by this time, he was able to locate and make contact with representatives in the various branches of the family who were willing to help by providing further data.
     His obituary states:
"Dow A. Ridgely, 96, of Parkersburg, passed away Wednesday at his home.
Surviving are two daughter [sic], Ilene Ridgely of Parkersburg and Mrs. Russell Polzin of Saginaw, Mich; three sons, Claybourne Ridgely of Schererville, Ind.[,] Kenneth Ridgely and Daniel Ridgely, both of Parkersburg; 13 grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren.
Services were held at 1:30 this afternoon at the Walnut Grove Church of the Brethren, with burial in the church cemetery.
The Ingram Funeral Home, West Salem, was in charge.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Pearl Forney Ridgely, in 1966, and two daughters Carrol[sic] and Irene.
Mr. Ridgely was an elder and minister of the Walnut Grove Church of the Brethren, Martin Creek, and LaMotte Prairie churches.
He was Secretary of the Church of the Brethren in Southern Illinois, and a member of the Historical Committee for seven years.
He was a farmer and taught school in rural schools for 27 years.
Mr. Ridgely was born in Bonpas Township Nov. 30, 1879.
The greater part of his life was spent in Richland County.
Those wishing to make contributions in his memory are asked to do so in the form of donations to CROP."⁵

     Edgar Alva Ridgely married Iva Blanche Huddleston.¹ Edgar Alva Ridgely was born in Jul 1879.² He was the son of George Albert Ridgely and Martha Ann Madding.¹ Edgar Alva Ridgely died c 1935.³
     He registered with the World War I Selective Service System on 10 Sep 1918 at Gary, Lake County, Indiana. He described himself as living at 428? Van Buren, Gary, Indiana, age 39, born 19 July 1879, and his occupation was as a self employed druggist in Gary. He was tall in height, slender in build, with blue eyes and had light brown hair. His closest relative was his wife Iva Blanche.⁴
Edgar Alva Ridgely appeared on the census of Feb 1920 at West 6th Avenue, Gary, Lake County, Indiana, as follows:
     Ridgely, Edgar Alva, age 43
      , Iva Blanche, age 36
      , Bonnie Mae, age 13, daughter
      , Martha, age 11, daughter.⁵
Edgar Alva Ridgely and Iva Blanche Ridgely appeared on the census of 10 Apr 1930 at West 6th Avenue, Gary, Lake County, Indiana, as follows:
     Ridgley, Edgar A., age 50, 1st marr. at age 26
      , Iva B, age 46, 1st marr. at age 22
      , Jean, age 7, daughter
      , Martha A, mother, age 78, 1st marr. at age 22.⁶

     Edna G. Ridgely was born in 1878.³ She was the daughter of William Henry Ridgely and Irene E. Chittenden. Edna G. Ridgely married James L. Ward on 23 Apr 1896 at Crawford County, Kansas.⁴ Edna G. Ridgely died in 1964³ and was buried at Girard Cemetery, Girard, Crawford County, Kansas.³
     Edna G. Ridgely and James L. Ward appeared on the census of 1900 at household of Dennis J. Stower, Pittsburg, Crawford County, Kansas. James L. Ward was a step-son, b. Ark. in Feb. 1874, age 26 and married for four years. He was a R. R. watchman. Edna Ward is listed as a boarder, age 22, b. Sept. 1877, married for four years and as the mother of one child.⁵ Although the child was still living, it was not with the family and I have not located him in 1900.
Edna G. Ridgely and James L. Ward appeared on the census of 1910 at Pittsburg, Crawford County, Kansas. James L. Ward, age 34, was a machinist for the K. C. Southern. He and Edna had each been married one time, for 14 years. She was age 32, had one child and that one was still living. She was born in Kansas. Their son Lewis J. was age 13, b. in Kansas.⁶ Edna Ward, Pittsburg, Kansas, is listed as one of the heirs of Lloyd Ridgely.⁷
Edna G. Ridgely and James L. Ward appeared on the census of 1920 at Pittsburg, Crawford County, Kansas, as follows: She was age 42, b. in Kansas, and he was age 45, b. Arkansas. Their son Lewis was age 22, b. in Kansas.⁸
Edna G. Ridgely and James L. Ward appeared on the census of 1930 at Pittsburg, Crawford County, Kansas. She is listed as Edna G. Ward, age 51, born in Kansas, parents born in Ill., and, at age 18, had married James L. Ward, when he was 21. He is listed as age 54.⁹ Louis is not listed with the family and the mostly likely 1930 record I have found for him in the census of Hildago, Texas which shows a Lewis J. Ward, age 32, first married at age 25, born in Kansas, father born in Kansas, mother born in Arkansas. His wife was Ida M., age 36, first married at age 29, b. in Kansas. Also in this family were two sons, Robert L., age 1 (?) and Paul D., age 5, both born in Kansas. Emma E. Fogelberg, age 64, was the widowed mother-in-law, born in Illinois.⁶

