Person Page - 281

     Sarah Nancy Ridgely was born on 25 Oct 1877 near Parkersburg, Richland County, Illinois.¹ She was the daughter of George Willis Ridgely and Susan Woods. Sarah Nancy Ridgely married Asa Higgins Jr., son of Asa Higgins and Hester Staninger, on 22 Oct 1896 at Richland County, Illinois. He was 21, she was 19.^2,3 Sarah Nancy Ridgely died on 29 Nov 1957 at age 80.^4,5 She was buried on 1 Dec 1957 at Moravian Cemetery, West Salem, Edwards County, Illinois.^6,7
     Her obituary states:
"Mrs. Sarah Higgins Rites Held Sunday. Funeral services for Mrs. Sarah N. Higgins, wife of Asa Higgins, were held at 2 p. m. Sunday at the King Funeral Home here with Rev. K. V. Hanley and Bro. John Walser officiating. Burial was in the Moravian cemetery.
"Mrs. Higgins, who was aged 80 years, 1 month and 4 days, died Nov. 29. Early in life she joined the Oak Grove E. U. B. church.
"Sarah Nancy, daughter of George W. and Susan (Woods) Ridgely, was born in their home near Parkersburg, Oct. 25, 1877. She was married to Asa Higgins, Jr., Oct. 22, 1896, and their 60th wedding anniversary [was celebrated?] Oct. 22, 1956.
"She leaves her husband, five sons, Ellis of Stickney, So. Dak; Willie of Calhoun, Ill; Ira of Chicago; Dow of Dayton, Ohio; and Glenn of West Salem; two daughters, Mrs. Jennie Slunaker, of Parkersburg; and Mrs. Edith Fiscus of Sumner. One son, Earl, preceded her in his early years."⁸

     Sheryl Jean Ridgely was born on 2 Nov 1966.¹ She was the daughter of Daniel John Ridgely and Faye Marie Luther.¹ Sheryl Jean Ridgely died on 9 Aug 1972 at age 5.^2,3 She was buried on 12 Aug 1972 at Oak Hill Cemetery, Parkersburg, Richland County, Illinois.^4,5
     Her obituary states:
     "Funeral services for Sheryl Jean Ridgely, 5 1/2, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Daniel J. Ridgely of Parkersburg, will be held at 2 p. m. Saturday in the United Methodist Church at Parkersburg, with Rev. Mike Weaver officiating, assisted by Rev. Vernon Graf. Interment will be in Oak Hill Cemetery, Parkersburg.
"Friends may call at the Zirkle Mortuary in Olney after noon today.
"Sheryl Jean was killed in a two-vehicle accident west of Dundas Wednesday evening.
"Survivors, in addition to her parents, are a brother, Jan Douglas, at home; three sisters, Mrs. Dennis (Jane) Grove of Dundas Rt. 1, Mrs. Kent (Lee Ann) Warren of Rinard, and Terry Lynn Ridgely, at home; and grandparents, Rev. Dow Ridgely of Parkersburg and Mr. and Mrs. Clarence Luther of West Salem."² In memory of Sheryl Jean Ridgely who was killed in a tragic car-motorcycle wreck five years ago Aug. 9, 1972.
Memories are treasures none can steal
Death leave a scar none can heal
Silent thoughts bring many a tear
For the one we miss so dear.
Only those who have lost can tell
The pain of parting without farewell
The call was short, the shock severe.
To part with one we loved so dear.
Not dead to us who loved her
Not lost -- but gone before
She lives with us in memory
And will forever more.
Sadly missed by Mom and Dad, Jane, Lee Ann, Terry and Jan Douglas.⁶

     Sophia Ridgely was the daughter of William Ridgely [III] and Mary Orrick.¹

     Stella Mae Ridgely was born on 15 May 1873.² She was the daughter of James Ridgely and Emma Louise Hedrick.² Stella Mae Ridgely married Grant (nmn) Bogard on 18 Feb 1900 at Richland County, Illinois.^3,4 Stella Mae Ridgely died on 17 Mar 1959 at age 85¹ and was buried on 20 Mar 1959 at Moravian Cemetery, West Salem, Edwards County, Illinois.^5,6
     Her obituary states:
     "Mrs. Stella Bogard, age 85, the widow of Grant Bogard passed away early this morning at the St. Mary's Hospital in Decatur where she had been a patient for the past few days. She had made her home in Decatur with her daughter Mrs. Iris Jacobus since 1955.
"She leaves two daughters: Mrs. Iris Jacobus of Decatur and Mrs. Ana Marbry of Robinson. There are 3 grandchildren and 8 great grandchildren. She leaves a sister, Mrs. Minnie Weesner of Olney and a brother Gideon Ridgely of Milwaukee, Wis.
"The body of Mrs. Bogard has been returned to Olney and taken to the Summers Funeral Home where arrangements for funeral services will be announced later. Friends may call at the funeral home after noon on Wednesday."⁷

     Stephen Simmons Ridgely was born on 3 Mar 1839 at Wabash County, Illinois.^2,3 He was the son of William Simmons Ridgely and Ann Eliza Crowell. Stephen Simmons Ridgely married (1) Louella (?) c 1870.⁴ Stephen Simmons Ridgely married (2) Mary T(?) (?) c 1890.⁵ Stephen Simmons Ridgely died on 22 Jan 1916 at age 76.^6,2
     Stephen Simmons Ridgely appeared on the census of 1870 at Crawford County, Kansas. He is listed, at age 28, as living with his brother, Edwin, and he was single.⁷
     Stephen Simmons Ridgely appeared on the census of Jun 1880 at Girard, Crawford County, Kansas. This record lists:
Ridgley, S. S. 40 retired merchant b. Ill. father b. Ohio mother b. Ind.
, Louella 31 wife keeping house b. Ken father b. Va. mother b. Ken
, Elmo 9 son b. Ind. father b. Ill. mother b. Ken.⁸
Stephen Simmons Ridgely appeared on the census of 1885 at Girard, Crawford County, Kansas, as follows:
          S. S. Ridgely, 46, married, merchant
          Luella , 36, married
          Elmo , 13, single
          Alta , 4, female, single
          S. B. Da---, 52, single, merchant.⁹
     Stephen Simmons Ridgely and Mary T(?) (?) appeared on the census of 4 Jun 1900 at Pittsburg, Crawford County, Kansas. In this listing, the family of Steven Ridgely is listed as:
     Steven Ridgely b. Mar 1839, age 61, married for 30 years, b. Ill. parents b. in NY, landlord
     Mary T., wife, b. Nov. 1852, age 47, marr. for 30 yrs., mother of zero children, none living, b. in Penn., parents b. in Penn.
     Ohettingel[?], Albert C., roomer, b. May 1870, 20, single, b. Penn., parents b. Penn., Draughtsman.³
     In a second 1900 listing, Stephen Simmons Ridgely appeared on the census of 19 Jun 1900 at the David Green household, Washington Township, Crawford County, Kansas. He is listed as a brother-in-law (David's wife Henrietta was a sister of Stephen), b. March 1839, age 61. Although he is listed as having been married ten years, his wife is not shown.³
     Stephen Simmons Ridgely appeared on the census of 20 Apr 1910 at Kansas City, Wyandote County, Kansas. He is shown as age 71, b. in Illinois, father b. in Md., mother b. in NY. They had been married 20 years, his second marriage and her first. Mary T(?), his wife, is shown as age 51, b. in PA, and had had no children.¹⁰
      "An old issue of the Mt. Carmel [Ill.] paper" lists Stephen S. Ridgely as having served in the Civil War.¹¹
In 1911, his address was 1231 Jersey Avenue, Kansas City, Kansas. according to the list of heirs of Lloyd Ridgely.¹²

     Tammy June Ridgely was born on 10 Aug 1966.¹ She was the daughter of Daniel John Ridgely and Faye Marie Luther.¹ Tammy June Ridgely died on 13 Jun 2007 at Richland Care & Rehab, Olney, Richland County, Illinois, at age 40.²
     Her obituary states: "Tammy June McQuaid, 40, of Olney, died at 2:35 p.m. Wednesday, June 13, 2007, at Richland Care & Rehab in Olney.
"Visitation will be from 6-8 p.m. Friday at Summers-Kistler Funeral Home in Olney. Funeral services will be at 1:30 p.m. Saturday at the funeral home with Pastor Kenny Rutherford officiating. Burial will be in Oak Hill Cemetery in Parkersburg.
"Mrs. McQuaid was born August 10, 1966, in Vanderburgh County, Ind., the adopted daughter of Daniel and Faye Ridgely. She married Todd McQuaid on October 15, 2004. He survives.
"She was a graduate of Olney Central College, a homemaker and a member of Parkersburg United Methodist Church.
"Mrs. McQuaid is survived by her husband, Todd McQuaid, of Robinson; and daughters, Ashley Clark, of Illinois, and Shayla Clark, of Evansville, Ind. In her adoptive family, she is survived by her mother, Mrs. Dan Ridgely, of Parkersburg; sisters, Monica Powers and her husband, Pat, of Mattoon, Lee Ann Warren and her husband, Kent, of Flora, and Terry Fleming and her husband, Ken, of Olney; brother, Jan and his wife, Lisa, of Olney; and several nieces and nephews. She is also survived by her half-sister, Evelyn Stanton and her husband, Mark; half-brothers, Junior Storey, Ronnie Storey and his fiancée, Lynette Berry, and Jamie Storey and his wife, Stacy; and several nieces and nephews, all of Evansville, Ind.
"She was preceded in death by her adoptive father, Daniel Ridgely, brother, Gary, and sister, Sheryl.
"Memorials may be made to Hospice of Southeastern Illinois or American Cancer Society."²

