My Genealogy Hound

RIDENOUR, N. C., editor and proprietor of the Page County Democrat, P. O. Clarinda; born July 13, 1836, in Campbell county, Tennessee. His education was limited to that afforded by the common schools of Tennessee; but by far his best teacher has been experience, than which none is so well calculated to bring out native energy and strength of character. In 1855 he went to Maysville, Missouri, engaging in various pursuits until 1856, when he came to Iowa, locating at Clarinda. He found employment for the year following as a clerk in the drug store of Dr. Kridlebaugh, after which he became a stage-driver, carpenter and dry goods clerk, successively, until 1862, when he returned to Missouri, going to St. Joe, as a clerk of a Mr. Wilson. In July of the same year he returned to Clarinda, and on the 18th day of that month he enlisted in company F, Twenty-third Iowa infantry, serving until the close of the war. His record as a military man was more than ordinarily brilliant. He was successively promoted from second sergeant to second lieutenant, and, in July, 1864, to first lieutenant, having command of the company until September of the same year, when he was on staff duty with Col. M. C. Dye, with whom he served about three months. He was then transferred to the staff of Gen. Black, as assistant inspector-general, serving in that capacity until April, 1865. He was then detailed on court-martial at Fort Morgan, Alabama, serving until May following when the army was re-organized. General Granger then detailed him assistant inspector-general of Bertram’s independent brigade. In June he was ordered to New Orleans, as aid-de camp on the staff of Brev. Brigadier-General Glasgow, remaining one month. He was mustered out at Harrisburg, Texas, below Houston, returning to Davenport, Iowa, at which place the company was disbanded August 18, 1865. He was in the battles — among others — of Port Gibson, Raymond, Jackson, Champion Hills, Edward Station, Black River and the Siege of Vicksburg. On returning to Clarinda he clerked four years in the drug store of Dr. Conine, since which time he has been editing and publishing the Page County Democrat — elsewhere mentioned. Mr. Ridenour was married on March 25, 1866, to Miss E. T. Smith, a native of Springfield, Illinois, by whom he is the father of two children: Eva F. and Clyde.