     Edwin A. Ridgely was born on 24 Jul 1861.⁴ He was the son of Abel Ridgely and Elizabeth L. Clodfelter.^2,3 Edwin A. Ridgely married Mattie Bowlby. Edwin A. Ridgely died on 30 Oct 1900 at age 39.⁴ He was buried at Marion Church Cemetery, Edwards County, Illinois.⁴
     Edwin and Mattie Ridgely are on the membership list of Marion Church, Edwards County, Illinois where they were added about 1898 or 1899. A note after his name says "Suicide October 30, 190?".⁵
Edwin A. Ridgely and Mattie Ridgely appeared on the census of 20 Jun 1900 at Madison Township, Richland County, Illinois, as follows:
     301/314 Ridgely, Edwin A., head, b. July 1861, 38, marr. 4 yrs., b. Ill., parents b. Ill., farmer
      , Mattie H., wife, b. Mar. 1873, 37, marr. 4 yrs, 2 children, 2 living, b. Colorado, father b. Ohio, mother b. Kentucky
      , Joy, daughter, b. Sept. 1896, 3, b. Ill., father b. Ill., mother b. Colorado
      , Dale, son, b. Mar. 1900, 2/12, b. Ill., father b. Ill., mother b. Colorado.⁶
     His obituary states: "Edwina Ridgley [sic] of Parkersburg died October 30, 1900 aged 39 years, 3 months and 6 days."⁷