     Terrence Lee Ridgely was born on 24 Aug 1957.¹ He was the son of Robert (nmn) Ridgely.¹ Terrence Lee Ridgely died on 12 Nov 2006 at Bridgend, Wales, at age 49.²
     His obituary states: RIDGELY
     Thu 12/21/2006 Houston Chronicle, Section B, Page , 3 Star Edition
"TERRENCE L. RIDGELY, Nov. 12, 2006, of Bridgend, Wales and formerly of Dallas, Houston and Indiana. Born in Gary, IN on August 24, 1957, Terrence moved to Houston in 1975 where he worked for Marriott Hotel Corporation, Houston Lighting and Power and Southwestern Bell Publishing. Graduated from Univ. of Texas Arlington in 1991 and held positions with ICL Retail Systems from 1992-1999 in Dallas. Moved to the United Kingdom in 1999 and was employed by LloydsTSB/Black Horse. Terrence died unexpectedly on November 12 at home in Wales. Survived by loving partner Nigel Shepherdson, parents Robert and Jane Ridgely of Merrillville, Indiana; brothers Patrick Ridgely, MD (Sharon) of Minnetonka, MN, Timothy Ridgely of Seattle, Brian Ridgely of Raleigh, NC; one sister Kathy Ridgely Beal (Russell) of Rowley, MA; four nephews, one niece. He is missed dearly and remembered by many. A funeral service was held in Wales. Memorial contributions to The Humane Society of the USA.
               BEAL, KATHY RIDGELY.² "

     Ulla Mae Ridgely was born in Jan 1883.² She was the daughter of George Albert Ridgely and Martha Ann Madding.¹ Ulla Mae Ridgely married H. Clay Schreck on 23 Apr 1913 at Lake County, Indiana.^3,4,5 Ulla Mae Ridgely died on 3 Jan 1957.⁶
     Ulla Mae Ridgely and H. Clay Schreck appeared on the census of 1930 at Dekalb, Dekalb County, Illinois, as follows:
The listing shows:
Schreck, Clay, age 42, b. Ohio, first m. at 25, osteopathic physician
Ulla, wife, age 47, b. Ill., first married at 30
, Anneta, dau, age 16, b. Ill.⁷

     Westall Ridgely was the son of William Ridgely [II] and Jane Westall.¹
     "Westfall [sic] Ridgely inherited 'Ridgely's Chance,' Frederick County, Maryland, and died there in 1772."²

     William Ridgely was born on 8 Jul 1841.¹ He was the son of Henry Davidge Ridgely and Irena Harrison.¹ William Ridgely died on 13 Jan 1861 at age 19.¹ He was buried at the Ridgely Family Cemetery, Richland County, Illinois.²

     William Ridgely , Immigrant was born at England. He was the son of (?) Ridgely. William Ridgely , Immigrant married Elizabeth (?). William Ridgely , Immigrant died in 1716 at Anne Arundel County, Maryland.
     "William Ridgely emigrated to the Province of Maryland, that is, he financed his own passage, and therefore was entitled to 50 acres of land as the following will prove:
27 June 1672 Came William Ridgely of Anne Arundel County and proved his Right to 50 acres of land for Transporting himself into the Province to Inhabit [Patents, Liber 16, folio 553]
"He was a brother to Colonel Henry Ridgely, but unlike his brother he lived a quiet life and acquired no great wealth. He was literate, however, and in his inventory were several books. He outlived his brother who bequeathed him his wearing apparel. His only known activity in the service of the Lord Proprietary was in 1678 when he received 240 lbs. tob. for participating in the Nanticoke Indian War." [Archives of Md., vol. 7, p. 96]
"In 1679 he with twelve other gentlemen met at the home of Richard Rawlings and testified that John Vennall died seized of 50 acres of land then possessed lawfully by Richard Rawlings."
"His early dwelling was at 'Ridgely's Beginning', but in 1700 he purchased a portion of "Abingdon" from James Finley where he later established his seat."
"On August 8, 1710, William Ridgely with his wife, Elizabeth, joining him as grantor conveyed to Amos Garrett, Merchant, a portion of "Vennell's Inheritance, of 50 acres, which had been granted to John Vennell, late of Anne Arundel County, deceased. At the same time he deeded to Amos Garrett "Ridgely's Beginning" of 40 acres which had been granted by His Lordship. William Ridgely signed the conveyance. [Anne Arundel Deeds, Liber PE, filio 231] [ The 40 acres called Ridgely's had been patented to William Ridgely on 18 May 1679 and was on the north side of the South River in a neck called Hogg Neck.¹]
"On October 3, 1712, William Ridgely Sr. and Elizabeth his wife and William Ridgely, Jr., 'son of ye said William Ridgely' and Jane is [sic] wife deeded to Mary Ridgely, Widow, of Prince George's County, 200 acres of 'Abingdon' for a consideration of £200. The grantee was the widow of Colonel Henry Ridgely who died in 1710. William Ridgely and his son signed the deed, while their respective wives made their marks." [Anne Arundel County Deeds, Liber IB No. 2, folio 10] [“If William Ridgely, Sen and Elizabeth, his wife, and William Ridgly [sic], Jun, and Jane, his wife” paid 100 pounds to Mary Ridgely within five years, the deed would be void.² (Thus, a mortgage. The consideration is here given as £100.)]
"He died intestate. On November 16, 1716, letters of administration were granted to his widow,with bond placed at £60. Thomas Reynolds and John Rawlings were her sureties. William Ridgely and Jehosaphat Ridgely approved as next of kin, while Benjamin Warfield and John Gaither approved as the greatest creditors." [Inventories and Accounts, Liber 38a, folio 61]³
     William Ridgely , Immigrant is on the ancestor roster for the Colonial Dames XVIIth Century. According to the listing, William Ridgely , Immigrant migrated to Maryland. William Ridgely , Immigrant was born in 1645 and died in 1716. He married Elizabeth ____ and was a landowner in Maryland in 1676. He is incorrectly listed as William Ridgely, Jr.⁴ "Elizabeth Ridgely adm--- of the Goods and Chattles of William Ridgely late of Ann Arundel County Deceased" filed one account of her expenses on 30 June 1718, including funeral charges, some payments for serving citations and for "passing" the report.⁵

     William Albert Ridgely was born on 30 Mar 1917.¹ He was the son of Claude Vernon Ridgely and Bessie Maguire.¹ William Albert Ridgely married Alice Huber on 3 Jul 1946 at Gary, Lake County, Indiana.² William Albert Ridgely appears in the Social Security Death Index as having died 25 Dec 1966 with the last place of residence listed as Hobart, Lake County, Indiana. William Albert's SSN was issued in Indiana. Also, his birth date is given as 30 March 1917.³ He died on 25 Dec 1996 at age 79.³

     William H. Ridgely was born on 30 Sep 1840.¹ He was the son of Orrick Ridgely and Nancy Harrison. William H. Ridgely died on 27 Nov 1840. He was buried at the Ridgely Family Cemetery, Richland County, Illinois.²

     William Henry Ridgely was born on 25 Jul 1786 at Anne Arundel County, Maryland.^1,2,3 He was the son of Henry Ridgely and Rachel Griffith. William Henry Ridgely married Hannah Reed Simmons, daughter of Stephen Simmons and Mabel Hunt, on 20 Nov 1810 at Scioto County, Ohio.^4,5 William Henry Ridgely died on 26 Nov 1859 at Wabash County, Illinois, at age 73. He (as Wm. H. Ridgley) is listed in the 1860 mortality schedule of Wabash County, Illinois, as a married [sic] male who had died in Nov. at age 73. He was born in Mar. [Maryland], died of Rheumatism which he had had for 2 years. Interestingly, his occupation was listed as ship carpenter.^6,7 He was buried at Ridgely Family Cemetery, Wabash County, Illinois.⁶
     It has somehow become a part of family tradition that William Henry Ridgely was born in Boston, Mass., but according to the 1850 census of Wabash County, Ill., he was born in Maryland. (However, in the 1880 census, Lloyd listed himself and both his parents as born in New York!) William's will mentioned a deceased brother, Charles of Ohio. The will of Charles H. Ridgely of Muskingum County, Ohio, (made 10 Dec. 1853) names his wife Anne and two brothers, William Ridgely of Illinois and Nicholas Ridgely of Baltimore, Maryland, as his sole heirs after his decease.^8,9 The list Lloyd Ridgely sent his sister, Emily Harrison, included Charles H. Ridgely, b. 16 Feb. 1779, and another brother, Davidge G. Ridgely, b. 14 Feb. 1794. These records and the given names in the family were the major clues on which to begin a search for the ancestry of William Henry Ridgely.

It is well known that the Ridgely family was numerous in Maryland, so the search was continued there. (Several published records included the family of a William Ridgely and wife Mary ORRICK, of Anne Arundel County, Md.) The Hall of Records at Annapolis is a fine place for genealogical research on local families and the notes in this book outline only a fraction of the papers there which pertain to our ancestors. One of the first records located there was the guardian bond for Davidge Griffith Ridgely, dated 8 April 1800. When bonds were located for his brothers William and Nicholas and an older brother Charles was found, the genealogical search had a firm starting point. This eventually led to the ancestry known today.

     In addition to the census records and estate records which name the children in this family, three other references have been useful in constructing a complete listing with full names and dates. These are:

Ref. 1. A list of names and dates sent to Emily O. Harrison by her brother, Loyd Ridgely about 1855. "When my oldest brother was a baby of perhaps 1 or 2 yrs old my father had a sick attack and the Doctor told him the only thing for him to do was to travel in a wagon so they went to Wisconsin in a covered wagon, and while there, Uncle Lloyd sent this in a letter to my mother, part of it was cut off before I got it, and in looking at it yesterday I see that there must be a record of two of Grandfathers brothers so I will send it to you to see, I would like it returned some time.¹⁰ I do not have a photocopy of this record but Homer Ridgely and Ulla Ridgely Schreck transcribed this list into their records. It was later the property of Lorena and Emily Reid who sent me a transcript, saying "We have this on very old paper--possibly from an old Bible."¹¹
Charles H. Ridgely February 16, 1779
Davidge G. Ridgely " 14, 1794
Hannah Reed Simmons January 20, 1793
The ages of the children of William and Hannah Ridgely
William Simmons Ridgely July 7, 1811
Henry Davidge Ridgely May 8, 1818 (or 13)
Lloyd Griffith Ridgely August 5, 1816
Orrick Ridgely September 18 (or 13) 1817
Abel Ridgely February 16, 1820
Henrietta Ridgely March 2, 1833
Medad Reed Ridgely December 23, 1835
Samuel Gunn Ridgely March 9, 1840

Emily Reid also sent me a transcript of another list she had, in her mother's handwriting. This one differs slightly: it includes William H. Ridgely, July 25, 1786; it has Davidge G. b. Feb. 11; it has Henry Davidge, May 8; it has Orrick, Sept. 13; it has Emily O., Apr. 12, 1831; and it has Medad, Dec. 5. Also, added at the side in Minnie Reid's handwriting were the names Charles, Nicholas, Absalom, Hannah and Eliza Lodema with no dates. Mrs. Shreck's list ("I got from Mrs. Reid (mostly)") does include Wm. H, shows 1813 for Henry D., Sept. 13 for Orrick, has Orenda Emily born Apr. 12, 1831, shows Lodema E. next with no date, Dec. 25 for Medad Reed, March 3 for Samuel Gunn and ends with Nicholas and Charles with no dates.

Ref. 2. A biography of Abel Ridgely¹² names the Ridgely family as William H.[sic], Henry D., Lloyd G., Orrick, Abel, Absalom, Mrs. Eliza L. Greenhood, Mrs. Orenda Harrison, Mrs. Henrietta Parker, Charles and Nicholas (twins), Medad, Samuel, Maria and one who died at birth.

Ref. 3. I have notes made by Dow A. Ridgely which say:
"The following information was given to me by Lloyd Ridgely a few days before his death.
William Ridgely Sr. born in Scotland? Blacksmith, minister, and soldier
William Ridgely Jr. born in Scotland or America July 25 1786
married Hannah Simmons who was born in 1794 and died June 13, 1853
William Jr. was a soldier in the war of 1812-1814 Died Nov. 16, 1859
          Their children
     William born July 7 1811?
     Henry D. born May 8 1813
     Lloyd " Aug 5, 1816
     Orrick " Sep 1817
     Abel " 1820
     Absolem " 1822 [marked out] died 1855
     Little girl 1828 died at 5 years
     Eliza -----
     LaDema --- [The names Eliza and LaDema are bracketed and marked with a ?]
     Orenda --------- 1831
     Henrietta ------ 1833
     Medad ------ 1835
     Samuel ----- 1840
     Charles and Nicholas 1826 - twins"¹³

Only a small portion of the notes from Lloyd Ridgely has been verified. The National Archives, Washington, D. C., could provide no evidence of the service in the war of 1812. This paper was sent to me by Stephanie Polzin, Dec. 1969, writing for her grandfather Dow. She says "Grandpa also said the paper he's sending you was the nucleous of the whole thing. The things Lloyd told him started him off."
William Henry Ridgely was presumably one of the young males enumerated with his father's family in the 1790 census of Anne Arundel County, MD, and in the family of his widowed mother, Rachel, in 1800. He is not named in these records, of course. His name (first?) appears in existing records on 8 April 1800 when his mother applied to be guardian for eight of her young children. He was one of ten surviving children, of whom the youngest eight were legally orphaned by the death of their father and placed under the guardianship of their mother.¹⁴

On 28 Dec. 1799, the "heirs of Henry Ridgely deceased of Anurandel County, State of Maryland" purchased land from Beal and Elizabeth Pumphrey in what is now Brooke County, W. Va. (then Virginia).¹⁵ "On 27 Feb. 1815, William Ridgley and Hannah his wife of Brooke County in the state of Virginia" sold their undivided tenth part of this 206 acres to Elizah Williams of Ann Arundel County, MD. The deed also says "and whereas the said Henry Ridgley Decd did at the time of his death leave the following children to wit Achsah Ridgley, Charles Ridgley, Ann Ridgley, Eleanor Ridgley, Henrietta Ridgley, Rachel Ridgley, Sally Ridgley, Nicholas Ridgley, William Ridgley and David Ridgley his heirs at law, now this Indenture witnessesth that the aforesaid William Ridgley, and Hannah his wife, (and which said William is one of the heirs of the aforesaid Henry Ridgley Decd) for and in consideration of the sum of two hundred and fifty dollars current money of the United States to them in hand paid by the before mentioned Elizah Williams ...". The record does not indicate that either William or Hannah signed by mark.¹⁶ This shows that our ancestors lived in Virginia for a time after their 1810 marriage in Scioto County, OH, and supports the census reports that some of their children were born in Virginia.

On 20 May 1802, when Charles Waters filed a complaint against the estate of Henry Ridgely, who had died intestate about 1799, William Ridgely was one of the minor children of Henry Ridgely who were living in Anne Arundel County.¹⁷

On 1803, as a partial distribution of their father's estate, each of the ten children, including William, received 39 pounds, 11-6/10 pence.¹⁸ On 4 Feb. 1805 each of the ten children received 10 pounds, 16 shillings, 8 pence in the final distribution of the estate.^19,20

According to a biography of Abel Ridgely²¹, William Henry Ridgely became a ship carpenter at Baltimore. He did have relatives in Baltimore, at least in 1840, as shown by a petition filed there by heirs of his uncle, John Griffith²². In this petition, William Ridgely of Illinois is named as one of the children of Rachel Ridgley, sister of the deceased John Griffith. Perhaps he did work in Baltimore for a time, but, if so, this must have been before his marriage, since his first three children were born (1811 - 1816) in Virginia, now West Virginia. It should be noted that census records are not completely consistent on this point. According to the 1860 and 1870 censuses of Wabash County, Ill., the oldest son was born in Ohio. William Henry Ridgely did have relatives in Ohio and may have lived there for a time.

He assisted Stephen Simmons in building "the first vessel ever constructed in Portsmouth, Ohio".²¹ The family came to Illinois in March, 1817 on a keel-boat, landing at old Palmyra. This was where Crawfish Creek puts into the Wabash River.²³

The 1818 state census of Edwards County is no longer extant, but a William Ridgley is listed in the 1820 federal census of that county. The listing²⁴ shows that William and Hannah were both age 26 - 44 and that there were five boys under ten (who would have been William Simmons, Henry Davidge, Lloyd Griffith, Orrick and Abel). In 1827, Wabash County was formed from Edwards County. The 1830 census of Wabash County, Ill., lists the following:²⁵
William H. Ridgely:
2 males under 5      (Charles and Nicholas)
1 male 5-10           (Absalom)
3 males 10-15           (Loyd, Orrick, Abel)
2 males 15-20           (Wm. S. and Henry D.)
1 male 40-50           (William Henry)
1 female 5-10           (Eliza Lodema)
1 female 30-40           (Hannah Reed Ridgely)
The 1840 census of Wabash County, Illinois, shows the family as follows:²⁶
William Henry Ridgely:
     2 males under 5 [Medad and Samuel]
     2 males 10-15 [Charles and Nicholas]
     1 male 15-20 [Absalom]
     2 males 20-30 [any two of -- Lloyd, Orrick (already married but not located elsewhere) and Abel]
     1 male 50-60 [William H.]
     2 females 5-10 [Emily and Henrietta]
     1 female 15-20 [Eliza Lodema]
     1 female 40-50 [Hannah Reed]
The names in parentheses are not in the census record, of course, but have been added from data that will be presented later. By 1840, sons William S. and Henry D. Ridgely had started their own families and are recorded in Wabash County.

The 1850 census of Wabash County lists the family as follows:²⁷
     William H. Ridgely, 64 farmer b. Md.
     Hannah, 55 b. N. Y.
     Loyd, 34 b. Va.
     Abel, 30 b. Ill.
     Absalom, 28 b. Ill.
     Eliza, 26 b. Ill.
     Charles, 24 b. Ill.
     Nicholas, 24 b. Ill.
     Emily, 19 b. Ill.
     Henrietta, 17 b. Ill.
     Medad, 13 b. Ill.
     Samuel, 10 b. Ill.
The Ridgelys lived in section 1, town 1N, range 13W. A William Ridgely first appears in the surviving land records of Wabash County on 5 Sept. 1839 when he purchased 40 acres in this section. On 31 Oct. 1849, Wm. H. Ridgely purchased the S1/2 W1/2 W1/4 of section 35, T2N, R13W from James McMillen and wife. In 1851, Wm. Ridgely made two additional purchases (76 acres) in section 1, TIN, R13W. I have not made a complete search of the deeds. Except for the 1849 record, these purchases may have been made by William S. Ridgely.

William Henry Ridgely's will, dated 24 May 1858, shows careful consideration of his children's welfare. Three of his children were unable to live independently and he provided for them. The following records are among the materials at the Wabash County Court House, Mt. Carmel, Illinois which relate to his estate.^28,29

"I, William H. Ridgely of the county of Wabash, in the State of Illinois, do make and publish this my last will and Testament in the manner and form following that is to-say:

FlRST--it is my Will that my funeral expenses and all my just debts be fully paid.

SECOND--I give and bequeath to my sons William S., Henry D., Orrick and Abel Ridgely and my daughter Orenda E. Harrison all the proceeds arising from the sale of all my property in the state of Ohio, Muskingum County, willed to me by my brother Charles Ridgely also the proceeds arising from the sale of one half of that tract of land bought of George Moore to be equally divided among them.

THIRD--I give and bequeath to my son Medad R. Ridgely the other half of the said Moore tract of land. I want my Executor to choose three disinterested men to divide said land to the best advantage for all parties and for my son Medad to have his choice.

FOURTH--I give and bequeath one acre of land for a buring ground whare the old buring yard is now; also the privilege of getting to it from the laid out road, the above buring ground is for the use of all my posterity.