     Edwin Reed Ridgely was born on 9 May 1844 at Wabash County, Illinois.^1,2 He was the son of William Simmons Ridgely and Ann Eliza Crowell. Edwin Reed Ridgely married Elizabeth Frazier on 1 Sep 1903.³ Edwin Reed Ridgely died on 23 Apr 1927 at age 82⁴ and was buried at Girard Cemetery, Girard, Crawford County, Kansas.⁵
     "HON. EDWIN REED RIDGELY, son of William S. Ridgely and Ann Eliza Crowell Ridgely, was born May 9, 1844, near Lancaster, Wabash County, ILL. His parents were farmers, and he shared the lot of a pioneer farmer's son; helping to clear away the timber, enlarging the farm, replacing the log cabin in which he was born with a brick dwelling, and constructing barns. His education was acquired during the few weeks of winter weather at the district school in the village of Lancaster. At the age of eighteen, August 12, 1862, he enlisted in Company C as a private, immediately going with his company into active service, sharing its fate and that of the regiment without asking or receiving furlough or leave of absence to the end of the war; in the meantime he was promoted to sergeant. During the entire three years his company was never under the enemy's fire without his presence, rifle in hand, doing his share of the fighting. Sergeant Ridgely had a thrilling experience at the battle of Nashville. While the Union lines were charging the enemy's works and a Confederate battery immediately in front of the 115th was pouring shot and shell into its ranks, a shell struck in front of his position, throwing much earth against him, knocking him down and leaving him for a time unconscious. After some minutes he proceeded to rejoin his regiment, which had continued the charge, and was then halted about 400 feet in advance. As he crawled forward to his company his comrades expressed astonishment, as they supposed the shell had cut his body in two. After leaving the army he spent a short time with his parents, then participated with others in a contract to build a large school house at Olney, learning the brick mason's trade while thus engaged. Later he attended school at Batavia, Ill., but his health failing, he removed to Girard, Kan., and with his brother Stephen R. Ridgley, engaged in general mercantile business, which they have pursued almost to the present time. In the meantime he carried on the cattle business, making several trips over the trail to and from Texas, California, Oregon and Washington. In 1896 he was unanimously nominated by the People's party as its candidate for Congress for the 3d Kansas District, and was also nominated by the Democratic party, and after a heated campaign, elected by 4,500 majority. He was nominated and re-elected in 1898, and is now, in 1900, serving in the 56th Congress. At the time of the Civil War he was an abolition Republican, but joined the Greenback party in 1876, because of the financial question, and has continued with its successor, the People's party, and steadily grown more and more positive and favorable to its policy. His present residence is at Pittsburg, Kan."⁶
     On 18 Aug 1862, Edwin R. Ridgeley joined the Christian Church at Round Prairie, Wabash County, by confession.⁷
     On 8 Oct. 1862, the Mt. Carmel Register reported a letter from Capt. David Williams of Co. C, 115th Regt. Ill. Volunteers, under Col. J. H. Moore who stated: Only two of our company were rejected -- Heman Brines of Wabash co. and Jacob Clodfelter of Edwards co. -- G. L. Utter, 2nd Lt., Edwin Utter, 4th Sargt.,Edwin Ridgley, 3rd corpl., Richard Utter, 8th corpl. Franklin Brines, Geo. H. Higgins, John Higgins, Geo. W. Litherland, Wm. J. Litherland, were privates (all these from Wabash Co.) Privates Allen Clodfelter and Emanual Clodfelter were from Edwards co. Letter dated 18 Sept. 1862 at Camp Butler, Ill.⁸
Edwin Reed Ridgely appeared on the census of 1870 at Girard, Crawford County, Kansas, as follows:
     Ridgely, Edwin R., 24 Grocer( Ret.), b, Illinois
      , Stephen S., 28, occupation Grocer b. Illinois probably indicated by a wavy line
      , Lizzie, 26⁹, keeping house, probably born in Illinois
     Campbell, Benjamin P., Lawyer, b. Kentucky
     Bosworth, Milas A., 28, carpenter, b. Mass.¹⁰
     He was discharged from service 11 June 1865 (enlisted 8 Aug. 1862) at Nashville, Tenn.¹¹
Relatives in Illinois recall that he made at least one trip from Kansas to visit them. [Miss Arna Michael recalled one such visit.] He married but had no children.¹²
Edwin Reed Ridgely appeared on the census of 1885 at Girard, Crawford County, Kansas, as follows:
     E. R. Ridgely, 41, single, merchant
     Heneretta Parish, 32, single.¹³
     "RIDGELY, Edwin Reed, a Representative from Kansas; born near Lancaster, Wabash County, Ill., May 9, 1844; attended district school in the winter months; during the Civil War enlisted as a private in Company C, One Hundred and Fifteenth Regiment, Illinois Volunteer Infantry, in 1862; promoted to sergeant and served until the end of the war; moved to Girard, Kans., in 1869 and engaged in general merchandising and in agricultural pursuits; left the Republican Party in 1876 because of its financial policy; lived in Ogden, Utah, from 1889 to 1893 and then returned to Kansas; elected as a Populist to the Fifty-fifth and Fifty-sixth Congresses (March 4, 1897-March 3, 1901); was not a candidate for renomination in 1900; resumed agricultural pursuits in Mulberry, Crawford County, Kans; died in Girard, Kans., April 23, 1927; interment in Girard Cemetery."⁵
      Congressman Edwin Reed Ridgely, whose home is in Crawford county, Kansas, was born near Lancaster, in this county, and lived there until in 1869. He served during the war in Company C, 115th Illinois Infantry, a company that was entirely made up in this county. Mr. Ridgely is a free silver man, and was elected in 1896 by a fusion of the Democratic and People's Party votes. He has a number of relatives in this county.¹⁴
     "I have some additional information on Edwin R. Ridgely. During his term in the 55th Congress, my grandmother Alice Root served as his secretary. She insists that Edwin did not run for reelection in 1898. After his term, Edwin became involved in various financial speculations, and eventually lost a great deal of money. He visited the Panama Canal shortly after it was filled with water. (I have seen a letter Edwin wrote which was published in an Erie, Kansas, newspaper, but I have been unable to locate this letter recently.) My grandmother remembers very little about Edwin's wife, except that her maiden name was Frazer, and she had been a journalist."¹⁵
Edwin Reed Ridgely and Elizabeth Frazier appeared on the census of 10 May 1910 at Washington Township, Crawford County, Kansas, as follows:
"Ridgely, Edwin R., age 66, married once, for 6 years, b. Illinois, father b. Ohio, m. b. New York, general farmer
Elizabeth F., 42, married once for 6 years, 0 children, 0 living, b. Penn., father b. Va., mother b. Ohio.¹⁶
Edwin Reed Ridgely and Elizabeth Ridgely appeared on the census of 1915 at Washington Township, Crawford County, Kansas, as follows:
     E. R. Ridgely, 71, male, b. Ill., came to Kansas from Ill., farmer
     Elizabeth , 45, female, b. PA, came to Kansas from PA.¹⁷
     Legal notices titled "Alias Summons" appeared in the Ogden [Utah] Standard-Enquier on 12 June 1946, 17 Mar 1947, 24 Nov 1947, 1 Dec 1947, and 22 Dec 1947 for the purpose of clearing title to some lots in Ogden.
In the first, plaintiff Thomas B. Farr named the following defendants: J. Edwin Root, Martha E. Greer, Alice R. Bullock, Elmo E. Ridgely, Edna Ward, Annie E. Root, Henrietta R. Green, Mary T. Ridgely, Robin Frazier, John Frazier, Mary Freeland, Emma Schrivner, Robert L. Haughey, Robert P. Haughey, Lucious W. Moody, Mary A. Chapin, Nicholas W. Bethel and Jane Doe Bethel, his wife, Clement L. Darling, George King and Andrew Weir, if living, and if any or all of said defendants are deceased, then their and each of their unknown executors, administrators, assigns, heirs, devisees, legatees and creditors; and all other persons unknown claiming any right ot title or interest or lien upon the real property ... ".¹⁸
     In the second, plaintiff Agnes J. Behling named defendants J. Edwin Root and Jane Doe Root, his wife; Martha E. Greer, Alice E. Bullock, Elmo E. Ridgely (sometimes spelled Ridgeley) and Jane Doe Ridgely, his wife; Edna Ward; Emma Schrivner, C. C. Smith and Jane Doe Smith, his wife, all unknown heirs at law; E. R. Ridgely (sometimes spelled Ridgeley); Elizabeth F. Ridgely, his widow, all of whom are deceased, and all persons unknown, claiming any right, title . . . ".¹⁹
     A legal notice of summons appeared in the Ogden [Utah] Standard-Examiner on 13 Feb 1954, stating:
"In the District Court of Weber County, State of Utah, Heber G. Jacobs and Erma V. Jacobs, Plaintiffs, vs. J. Edwin Root in his own right and as trustee under the last will and testament of Edwin R. Ridgely, also known as E. R. Ridgely, deceased; Martha E. Greer, also known as Martha E. Geer; Alice R. Bullock; Elmo E. Ridgely; Edwin [probably my note should say Edna] Ward; Emma Scribner; Jane Doe Root, wife of defendant J. Edwin Root; Jane Doe Ridgely, wife of defendant Elmo E. Ridgely; each of said defendants if living and if deceased, the unknown heirs, devisees, legatees, assignees, executors, administrators and creditors of the deceased defendants; also lall other persons unknown claiming any right, title, estate or interest in or lien upon the real estate described in plaintiffs' complaint adverse to the plaintiffs' ownership or clouding plaintiffs' title thereto, Defendants." The property in question was six lots in Nelson Park Addition to Ogden City, Utah.²⁰

     Effie Ridgely was born on 6 Dec 1878.¹ She was the daughter of William S. Ridgely and Cora Mary Blood.¹ Effie Ridgely married W. Howard Hanson on 16 Mar 1897 at Richland County, Illinois.^2,3,4 Effie Ridgely died on 17 Jun 1969 at Richland Memorial Hospital, Olney, Richland County, Illinois, at age 90.^2,5 She was buried at Marion Church Cemetery, Edwards County, Illinois.⁶
     Howard and Effie Hanson are on the membership list of Marion Church, Edwards County, Illinois where they were added about 1900.⁷
     Her obituary states:
     "Mrs. Effie Hanson, 90, life-long resident of the Seminary neighborhood, died early this morning in the Richland Memorial Hospital. Mrs. Hanson was born on December 6, 1878, just across the county line in Edwards county, daughter of the late William and Cora Blood Ridgely. Her husband, Howard preceded her in death in 1911. She was associated with the Marion Christian church.
"Mrs. Hanson is survived by two sons, Kell Hanson and Wallace Hanson, both of Rural Route 1, Olney, and a foster-brother, Arch Ridgely, also of Route 1, Olney. There are also thre[e] grandchildren and eight great grandchildren surviving.
"She was preceded in death by one son, Ellis.
"Funeral services will be held at 1:30 p. m. Thursday in the Chapel of the Schaub Funeral Home. Interment will be in the Marion Church Cemetery.
"Friends may call at the funeral home after 2:00 p.m. Wednesday."⁵