FIFTH--I give, devise and bequeath to my son Loyd G. Ridgely the farm I now live on including the timber lot bought of James McMillen in all about or near two hundred acres; also all of my stock of every kind and description and all my farming utensils also all moneys, notes due, and all demands, in fact all I posesses not above disposed of by this will now this last I give, devise and bequeath to Loyd G. Ridgely is on the following conditiond[sic]. The conditions are these he shall let my two daughters Lodema E. and Henrietta Ridgely each have their bed and bedding and each one have their cow I have allready given them and when they leave or get married he shall pay them two hundred and fifty dollars a piece the above money shall be paid within one year from the time it is called for; also all my debts and expenses; also conditioned that the said Loyd G. Ridgely take care of and support my sons Nicholas, Charles and Samuel G. Ridgely as long as they shall live and if the said Loyd G. Ridgely should die before the said Nicholas, Charles and Samuel G. Ridgely then and in that case I want a sufficient portion of my estate to go for their support and my son Orrick Ridgely to take care and charge of and manage it for their support as long as they live.
Conditioned further that my two daughters Lodema E. and Henrietta may live on the place as long as they plase and live single and shall have their support, but they must help support the family the above named legacies are to go to Loyd G. Ridgely his heirs and assigns forever after complying with the above named conditions; also Medad R. Ridgely above mentioned legacy is to him and his heirs and assigns forever.

And lastly I hereby constitute and appoint my two sons William S. and Loyd G. Ridgely to be the executors for this my last Will and Testament, revoking and annulling all former wills by me made and ratisfying and conforming this and no other to be my last Will and Testament.

My executors are to sell my property in Ohio and also the part of the Moore tract that is to be sold and after taking out the expenses pay it over according to my will.

In testamony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this twenty-fourth day of May in the year of one thousand eight hundred and fifty eight.

                    William H. Ridgely, [SEAL]
Signed, published and declared by the above named
William H. Ridgely as and for his last Will and
Testament in presence of us who at his request
have signed as witnesses to the same.
          Hiram Cusick,
          William Hazelton,
          Adam Harness,

State of Illinois
Wabash County, ss;

On this day comes William S. Ridgely and Loyd G. Ridgely of said County and produced to the court here for probate, the will of William H. Ridgely, late of the said County, deceased, purporting to be attested by Hiram Cusick, William Hazelton, and Adam Harness, as witnesses and the said Hiram Cusick, and Adam Harness being first duly sworn, says respectively that they were well acquainted with William H. Ridgely of Wabash County, in the State of Illinois, in his lifetime, that he resided in said County at the time of his death, that he died on the 26th day, of November A. D. 1859. The instrument in writing so produced by said William S. Ridgely and Loyd G. Ridgely, purporting to be the Will of William H.Ridgely being here shown them, they further respectively say that they were each present when the same was executed by William H.Ridgely, and saw him sign it on the day of the date thereof, and that he acknowledged the same then and there to be his act and deed that each of them believes that the said William H. Ridgely was at that time of sound mind and memory, that each of them signed the same as attesting witnesses at the request of said Wm. H. Ridgely, in his presence and in the presence of each other.

                     Hiram Cusick     
                     Adam Harness
Subscribed and sworn to before me this 22nd, day of December, A. D. 1859.
                     James S. Johnston, Clerk.
Filed December 15th, 1859 in the Records of Wills, page 89-92, of Wabash County, Illinois. James S. Johnston, Clerk.

-----------------------------
AFFADAVIT OF DECEASE AND NAMES OF HEIRS.
State of Illinois
SS
County of Wabash

William S. Ridgely, being duly sworn deposes and says that William H. Ridgely late of the County of Wabash, and State of Illinois is dead, and that he died on or about the 26th day of November A. D. 1859 after having duly made and published his Last Will and Testament and his real and personal Estate will probably amount to $ 4,000.00 that said William H. Ridgely left at the time of his decease no widow, and William S. Ridgely, Henry D. Ridgely, Loyd G. Ridgely, Orrick Ridgely, Abel Ridgely, Medad R. Ridgely, Charles Ridgely, Nicholas Ridgely, Samuel Ridgely, Eliza Lodema Ridgely, Emily Orinda Harrison, Henrietta Ridgely, Samuel under 21 years.
William S. Ridgely,
Subscribed and Sworn to before me this 22nd, day of December A. D. 1859.
James S. Johnston, Clerk.
-------------------------------

A careful inventory of his estate, which follows, gives an indication of the style of life of our rural ancestors one hundred and fifty years ago.

The inventory of the Estate of Wm. H. Ridgely, deceased, this February 21st, A. D. 1860.
Cash                         $ 1.09
One note on H. Gunn and int.                $424.00
" " Wm. S. Ridgely                     8.40
" " Wm. Orsborn, doubtful                25.65
" " Edith Litherland                     17.00
" " Levi Couch                          47.05
" " Jonathan Ingram, doubtful,           35.00

1 mule five years old           2 salt barrels
1 old horse                     1 skillet and lid
3 cows                           2 jars
2 three year old steers           1, 3 gal jug
4 steers 2 year old               3,1 gal jugs
3 steers 1 year old               1 1/4 gal jug.
1 calf                           4 1 gal jug.
17 head of hogs                    4, 1 gal crocks
6 pigs                          2 tin pans
21 sheep                          5 old buckets
1 old waggon                     1 old wash tub and board
1 old buggy and harness           2 candle sticks and lamps
1 hay rake                         3 flat irons
1 set of harrow teeth           2 pr. hand irons
1 colten plow                     68 bu, wheat
1-2 horse plow                    20 cents money
3 old plows 5 tons fine hay
3 hoes 250 bu. corn
5 old axes 1 claw hammer
1 old Adds 1 old pair gears
5 old augers 1 tar bucket
4 old chisels 1 grapling iron
1 old hand saw 1 old loom and reel
1 old hatchet 1 little wheel
1 old drawing knife 1 large wheel
2 iron wedges 1 old box cubbord
2 maul rings 1 safe
2 pitchforks 1 fall leaf table
2 manure forks 1 square table
1 shovel 1 stand
1 scoop shovel 2 old chests
1 old mathook 1 trunk
2 old gimlets      2 homade bed stids
2 log chains 14 old chairs
2 old Bells and clappers 3 beds and bedding
2 old belts and collar straps 1 tea pot
3 hand rakes 1 sugar bowl
1 old set of waggon gears 16 plates
2 collars 18 tea cups and saucers
1 pair trace chains 5 bowls
2 old saddles 2 sets knife and forks
3 old meat tules 2 carving knives
1 old barrel 4 glass tumblers
5 old keggs 1, 2 quart measure
8 old boxes 7 tin cups
1 old cutting box 1 tin straner
1 old cradle scythe 1 dipper
1 old bush sythe 1 old sive
1 stretcher lot of old medacin
1 double tree and 3 single trees. bottles and viols
1 stove and cooking utensils 3 tea and table spoons
1 old iron kettle 1 tin tea canister
1 oven and lid 1 tin molasses
2 old brass kettles 1 looking glass
1 tea kettle 1 old pr. sheep shears,
1 pot and lid 4 baskets
[at this point there is a page break in Uncle Homer's copy and the list continues in a single column. Aunt Leah's copy continues with two columns.]
18 old barrels 1 old half bu.
1 picher 1 pr. stilliards
8 lbs nails $5,00 worth of leather
21 old sacks yarn for 20 yards jeans
yarn for 20 yard of lincy 1 ox yoke and steeple
5 7/12 doz, chickens 1 old gun and shoutpouch
15 lbs. tallow and horn
2 razors and one strap 1 strap and brush and
1 bible 1 shaven cup
1 hym books 1 geography and atlas
1 farm book 70 ft. old lumber
400 ft, cullings wether boarding 1 ground auger
1 numbrella Cr. by Crossen's Estate
1 biography of the Revolutionary Soldiers $18.00 cash
1 shovel 1 pr. tounges

The east half of the W. half Section 1, Town number 1 North Range 13
West 71 60/100 acres
N half of the S. W. half [of what?] 71 60/100 acres

S. W. S. W. section 35, town 2 North Range 13 West 40 acres.
N half End W of the Boundry line Section 1 Town 1 Range 14 W. 1.46 50/100 acres.³⁰

W. S. Ridgely
Lloyd G. Ridgely
Executors.
Filed May 19th, A. D. 1862, Recorded in Record A of Inventory and Appraisment Book, pages 619 and 620.
J. S. Johnston, Clerk.
-----------------------
" $8.00 received of Wm. S. Ridgely, eight dollars in full for one coffin
executor of the estate of Wm. H. Ridgely, deceased, this the 15th, day of January 1861.
Joel Berringer. "
--------------------------------

Claim of Isaac Hershey
1858 to Wh. H. Ridgely, Dr. Cr.
July 9 1 lb tea by Wm. Jr. 85
" " 3 " coffee 50
Oct. 11 1/4 pound tea 25
Nov. 18 3 lb tea 60
1859 " coffee 50
March 14 tea 30
June 15 3 can soda and matches 30
Oct. 15 3 barlow knives by Lloyd 30
Oct. 19 1 nails 49
Oct. 22 1 " 7
Oct. 26 3 coffee and nails 57
Oct. 29 1 cap 1.87 1/2
Nov. 26 6 3/4 yards shrouding 2.70
" knives and forks 1.50
" 28 By 1 yard shrouding returned 40
--------------------------------------------------
$10.80
Henry Herschey
per I. Berninger
--------------------------------------------------
Wm. Ridgely to H. Cusick
1858 to making 3 pairs of shoes 1.80
" " mending shoes .30
1859 to mending shoes .25
June 8th to half soling shoes .25
July 25 to making shoes .67 1/2
Aug. 28 to mending shoes (Greenhood) .20
Sept. 3rd to making shoes (for Greenhood) .62 1/2
Sept. 21 to making shoes for Lodema .62 1/2
Oct. 14 to making shoes for Sam .62 1/2
Dec. to making shoes for Charles .62 1/2
" to attendance at Mt. Carmel .62 1/2 5.92 1/2
to prove will, claiment asks .50
-------------
6.42 1/2