     Eleanor Ridgely was the daughter of William Ridgely , Immigrant and Elizabeth (?).¹
     Newman says Eleanor "married [John Rawlings]" with no explanation of the brackets. He also gives John Rawlings as one of the sureties for the bond of widow Elizabeth Ridgely when administering her husband's estate.²

     Eleanor Ridgely was born c 1783. She was the daughter of Henry Ridgely and Rachel Griffith.

     Eliza Ellen Ridgely was born on 20 Nov 1851.¹ She was the daughter of Henry Davidge Ridgely and Irena Harrison.¹ Eliza Ellen Ridgely married Gideon A. Talley on 22 Feb 1872 at Richland County, Illinois.^2,1,3 Eliza Ellen Ridgely died on 5 Feb 1936 at age 84.⁴ She was buried at Oak Hill Cemetery, Parkersburg, Richland County, Illinois.^5,6
     Eliza Ellen Talley and Gideon A. Talley appeared on the census of 1880 at Madison Township, Richland County, Illinois, as follows: This family is listed next to that of Robert Ridgely.
Talley, Gideon 31 dry goods merchant b. Tenn. parent bp. not listed
, Ellen 28 wife b. Ill. father b. Ill. mother b. Ill.
, Bertie 7 son b. Ill. father b. Tenn. mother b. Ill.
, Henry 4 son b. Ill. father b. Tenn. mother b. Ill.⁷
     Her obituary states:
     "Mrs. Ellen Talley passed away at her home Wednesday night at the age of 84 years. Her husband, Gideon Talley died six years ago. Funeral services were held with Rev. E. L. Robinson in charge. Interment in Oak Hill Cemetery."⁸

     Eliza Lodema Ridgely was born on 17 Apr 1824.¹ She was the daughter of William Henry Ridgely and Hannah Reed Simmons. Eliza Lodema Ridgely married Charles Greenhood on 26 Sep 1860 at Wabash County, Illinois.² Eliza Lodema Ridgely married Edward Andrews.³ Eliza Lodema Ridgely died on 7 Mar 1902 at age 77.⁴ She was buried at Wabash Presbyterian Church Cemetery, Orio, Wabash County, Illinois.⁵
     Eliza Lodema is named in the 1850 and 1860 census records of Wabash County, in her father's will (as Lodema E.) and the list of heirs, in Ref. 2 (as Mrs. Eliza L. Greenhood), and in Ref. 3. In the 1850 census, at the age of 26, she is listed as having attended school within the year. Family members recall that she married twice, Mr. Andrews and Mr. Greenhood. Something of her life may be surmised from the following tombstone inscriptions which may be seen in the cemetery of the Wabash Presbyterian Church, Orio, Wabash County, Ill.
Eliza L., wife of Edward Andrews, formerly wife of Charles Greenhood, died March 7, 1902, aged 76 years, 10 m's, 22 d's.
Charles Greenhood, died Aug. 18, 1899, aged 71 years.
(Eliza and Charles are recorded on the same stone)
Sarah A., wife of Charles Greenhood, died Aug. 1859, aged 22 years
Millard, son of Charles Greenhood, Dec. 6, 1872, aged 13 ys 8 ms 10d's
The following three are on the a single stone:
Edward Andrews, died 7 May 1908, aged 73 years, 11 m's 21 d's
Sarah, wife of Edward Andrews, died March 19, 1900, aged 63 y's 1 m 17 d
Job, son of E. & S. Andrews, d. Oct [?] 1868, aged 2 y's 11 m 9ds.

Eliza Lodema Ridgely had no children. According to the 1880 census of Lukin Twp., Lawrence County, Ill., page 129, Charles Greenhood was age 53 and was born in England. Eliza L. Greenhood was age 55, born in Illinois, father born in Maryland, mother born in NY. They had an adopted daughter, Clara, age 8. Eliza's sister, Henrietta Parker was living in the next house listed. Eliza Lodema Ridgely was accepted by exam into the membership of the Wabash Presbyterian Church at Orio on 15 Oct. 1843.⁶
     "Lodema Ridgeley's Beau is married."⁷
     "Lodema has married a widower by the name of greenwood [sic] and moved on Ruark Prairie."⁸

     Elizabeth Ridgely died young.¹ She was born c 1866.² She was the daughter of Medad Reed Ridgely and Louisa Collins.

     Elizabeth Ridgely was the daughter of William Ridgely , Immigrant and Elizabeth (?).¹
     Newman says Elizabeth married Thomas Macauley. She is named as Elizabeth Macauley in a deed made by her mother, Elizabeth Ridgely.²

     Elizabeth L. Ridgely was born in 1863.³ She was the daughter of Abel Ridgely and Phoebe Ades.^1,2 Elizabeth L. Ridgely married James M. Fryatt on 27 Jun 1898 at Edwards County, Illinois.^4,5 Elizabeth L. Ridgely married Henry Vandever. Elizabeth L. Ridgely died on 25 Mar 1949 at Edwards County, Illinois.⁶ She was buried at Marion Church Cemetery, Edwards County, Illinois.⁷
     She had no children.
     Lizzie Ridgely (Vandiver) is on the membership list of Marion Church, Edwards County, Illinois where she was added about 1880 (and her second married name must have been added much later).⁸
Elizabeth L. Ridgely and James M. Fryatt appeared on the census of Jun 1900 at Shelby Precinct, Edwards County, Illinois. The record lists:
James ___ Fryatt, b. Sept. 1848, age 51, married twice?, b. WVa, parents b. WVa
Elizabeth Fryatt, wife, b. July 1862, age 37, married twice, 1 child, 1 living, b. Ill, father b. Ill, mother b. Ill
Flora Fryatt, dau., b. Dec 1883, age 16, b. Ill, father b. WVa, mother b. Ill.

It is unclear whether the "married twice" label really applies because it is also shown for the single daughter. Nevertheless, it appears to show that Elizabeth was the mother of a living child, in contrast to the 1910 record. However, Flora appears to have been born prior to the 1898 marriage to Elizabeth Ridgely.⁹
Elizabeth L. Vandever and Henry Vandever appeared on the census of 1910 at Salem Precinct, Edwards County, Illinois, The record shows:
Henry Vandever, age 49, married twice
Lizzie L., wife, 45, married twice, she had no children, was born in Ill., father b. Ill., mother b. Ohio
Frank A. son, age 19, b. in Ill., parents b. in Ill.
Joe B., son, age 17, b. in Ill., parents b. in Ill.⁹
Elizabeth L. Vandever and Henry Vandever appeared on the census of 27 Feb 1920 at West Salem, Edwards County, Illinois. The record shows:
Vandever, Henry, 50, b. Ill, f. b. Ky m. b. KY
Elizabeth, wife, 50, b. Ill., f. b. Ill, m. b. Ohio
Frank, son, 29, b. Ill, parents b. Ill.⁹
Elizabeth L. Vandever and Henry Vandever appeared on the census of 5 Apr 1930 at West Salem, Edwards County, Illinois. The record shows:
Vandever, Henry, 69, b. Ill., first married at age 26, parents b. Ky
Elizabeth, wife, 66, b. Ill, first married age 30, b. Ill, parents b. Ill.
Sallie, sister, 56, b. Ill., parents b. KY.⁹