Proven by oath of open court before me this 20th day of March A. D. 1860
William R. Wilkinson C. J.
Ordered that this claim be allowed on 4th class of claims,
Filed March 20th A . D. 1860 J. S. Johnston, Clerk.
--------------------------------------
"March 6, 1873 Received of W. S. and Loyd G. Ridgely executors of W. H. Ridgely, the sum of $165.60 in full of the money coming to me from the P. Moore tract of land in accordance with father's will. Abel Ridgely"
Other receipts were signed by H. D. Ridgely, Emily O. Harrison, and Orrick Ridgely.³¹


William Henry Ridgely is buried with his wife and other members of the family in the family plot mentioned in his will. This is on the farm where Mrs. Charles Abel, formerly Ethel Ridgely, a great-granddaughter, was living in 1932 and later. Jean Cullen wrote me (in 1997) that the farm had passed down to Ethel's children and "is being worked" by her son, Leo Carey. ³² The inscription on the tombstone, which was erected in 1929, is as follows:¹⁰
Wm H
RIDGELY
July 25, 1786³³
Nov 26, 1859

HANNAH
REED
his wife
Jan. 20, 1793
June 13, 1853


Blessed are the dead
Which die in the Lord


RIDGELY


"The cemetery at the old farm was in fairly good condition. It had three markers on the east half (low, with no dates) Orrick, infant son, Medad and Charles.³⁴
"On the west half, Loyd, Samuel and the large monument for Wm. H. and Hannah Reed. It was about 4 or 5 feet high and had only been erected the year before (1929) so of course was a modern gray marble. The plot was enclosed by woven wire and had room for many more graves, but I could find no other markers."³⁵

Some of the traditions which have been discovered in earlier family materials are:

"Mrs. [Minnie Harrison] Reid remembers the family and neighbors talking of how hard it must have been for her grandmother who was 'raised a lady, and had slaves to do the work, to work so hard when they came west.' Also that her father (Col. Simmons?) did not think it right to keep them and freed his before the general emancipation."¹⁰ Note that Hannah's parents, Stephen and Maele (Hunt) Simmons, both died well before the general emancipation. I have found no records of slaves in their families, but certainly William Henry Ridgely's Maryland ancestors held slaves. Bernice Bushfield, studying Upper Ohio Valley Regional History, including families of the West Virginia Panhandle, wrote: "A good many of the Marylanders of course being planters in Maryland brought slaves with them expecting to set up the same economical system they had had in Maryland but it didn't work since in order for it to be feasible you had to plant large acreage of some crop such as cotton or tobacco. After the woods were cleared it was corn and wheat which didn't need large labor forces to plant and harvest so most of them manumitted slaves long before 1850 except for house workers. Our winters were too cold to keep slaves well and comfortable in cabins. The planter thus had to turn to either trade or business so we find the younger generations the organizers of our industries such as tanning, mills, etc. All a matter of climate plus economics."³⁶

"Mrs. Reid recalls hearing her Aunt Etta Parker (that would be Henrietta) saying her ancestors gave the ground for the first cemetery in New York City.''¹⁰ This tradition has been taken as applying to the Ridgely family, although it almost certainly does not. In 1932, when contacted for Homer E. Ridgely, the New York Historical Society was unable to find any support for the statement.

     "I think I wrote you last winter that Uncle Lloyd had told me that one of his uncles was a sailor and sailed around the world (I don't know how big the world was).''³⁷

     "Mrs. Reld talked to Uncle Loyd and he thought no Ridgelys fought in the Revolution."¹⁰

     Charles, Nicholas and Samuel Ridgely were mentally retarded, although I do not know how severely. Samuel is remembered as having the mind of a child. This was the reason that their father's will required Loyd to take care of them. Dow Ridgely has preserved for us the traditional explanation of their condition. The story is that when their mother was pregnant with one of them (that would have to have been both Charles and Nicholas), she was badly frightened by a bull and this caused the deficiency. She was so worried about a repeat performance during the next pregnancy that the child was also retarded (Note, however, that Samuel was not the next pregnancy.)
     On 18 July 1856, Stephen S. Knight wrote: "Uncle Ridgely took dinner with us yesterday. He says that he has been unable to work much this summer."³⁸
     In 1854, Congress passed the Kansas-Nebraska Act (introduced by Stephen Douglas of Illinois) which created the Territories of Kansas and Nebraska. In contrast to the provisions of the 1820 Missouri Compromise (which allowed new states into the Union in pairs, one free, one slave) the new act provided for "local soverainty" under which the settlers of the new territories would determine for themselves whether their Territory would become a free state or a slave state. This created a situation which spawned many battles, both political and physical. The resultant conflicts were not confined to the new territories and were among the many origins of the Civil War. In Wabash County, William H. Ridgely was one of the supporters of making Nebraska a Free State.
"ANTI-NEBRASKA MEETING OF THE PEOPLE. All who are opposed to the Extension of Slavery into Free Territory and of restoring the Fdederal Government to the principles of Washington and Jefferson, are invited to attend a Mass Meeting, to be held at the Court House, in Mount Carmel, on Saturday, August 16th, 1856, at 10 o'clock A. M. Public speakers from abroad are expected. Freemen, turn out! -- Hear for yourselves!, July 28, 1856
...Joseph Ballard, William Higgins, William H. Ridgely, Justice Gard, Jr...."³⁹
     On 6 Nov 1859, Stephen S. Knight wrote: 'Uncle Rigley has not been able to go off the farm but a few times in the past year oweing to general debility and rheumatism."⁴⁰
     On 30 Nov 1859, Martha Buchanan wrote: "I heard that Uncle Ridgly is dead. He was buried last Saturday."⁴¹

     William Henry Ridgely was born on 26 Oct 1855 at Wabash County, Illinois.¹ He was the son of William Simmons Ridgely and Ann Eliza Crowell. William Henry Ridgely married Irene E. Chittenden on 28 Oct 1875.^2,3 William Henry Ridgely died on 7 Jun 1895 at Kansas City, Missouri, at age 39^4,5,1,6 and was buried at Girard Cemetery, Girard, Crawford County, Kansas.¹
     William Henry Ridgely and Irene E. Ridgely appeared on the census of 1880 at Crawford County, Kansas, as follows: The family is listed as:
Ridgley, Wm. 24 clerk in store b. Ill. father b. ______ mother b. N. Y.
Irene E. 23 wife b. Ill. father b. OH mother b. Ind.
Edna 3 dau. b. Kansas father b. Ill. mother b. Ill.⁷

     William S. Ridgely was born on 1 Mar 1854.³ He was the son of Abel Ridgely and Elizabeth L. Clodfelter.^1,2 William S. Ridgely married Cora Mary Blood, daughter of Sarah (?), on 27 Dec 1877.⁴ William S. Ridgely died on 5 Jul 1926 at age 72.^5,6 He was buried at Marion Church Cemetery, Edwards County, Illinois.⁷
     Wm. and Cora Ridgley are on the membership list of Marion Church, Edwards County, Illinois where they were added in 1879 or shortly thereafter.⁸
William S. Ridgely and Cora Mary Ridgely appeared on the census of 1880 at Madison Township, Richland County, Illinois, as follows:
William Ridgely 26 b. Ill. father b. Ill mother b. N. C.
Cora 22 b. Ill father b. Vermont mother b. England
Effie 2 b. Ill. father b. Ill. mother b. Ill.⁹

     W. S. Ridgely was named a deacon of the Marion Church, Edwards County, Illinois in April 1924.¹⁰
     William S. Ridgely left a will in 1926 at Richland County, Illinois.¹¹
     His obituary states:
     "William S. Ridgely, 72 years old, Madison township farmer, died at his home in Madison township, near the county line, Monday.
"Funeral services were held in the Marion Chapel, Edwards county, Tuesday afternoon at 2:30 o'clock."¹²