     Elmo E. Ridgely was born c 1871 at Indiana.² He was the son of Stephen Simmons Ridgely and Louella (?). Elmo E. Ridgely died c Aug 1950.³
     "Elmo E. Ridgely, the son of Stephen S. Ridgely was an executive with the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad. All we know of his mother is her first name, Mary, and the fact that she lived in Kansas City, Kansas. When Elmo retired from the railroad, he moved to Denver, Colorado (having lived in Chicago and elsewhere), where he owned a local trucking company. We have no reliable information about him after this. He may have had a family, and we believe he died in the 1940's."
Elmo E. Ridgely appeared on the census of 9 Jun 1900 at St. Joseph, Buchanan County, Missouri, as follows:
     Ridgely, E. E., boarder, 32, stenographer
     Ridgely, Mrs., boarder, 30
They are listed among several daughters, one son, and boarders and servants recorded with Sarah Lowe, b. May 1855, age 45, widow, boarding house keeper. One household member was her daughter, Grace, b. July 1877, age 22, single, seamstress, soon to become wife of Elmo E. Ridgely.⁴
Elmo E. Ridgely appeared on the census of 11 Apr 1910 at part of Tract L13, Chicago, Cook County, Illinois, as follows:
     Ridgley, Elmo, head, 37, marr. 7 yrs, b. Ind., father b. Ill., mother b. Ky, clerk in R.R. office
      , Grace, wife, 31, marr. 7 yrs, 1 child, 1 living, b. Kansas, parents b. Ohio
      , [Irwin? or Dennis? or ?] S., son, 4, b. Ill., father b. Ind., mother b. Kansas
     Lowe, Sarah B., mother-in-law, 56, widowed, b. Ohio, parents b. Penn.⁵
Elmo E. Ridgely appeared on the census of 2 Jan 1920 at Denver City, Denver County, Colorado, as follows:
     Ridglley[sic], Elmo E., head, 47, b. Ind., father b. Ill., mother b. Ky, mover at warehouse
      , Grace, wife, 42, b. Kansas, parents b. Ohio
     Lowe, Sarah, mother-in-law, 65, widow, b. Ohio, parents b. Penn.⁶
Elmo E. Ridgely appeared on the census of 12 Apr 1930 at Denver City, Denver County, Colorado, as follows:
     Ridgeley[sic], Elmo E., head, 58, 1st marr. at 32, b. Ind., father b. Ill., mother b. Ky, proprietor of storage warehouse
      . Grace, 52, 1st marr. at 23, b. Kansas, parents b. Ohio, bookkeeper.⁷
               "Personal News Items
"Mrs. Etta Hennick left Sunday to attend the funeral services of her cousin's husband, Elmo Ridgely of Denver. Mr. Ridgely had been in failing health for the past year."³

     Elsie Jane Ridgely was born on 23 Jun 1858.^1,2 She was the daughter of Henry Davidge Ridgely and Irena Harrison.¹ Elsie Jane Ridgely married Stephen Miles Staninger on 3 Aug 1876 at Richland County, Illinois.^3,4 Elsie Jane Ridgely died on 18 Oct 1891. This gives her calculated age as 33 years, 3 months and 25 days.¹ She was buried at United Brethren Cemetery, West Salem, Edwards County, Illinois. The full dates are on her stone.
     Elsie Jane Staninger and Stephen Miles Staninger appeared on the census of Jun 1880 at Bonpas Township, Richland County, Illinois, as follows:
     Stephen Stanninger 24 b. Ill. father b. Va. mother b. Ill
     Elcie 21 wife b. Ill. father b. Va., mother b. Ill
     Robert 2 son b. Ill. parents b.Ill
     Bessie 1 dau. b. Ill. parents b. Ill.⁵