     William Simmons Ridgely was born on 7 Jul 1811 at Muskingum County, Ohio.^1,2 He was the son of William Henry Ridgely and Hannah Reed Simmons. William Simmons Ridgely married Ann Eliza Crowell.³ William Simmons Ridgely died on 1 Aug 1878 at Wabash County, Illinois, at age 67.⁴
     Census records report his birth as either in Virginia (per 1850 census of Wabash County, IL) or Ohio (per 1860 and 1870 census of Wabash County, IL). He served in the Black Hawk War, enlisting from Wabash County on 19 June 1832 and serving in the Company of Capt. John Arnold, 2nd regiment, Illinois Volunteers. It is family tradition that "on his way home from the war, riding horseback, he was offered a large tract of land where Chicago now stands in exchange for his horse. He wouldn't consider possessing such swampland."⁵
William S. and Anne Ridgely were listed among the charter members of the Church of Christ at Lancaster, Ill. which was formed in Oct. 1842.
William Simmons Ridgely and Ann Eliza Ridgely appeared on the census of 1840 at Wabash County, Illinois, as follows:
     1 male 20-30, 1 female 15-20, 1 male under five.⁶
     When the Christian Church at Round Prairie in Wabash County was organized in Oct 1842, William S. "Ridgeley" was a member and chosen an Elder. A membership list apparently made in 1858 includes the names of Stephen S. Ridgeley and Ann E. Ridgeley Jr.⁷
William Simmons Ridgely and Ann Eliza Ridgely appeared on the census of 1850 at Wabash County, Illinois, as follows:
     William S. Ridgely, 34, farmer, b. Va.
     Ann E., 30, b. Ia. [Indiana]
     Stephen S., 11, b. Ill.
     Ann E., 9, b. Ill.
     Edwin R., 6, b. Ill.
     Jacob Geisler, 19, farmer, b. Germany.⁸
     William S. Ridgely was the administrator of the estate of Alexander Knight in Wabash County, Illinois, in 1854 and 1855.⁹
William Simmons Ridgely and Ann Eliza Ridgely appeared on the census of 1860 at Wabash County, Illinois, as follows:
     William S. Ridgely, 49, m., b. Ohio
     Anna , 39, f., b. Ind.
     Stephen , 20, m., b. Wabash
     Anna E. , 18, f. , b. Wabash
     Edwin , 15, m., b. Wabash
     Henrietta , 7, f., b. Wabash
     William H. , 4, m., b. Wabash.¹⁰
William Simmons Ridgely and Ann Eliza Ridgely appeared on the census of 7 Jul 1870 at Friendsville Precinct, Wabash County, Illinois, as follows:
     Ridgely, William, age 59, b. Ohio
      , Anna E., age 50, b. Ind
      , Henrietta, age 18, b. Ills.
      , William H., age 15, b. Ills.¹¹
     On 30 Aug 1878, letters of administration were given to Rebecca C. Ridgley, his widow. The heirs named were Stephen S. Ridgley, Edwin R. Ridgley, Annie E. Root, Henrietta Parish, and William H. Ridgley. The inventory, appraisement and appraisment of the award to the widow were filed 16 Sep 1878. The name of the widow is a surprise and is the reason for including the marriage to Rebecca Brumfield in neighboring Gibson County, Indiana.⁴
     Further information on this family is contained in two letters from Edwin Reed Ridgely. The first is to Mrs. Minnie H. Reid and dated Nov. 8, 9 p. m. 1911. It came from Mulberry, Kansas on stationery with the printed heading "Ozark Divide Throroughbred Stock Dairy Farm, E. Ridgely, Owner and Manager, Crawford County". The following is a quotation from this letter, taken from a photocopy supplied by Emily and Lorena Reid of Albion, Ill.
"Dear Cousin -- Your letter of Oct. 24 just rec'd today (via Girard) announcing the death of our dear old Uncle Lloyd Ridgely that morning at your Bro. Willie's, West Salem. I thank you for the kind thoughtful letter and have already written Bro. Stephen, 1231 Jersey Ave., Kansas City, Kan., and sister Etta R. Green, S-22 Santa Fe St., Alva, Okla. asking her to send your letter on to Sister Lizzies 3600 Gladstone Blvd., Kansas City, Mo. That is her daughter Alice Bullock's address. I think Sister Lizzie is there at present tho her and Mr. Root have their home in Girard. ... "¹²
The other letter was written to C. V. Ridgely, Gary, Indiana and I have a copy from Mrs. Margaret (Ridgely) Dalby. It is on printed stationary of Farmers Alliance Insurance Company and identifies E. R. Ridgely, R. F. D. 1, Mulberry, Kansas as Member of the Board of Directors, Farmers Alliance Insurance Co., and also mentions Ozark Thoroughbred Stock Farm, Registered Cattle. It is dated 9 p.m., 11-23 1919.
"Dear Cousin -- The enclosed type [typed] letter was hastily dictated at Girard. On getting home I find it only partly answers your enquiry of Oct. 22, 19--.
"My Grandmother Ridgely's maiden name was Simmons. My fathers name Wm. Simmons Ridgely. He often stated that his father moved from Baltimore, Md. to Muskingum County, Ohio, where my father was born. From there the family moved to Wabash County, Ill when my father was six years old. I remember my father made some two or three trips to Baltimore on Estate business when I was quite small. ... There were six children of my fathers family 4 boys and two girls -- the 2nd youngest boy Henry died at 4 years old. The youngest, William H., died some 15 years ago, leaving a wife and two children. My oldest brother Stephen Simmons Ridgely died 4 years ago leaving a wife and son the latter is serving in the General Offices of the CB&O RR Co in Chicago and lives at LaGrange, Ill."²
Surely the typed letter mentioned here would be of great interest to the family if it could be located.

The list of heirs of Lloyd Ridgely, Wabash County, 1912, includes Stephen Ridgely, 1231 Jersey Avenue, Kansas City; Edwin Ridgely, Girard, Kansas; Lizzie R. Root, Girard, Kansas; and Etta R. Green, 822 Santa Fe St., Alva, Okla.¹³

     William Ridgely [III] was born at Anne Arundel County, Maryland. He was the son of William Ridgely [II] and Jane Westall. William Ridgely [III] married Mary Orrick, daughter of James Orrick and Priscilla Ruley, on 14 Apr 1726 at All Hallow's Parish, Anne Arundel County, Maryland.¹ William Ridgely [III] died b 15 Oct 1777 at Anne Arundel County, Maryland. His estate was probated on 15 Oct 1777.
     "Ann Arundel County Sct. the 15 day of October Anno Domini 1777 -- Sir. You are hereby required to Administer the Oaths to John Gray and William Gambril --- well and truly to appraise the Goods and Chattles of William Ridgely -- late of Ann Arundel County deceased in Current money of Maryland as far as the same shall come to their hands possessions or knowleg and to Certify your compliance herewith at the foot of this Warrant.
Given at the City of Annapolis the day & year as above"

"To any one of the Justices Elie Vallete Reg. of Wills for AA Cty.
of Ann Arundel County"

Both men qualified almost immediately.

"An inventory of the goods and Chattles of William Ridgely Ju:r Des:d appras:d in Current Money of Maryland By us the Subscribers being Duley Quallified for that Purpose
To waring Apperil 8 0
Negro Hagar 40 0
Negro Sampson 70 0
Negro Isaac 70 0
Negro Vallentine 60 0
Negro Pashence 30 0
To 2 Mares 24 0
To 1 Horse Colt 8 0
To 8 Hoggs 8 0
To 6 Hoggs 4 10
To 3 Cows with Calfs 12 0
To 1 Cow 1 Heifer 1 Stear 12 0
To 4 Yearlings 6 0
To 13 Sheep 13 0
To 1 Bed & furniture 6 0
To 1 Ditto with Ditto 5 0
To Saddle & Bridle 2 0
To 1 Table 40/ ... 2 Ditto 11/ 2 11
To Box Iron with Heaters [?] 0 8
To 1 Lining wheel 0 12
To 1 wooling wheel 0 8
To 1 Looking glass 0 12
To 1 Chist 10/ 1 Par stillards 12/6 1 2
To 1 Par Hand Irons 0 12
To 1 Old Gun 10/- & old Chears.. 12/ 1 2
To 1 Chist 0 7
To 1 Pott 30/- 1 Ditto 12/6 2 2
To 1 Pot 8/- Ditto 5/ 0 13
To 1 frying pann[?] 2/6 Bake Iron 1/6 0 4
Tongs and Shovel 0 3
---------------
£394 19

[reverse side]
To 24 Peuter 1/6 1 6 0
To 1 Pare of Shears 2/6 a pouch [?]
old poles [?] 10/ 0 12 6
To Cart and Harness 4 15 0
To 1 Skillet 12/6 1 spice Molter 12/6 1 4 0
To Juggs and Bottles 0 5 0
To old cards and A[?] 1 0 0
To Handsaw & adds 7/6 Teekittle 17/6 1 5 0
To 2 Bells 8/ 1 grindstone 7/6 0 15 6
To 3 old Plows 0 18 0
To 5 ys. woll.. 11/ old tubbs ... 10/ 1 1 0
To Sheep Shears 1/6 old Brush 9d 0 2 3
To Hackle 2/ 1 old Bible 2/6 0 4 6
To 20 Sole Leather @2/ 2 0 0
To 1 Hammer 1/6 Spelling Book 1/6 0 3 0
To 24 Barrals Corn @ 12/6 15 0 0
To 2 1/2 Barrals Nubbins 0 15 7 1/2
To Aparul [?] flax 0 12 6
To 1 Sithe 0 5 0
To old Lumbor 2 10 0
To Apprsel [?] foddar 2 0 0
To 1 Raw hide 1 0 0
To 1 Old Pockett [?] Rasor 0 2 6
--------------------
£ 38 8 4 1/2
394 19 -
----------------------
433 7 4 1/2

In witness whereof we have heare unto Set our Hands
John Gray
W Gambrill
Mary Ridgley
his
Joseph IP Pumphrey
mark
Reason Pumfry


Ann Arundel Cty. Came Henry Ridgely one of the admsrs of Wm. Ridgely Junr
the 9 Sept. 1778 late of AA Cty deceased and made Oath that this is
a true and perfect Invry. of the Goods and Chattels of the deceased that came to his hands or possession at the time of making thereof and that what hath Since or shall thereafter come to his hands he will return in an additional Inventory and that If he Should discover any concealment he will acquaint the Register with it that it may enquired into
Sworn before me Elie Vallette Reg.²
      "IN THE NAME OF OF GOD AMEN The Tuenth [sic] Day of March Anno Domini, One Thousand Seven Hundred Sixty Eight, I William Ridgely Son of William of Ann Arundel County in the Province of Maryland Being in good health and of a perfect Disposing mind and Memory thanks be to an Almighty God and Calling to Remembrance the uncertain Estate of this transitory life and that all flesh must yield unto Death when it shall please God to Call, Do make Constitute Ordain and Declare this to be my last Will and Testament in Manner and form following First I bequeath my Soul to Almighty God that gave it me and my body to the Earth from whence it was taken to be Buried in Decent manner as it shall please my Executrix hereafter named to think fit and appoint, And now for the settling my Temporal Estate and all such Goods as it hath pleased God to bestow on me. I do order Give and Dispose of the same in manner and form following. First I will that all those Debts that I justly owe in right or Conscience to any manner of person or Persons whatsoever shalll be well and truly contented and paid within Convenient time after my Decease by my Executrix hereafter named. --
Imprimis I Constitute Ordain and appoint my well bloved Wife Mary Ridgely to be my whole and Sole Executrix of this my last will and Testament.
Item-- I Give and Bequeath unto my Beloved Sons John Ridgely, Henry Ridgely and Greenbury Ridgely and their Heirs forever, the following Tracts of Land Vizt. one Tract of Land called and known by the name of Ridgely's Chance whereon I now do dwell Containing three hundred and five Acres of Land more or less, Also a Tract of Land called and known by the Name of Spanish Oak Grove, Containing fifty Acres of Land more or less, Als a Tract of Land Called and known by the name of Good Luck containing fifty Acres of Land more or less Also Another Tract of Land Containing One hundred and fifty acres of Land more or less being part of a Tract of Land Called and known by the name of Piney Grove All Lying and being in Ann Arundel County to be Equally Divided amongst them But if Either of my above named Sons should die without Lawful Issue of his body begotten then the part or parts of Land to whom it did belong to be the Right, Estate, and Lawfull Inheritance of the Surviving Brother or Brothers and their Heirs for Ever. --
Item I Give and bequeath to my son William Ridgely Ten Shillings Current Money which is in full of his part of my Estate, so that after my Decase he shall have no Claim to any part of parcel thereof
Item I Give and Bequeath unto my Beloved Son Nicholas Ridgely Ten Shillings Current Money which is in full of his part of my Estate so that after my Decease he Shall have no Claim to any part or parcel thereof.
Item I Give and Bequeath unto my Beloved Daughter Priscilla Griffith thirty Shillings Current Money which is in full of her part of my Estate So that after my Decease she Shall have no Claim to any part or parcell thereof
Item I Give and bequeath unto my Beloved Daughter Jane Hands thirty Shillings Current Money which is in full her part of my Estate So that after my Decease she Shall have no Claim to any part or parcell thereof.
Item I Give and Bequeath unto my Beloved Daughter Mary Pumphrey thirty Shillings Current Money which is in full her part of my Estate So that after my Decease she shall have no Claim to any part of parcel thereof.
Item I Give and Bequeath unto my Beloved Daughter Sophia Pumphrey thirty Shillings Current Money which is in full of her part of my Estate so that after my Decease She shall have no Claim to any part or parcel thereof
Item I Give and Bequeath unto my Beloved Daughter Anne Rigby Ten Pounds Current Money which is in full of her part of my Estate so that after my Decease she shall have no claim to any part or parcel thereof.
Item I Give and Bequeath unto my beloved Grand Daughter Anne Griffith Ten Pounds Current Money to be paid to her by my Executrix above Named.
Item I Give and Bequeath unto my well beloved Wife Mary Ridgely one Negroe Woman named Rachel and one Negro Boy named George Over and Above the third part of my Estate, But if my now said Wife should Intermarry after my Decease then the above said Negroes shall be appraised and what Ever they are appraised at in Current Money shall be Equally divided amongst all my Children, My Will is farther that my Son Greenberry Ridgely shall live with his Mother in my Dwelling House, and the Land in Equality thereunto adjoining According to the above Division to be his Lawful Right of Inheritance, To him and his Heirs for Ever, And in Case of his Death without Lawfull Heirs of his body begotten, to become the Lawful right of his Brother or Brothers above mentioned --
Signed, Sealed, published, pronounced and Declared his
by the Testator in presence of William W Ridgely
William Haslup mark
Thomas Iiams
John Haslup
Jacob Ryan



On the Back of the aforegoing Will was thus Written
Anne Arundel County to wit Octr. 27th 1780 Then came Thomas Iiams & John Haslup two of the subscribing Witnesses to the within last Will and Testament of William Ridgely late of the said County deceased and severally made Oath that they did see the Testator sign and Seal this will & that they heard him publish pronounce & declare the same to be his last Will and Testament, that at the time of his so doing he was to the best of their apprehension of sound and disposing mind memory and understanding & that they together with William Haslup & Jacob Ryan Signed their Names as Witnesses to this will in the presence and at the request of the Testator & in the presence of each other.
Sworn before me Thos. Gassaway Regr. Wills. --.³
This may be the William Ridgely who appears in the Journal of Francis Asbury, the much-travelled Methodist Minister.
June 17, 1776 Rode to William Ridgely's
Oct 7, 1776 very solem watchnight at William Ridgely's
Sep 11 1777 Preached funeral service at burial of William Ridgely. This was near the Magothy River.
The funeral may have been for William Ridgely III. However, William Ridgely IV died about this same time as his estate inventory was filed 9 April 1778.⁴

     William Ridgely [II] was born at Anne Arundel County, Maryland. He was the son of William Ridgely , Immigrant and Elizabeth (?). William Ridgely [II] married Jane Westall, daughter of George Westall and Sarah Wade, on 4 Mar 1702 at All Hallow's Parish, Anne Arundel County, Maryland.¹ William Ridgely [II] died b 10 Jun 1719 at Anne Arundel County, Maryland. "He lived only three years after his father, dying intestate in 1719. Letters of administration were granted to his widow on June 10, 1719, with Thomas Reynolds and Joseph Burton as her bondsmen. The inventory of the personal estate was filed at court on August 19, 1719, showing an appraisement of £139/4/9." [Inventories, Liber 2, folio 80]²
     As recorded by Phi. Hammond on 8 Sept 1719, this inventory was made 29 Aug 1719 (I have not checked the original). Alexr Warfield and Jno Gaither, as creditors, approved of the inventory. Many of the items were described as being old. Several items refer to leather, shoes or items for making shoes. The most valuable single item was a negro woman named Moll, valued at 30 pounds.³ "On June 16, 1720, Charles Carroll, Esq., released William Ridgely from a mortgage which his father, William, had placed on an unnamed tract of land, inasmuch as 'William Ridgely in his life time paid one moyety of this mortgage and his wife since his death paid the other moyety with interest amounting to £27/4/7." [A. A. Co. Deeds, Liber CW no. 1, folio 211]²

     William Ridgely [IV] was the son of William Ridgely [III] and Mary Orrick.¹ William Ridgely [IV] died b 9 Apr 1778.¹
     The 1790 census of Maryland lists William Ridgely, William Ridgely, Jr., and William Ridgely of Wm. This suggests caution in the identification of any William Ridgely even earlier than that. It would be interesting to know whether William Ridgely IV was the Lieut. Wm. Ridgely who was taken prisoner at Long Island in 1776.² Although William died intestate, his estate distribution in 1785, as quoted by Newman, gives a list of his children.³ Although Newman reports that the final account of William Ridgely's estate was filed by Henry and Nicholas Ridgely on 19 Feb 1785, he does not report that this account shows that the estate had "paid Westall Ridgely for the deceaseds 1/5 part of the principal and interest due for a tract of land purchased of the said Westal Ridgley as p. written agreement appears."
Both the original Westall Ridgely and his son Westall Ridgely died before William Ridgely IV. Perhaps Westall Ridgely III, b. 1767, was involved, although rather young. Futher details on this transaction might be of interest.⁴

     Willis E. (nmn) Ridgely was born on 26 Jul 1882.¹ He was the son of Ira Ridgely and Nancy Ellen Jones.¹ Willis E. (nmn) Ridgely married Effie S. Hill on 29 Nov 1922 at Olney, Richland County, Illinois.^2,3 Willis E. (nmn) Ridgely died on 6 May 1958 at age 75.¹ He was buried at Ridgely Cemetery, Bonpas Township, Richland County, Illinois.⁴
     He registered with the World War I Selective Service System on 12 Sep 1918. He described himself as living on RR1, Parkersburg, Richland County, Illinois, age 36, born 26 July 1882, and his occupation was raising cattle and hogs and farming for himself. He was medium in height, medium in build, with blue eyes and had dark hair. His closest relative was Mrs. Nancy Ellen Ridgely, also of RR1, Parkersburg.⁵
     "Willie Ridgley, of Bonpas Township, was arraigned in Justice McCarty's court Tuesday evening on a charge of stealing wheat from the George Koertge granary. He waived a preliminary hearing and was bound over to the grand jury umder a $400 bond. His mother signed the bond. Ridgley told the officers that he could give an account of where he got the wheat. He was caught early Monday morning with three sacks of wheat which Koertge claims was taken from his granary."⁶
     Circuit Clerk: People vs. Willis Ridgley, larceny. The verdict of the jury was "not guilty."⁷"
     "Willis Ridlgley [sic], of Bonpas Township, was arrested by Sheriff Moore yesterday on a charge of interferring with the Parkersburg Telephone Co. lines. He was taken before Judge McCarty who fixed his bond at $800. Mr. Ridgley made no effort to furnish bail and he was placed in jail. He is charged with digging up the telephone poles placed along his land."⁸

     Zella Grace Ridgely was born on 17 Jun 1884.¹ She was the daughter of George Willis Ridgely and Susan Woods. Zella Grace Ridgely married Arthur J. Moore on 15 May 1905.¹ Zella Grace Ridgely died on 19 Mar 1963 at age 78.¹ She was buried at Legion Cemetery, Tensas Parish, Louisiana.²
     Her name and birth date are in her father's Bible.
Her obituary appears in the Tensas [St. Joseph, Louisiana] Gazette, 5 April 1963, p. 1.
"Funeral services for Mrs. Zella Moore, who passed away at the St. Charles Legion Memorial Hospital Tuesday, March 19, were held on Thursday March 21, at the Newellton Methodist Church.
"Rites were conducted by the Rev. Paul Snellgrove, assisted by the Rev. A. D. Foster. Interment followed in the Legion Memorial Cemetery at Newellton.
"Mrs. Moore was 78 years of age. A native of Bridgeport, lllinois, she had resided in Tensas Parish for 47 years. She was a member of the Presbyterian Church.
"She is survived by two daughters, Mrs. Genelle McDonald and Mrs. D. H. Netterville, Sr., both of Newellton, three grandchildren and three great grandchildren.
"Serving as pallbearers were Ed Grace, Ed McDonald, Jr., James Doyle, Ed Hawkins, Odell Kifer and Frank Burnside."