     Emily Orenda Ridgely was born on 12 Apr 1831.^1,2 She was the daughter of William Henry Ridgely and Hannah Reed Simmons. Emily Orenda Ridgely married George Nelson Harrison, son of John Harrison and Nancy Higgins, on 4 Nov 1852.³ Emily Orenda Ridgely died on 13 Jan 1908 at Wabash County, Illinois, at age 76.^4,5,6,7 She was buried at Christian Church Cemetery, Lancaster, Wabash County, Illinois.⁸
     Her name may have been Emily Orenda or Orenda Emily and appears in the records both ways. The usage adopted here appears in her signature, in her family Bible, on her tombstone and in the records of her daughter, Minnie (Harrison) Reid, and thus must be what she preferred as an adult. She is named in her father's will as "my daughter Orenda E. Harrison" but signed an 1873 receipt as Emily O. Harrison. The name Orenda is from the Iroquois Indian and means magic power.⁹
     "G. H. Harrison is paying his compliment to Orenda Ridgely."¹⁰

     Esther Fae Ridgely was born on 17 Sep 1925 at Lawrence County, Illinois.^1,2 She was the daughter of Homer Edwin Ridgely and Ethel Mae Rash. Esther Fae Ridgely married Garald Gray Hickel, son of Stella Washington, in 1947.³ Esther Fae Ridgely died on 7 Jan 2007 at Richland Memorial Hospital, Olney, Richland County, Illinois, at age 81.⁴ She was buried on 10 Jan 2007 at St. Joseph's Cemetery, Olney, Richland County, Illinois.⁵
     She graduated on 28 May 1943 from Olney Township High School, Olney, Richland County, Illinois.⁶
     Her obituary states:
     "Esther F. Hickel, 81, of Olney, died at 7:40 p.m. Sunday, January 7, 2007, at Richland Memorial Hospital in Olney.
"Visitation will be from 6-8 p.m. Tuesday at Summers-Kistler Funeral Home in Olney with Holy Rosary at 7 p.m. Funeral services will be at 10 a.m. Wednesday at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Olney with Rev. Father Jerry Wirth officiating. Burial will be in St. Joseph Cemetery in Olney.
"Mrs. Hickel was born September 17, 1925, in Richland County, the daughter of Homer and Ethel (Rash) Ridgley[sic]. She married Garald G. Hickel in 1947. He preceded her in death in August 1971.
"She worked as a secretary for Burgin Manor. She also worked at Red Rooster and after her retirement at McDonald's.
"She was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church in Olney.
"Mrs. Hickel is survived by a daughter, Jennifer Fullenkamp, of Gahanna, Ohio; sons, Scott C. Hickel, of Olney, Mike D. Hickel, of Bloomington, and Jerry Hickel, of Apache Junction, Ariz; and seven grandsons, Garald “BJ” Hickel, Zachary Shevchenko, Clayton Michael Hickel, Cameron David Hickel, William Carter Hickel, Donovan Henry Hickel and Devion Michael Hickel.
"She was preceded in death by her parents, husband and sister, Helen Reed.
"Memorials may be made to St. Joseph Foundation Trust."⁴

     Ethel May Ridgely was born on 16 May 1910 at Manson, Iowa.³ She was the daughter of Gideon Willis Ridgely and Luella May Shirley.¹ Ethel May Ridgely married Ervin Muelner on 3 Aug 1946 at Milwaukee, Milwaukee County, Wisconsin.³ Ethel May Ridgely appears in the Social Security Death Index as having died 20 Nov 1991. Ethel May's SSN was issued in Wisconsin|16 May 1910. .⁴
     They had no children.³ Ethel May Ridgely lived at Chicago, Cook County, Illinois.³

     Ethel May Ridgely was born on 10 Jan 1905 at Wabash County, Illinois.^1,2 She was the daughter of George William Ridgely and Susan Emma Cotton.¹ Ethel May Ridgely married (1) Ozro Joseph Hussey on 19 Jan 1922.^3,4 Ethel May Ridgely married Charles Franklin Abell on 15 Aug 1936.^5,6 Ethel May Ridgely appears in the Social Security Death Index with the last place of residence listed as Mt. Carmel, Wabash County, Illinois. Ethel May's SSN was issued in Illinois and her birth date is given as 10 Jan 1905.⁷ She died on 12 Aug 1988 at age 83.⁷ She was buried at Orio Presbyterian Church Cemetery, Friendsville Precinct, Wabash County, Illinois.⁸