She and her husband Arthur J. Moore, are buried in the Legion Cemetery, Tensas Parish, LA
Her tombstone reads: Zella Ridgley [sic] Moore 1884 - 1963
His reads: Arthur J. Moore, 1882 - 1956.
     "George W. Ridgely of Lukin Township, Lawrence county was in the city Wednesday morning to mett [sic] his daughter Miss Zella who returned from a two week visit with relatives in Greenup."³

     Earl Burnett Ridgley was born on 26 Apr 1925 at Lamar, Colorado.^6,7 He was the son of Arthur Edward Ridgely and Ivy Fern Ward.^4,5 Earl Burnett Ridgley married Eva Imogene Ferguson on 6 Feb 1944.⁶ Earl Burnett Ridgley died on 28 Dec 2009 at Sullivan County Community Hospital, Sullivan, Sullivan County, Indiana, at age 84.⁸ He was buried at Center Ridge Cemetery, Sullivan, Sulivan County, Indiana.^8,9
     His obituary states:
          Earl B. Ridgley
          April 26, 1925 - December 28, 2009

SULLIVAN - Earl B. Ridgley, 84, of Sullivan, passed away at 10:55 a.m. Monday, Dec. 28, 2009, at Sullivan County Community Hospital. He was born April 26, 1925, in Lamar, Colo., the son of Arthur E. Ridgley and Ivy Fern Ward Ridgley. He was a World War II Army veteran, retired U.S. Postal employee, and a farmer.
Survivors include his wife of 65 years, Imogene Ferguson Ridgley; one daughter, Earline Wence (Larry) of Louisville, Ky., two grandchildren, Lori Wence-Herbstreit (Andrew), and Jeffrey Wence (Cassie); four great-grandchildren, Kya Wence, Landon Wence, Jacob Herbstreit and Riley Wence.
He was a member of the Church of Christ in Sullivan, American Legion Post 139, and Disabled American Veterans.
Funeral services will be 11 a.m. Thursday, Dec. 31, 2009, at Banks and Brust Funeral Home, with Brother Dan Adams officiating. Burial is at Center Ridge Cemetery, with graveside military services by the Sullivan, Shelburn and Hymera American Legion posts, and Sullivan County Veterans of Foreign Wars Post. Friends may call from 4 to 8 Wednesday, and before services Thursday.
Published on December 28, 2009.⁸

     Lee Merle Ridgley was born on 7 Sep 1921 at Richland County, Illinois.^3,4,5 He was the son of Ralph Wallace Ridgely and Addie Koertge.² Lee Merle Ridgley appears in the Social Security Death Index as having died 26 Aug 2001 with the last place of residence listed as Jasonville, Greene, Indiana. Lee Merle's SSN was issued in Illinois|7 Sep 1921. .⁶ He died on 26 Aug 2001 at age 79.⁷ He was buried on 29 Aug 2001 at Lebanon Cemetery, Midland, Indiana.⁸
     His obituary states:
"Lee M. Ridgley, 79, of Jasonville, Indiana, died at 6:10 p.m. Sunday, August 26, 2001, at his residence.
"Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. today and from 9 to 11 a.m. Wednesday at McClanahan-Lee Funeral Home in Jasonville, Ind. Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday at the funeral home with Reverend Harold Thomas and Bob Patterson officiating.
"Burial with military rites will be in Lebanon Cemetery in Midland, Ind.
"Mr. Ridgley was born on Sept 7, 1921, in Parkersburg, the son of Ralph W. and Amanda Flo (Reckling) Ridgley. He married Wilda Trimble on November 3, 1946. She survives.
"He was a retired owner/operator of a Standard Service Station for 25 years. He was a member of the Church of Christ, a 50 year member of Jasonville American Legion Post #172, and a member of the VFW Post #6225. He was a World War II Army veteran.
"Mr. Ridgley is survived by his wife, Wilda Ridgley, of Jasonville, Ind; three daughters Doris A. Smith and her husband, Joe F., of Jasonville, Ind., Virginia Dickerson and her husband, Chuck, of Winfield, Alabama, and Rita Richards and her husband, Ron, of Kansas City, Missouri; one son, Wallace "Wally" Ridgley and his wife Josephine "Josie", of Jasonville, Ind; three sisters Marie Patterson and her husband, Bob, of Olney; Mildred Sams and her husband, Don, of Hallister, Calif., and Juanita Judge and her husband, Bob, of Sycamore; a sister-in-law, Sue Shevalier and her husband, James, of Bakersfield, Calif; a brother-in-law, Bill Trimble and his wife, Betty, of Lake City, Fla; eight grandchildren and three great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.
"He was preceded in death by his parents."⁹

     Maude L. Rife was born in Jul 1879.^3,4 She married Frederick Onatus Olds, son of Hubert Brown Olds and Mary A. Lehman, on 13 May 1897 at Seneca County, Ohio.³ Maude L. Rife died on 8 Aug 1971 at Tiffin, Seneca County, Ohio, at age 92^5,6 and was buried at Attica Venice Township Joint Cemetery, Attica, Seneca County, Ohio.⁷
     Maude L. Olds and Frederick Onatus Olds appeared on the census of 23 Jun 1900 at Bloom Township, Seneca County, Ohio, as follows:
     220/216 Olds, Fredrick O., head, b. Dec. 1870, 29, marr. 3 yrs., b. Ohio, parents b. Ohio, stone quarryman
      , Maude L., wife, b. July 1880, 19, marr. 3 yrs, 1 child, 1 living, b. Ohio, parents b. Ohio
      , Hubert F., son, b. Mar. 1898, 2, b. Ohio, parents b. Ohio
      Rife, Orlo J., B-in-law, b. Oct. 1884, 15, b. Ohio, parents b. Ohio.⁸
Maude L. Olds and Frederick Onatus Olds appeared on the census of 21 Apr 1910 at Bloom Township, Seneca County, Ohio, as follows:
     132/139 Olds, Fred O., head, 40, marr. twice, 13 yrs this time, b, Ohio, parents b. Ohio, machinist in stone quarry
      , Maude L., wife, 29, marr. once, 13 yrs., 4 children, 4 living, b. Ohio, parents b. Ohio
      , Hubert F., son, 13, b. Ohio, parents b. Ohio
      , Nelson R., son, 7, b. Ohio, parents b. Ohio
      , Evadne L., dau., 2, b. Ohio, parents b. Ohio
      , Elda F., dau., 5/12, b. Ohio, parents b. Ohio.⁹
Maude L. Olds and Frederick Onatus Olds appeared on the census of 12 Jan 1920 at Venice Township, Seneca County, Ohio, as follows:
     42/42 Olds, Fred, head, 50, b. Ohio, parents b. Ohio, general farmer
      , Maude, wife, 40, b. Ohio, parents b. Ohio
      , Hubert, son, 21, single, b. Ohio, parents b. Ohio, general farmer
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      Olds, Nelson, son, 17, b. Ohio, parents b. Ohio
      , Evadne, dau., 12, b. Ohio, parents b. Ohio
      , Elda, dau., 10, b. Ohio, parents b. Ohio
      . Robert, son, 1/12, b. Ohio, parent b. Ohio.¹⁰
Maude L. Olds and Frederick Onatus Olds appeared on the census of 12 Apr 1940 at Venice, Seneca County, Ohio, as follows:
     38 Olds, Fred, head, 70, 8 yrs school, b. Ohio, foreman in stone quarry
      , Maude, wife, 60, 8 yrs school, b. Ohio
      , Robert, son, 20, 1 yr college, b. Ohio, technologist in poultry
The family had been living in the same house on 1 April 1935.¹¹

     Sylvester E. Rifner was born on 23 Jan 1854 at Franklin County, Indiana.² He married Fannie Bowers, daughter of Peter Bowers and Mary Brown, on 31 Jan 1886 at the home of Peter Bowers, near Berryville, Richland County, Illinois. He is listed as a farmer who would be age 33 at his next birthday.^1,3,4 Sylvester E. Rifner died on 4 Apr 1887 at Richland County, Illinois, at age 33.⁵

     William Emmerson Rifner was born on 26 Jan 1887 at Richland County, Illinois.¹ He was the son of Sylvester E. Rifner and Fannie Bowers. William Emmerson Rifner died on 31 Jul 1889 at age 2. His damaged tombstone (quoted as "Rifner Willlie F. -- d. July 31, 1888 -- Son of S. E. and F. -- age 2y 6m 5d.") has probably been misread. It probably says "Willie E" and also "1889". This date would make the birth record and date correspond and a picture of Willie shows him as a child surely older than a year and a half.^2,3

     Charles G. Rising married Elizabeth M. Olds, daughter of Oliver P. Olds and Caroline S. Morley, on 7 Apr 1858 at Agawam, Massachusetts.¹

     Mariah E. Rising married Oliver P. Olds, son of Zardus Olds and Lucy Parsons, on 15 May 1873.^1,2 Mariah E. Rising died on 23 Feb 1898.³ She was buried at Springfield Steet Cemetery, Agawam, Hampden County, Massachusetts.⁴
     Mariah E. Olds and Oliver P. Olds appeared on the census of 18 Jun 1880 at Longmeadow, Hampden, Massachusetts, as follows:
     286/294 Olds, Oliver P., 69, married, farmer, b. Mass., parents b. Mass.
      , Maria E., 60, wife, married, Keeping house, b. Mass., parents b. Mass.
      , Edward, 11, son, at home, b. Mass., parents b. Mass.⁵

     Joseph F. Ritner was born on 24 Jun 1912 at Enid, Oklahoma.¹ He married Doris Evelyn Olds, daughter of Charles B. Olds and Pearl May Hinershot, on 5 Jun 1932 at Moro, California.¹ Joseph F. Ritner and Doris were divorced on 4 Sep 1941 at The Dalles, Oregon.¹