Grundy County IL Archives Biographies.....Ridings, William Arthur 
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File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by:
Deb Haines ddhaines@gmail.com May 13, 2006, 7:54 pm

Author: History of Grundy County, 1914

Ridings, William Arthur.-It will be found that the most successful farmers of 
Grundy County are those who operate their property according to modern methods 
and with labor-saving machinery. Farming is like any other branch of endeavor, 
it is impossible to secure the best results with restricted appliances. One of 
the men who is reaping heavily from his land because of his progressive ideas 
is William Arthur Ridings of Wauponsee Township. He was born at Morris, Ill., 
September 26, 1856, son of John W. and Annie (Mather) Ridings, natives of 
Virginia and England, respectively. The maternal grandparents, Joseph and 
Martha Mather, were natives of England, who, upon coming to this country, 
located at Hillsboro, Ohio. The paternal grandparents, John P. and Eliza 
(Stone) Ridings, were natives of Virginia. John W. Ridings married Annie 
Mather in Ohio, and they later moved to Morris where they lived a year, and 
then bought a farm in Wauponsee Township. This was then all prairie land, but 
they moved upon it and commenced to improve their property. There he lived 
until his death in March, 1902, but his widow, who survived him, moved to 
Morris, where she passed away in March, 1910.

William Arthur Ridings lived with his parents, during his boyhood attending 
the local schools, and after marrying, moved to a farm of 160 acres that he 
had already purchased, adjoining the homestead on the west. This has continued 
to be his place of residence, and he has made many improvements, erecting all 
the buildings, putting up good fences and doing everything to enhance its 
value and aid in carrying on the work. As a result he has one of the best 
improved farms in Grundy County. In addition to his original holdings, he has 
140 acres.  In March, 1891, Mr. Ridings was married to Mary Margaret Sample, 
born in Wauponsee Township, daughter of William and Matilda (Martin) Sample of 
Illinois. No issue. Mr. Ridings belongs to the Congregational Church, and is a 
worker in all church activities; was Sunday school superintendent for many 
years and also teacher of the men's class. He is one of the faithful laborers 
who, by precept and example help to hold all such workers together.  For 
twelve years he has been justice of the peace and for the same period has been 
a school director. In every respect he has proven himself an excellent farmer, 
good business man and loyal citizen, and his high standing has been deservedly 
bestowed upon one who is worthy of the honor.

page 893

Additional Comments:
Source:  History of Grundy County, Illinois, Chicago: Munsell Publishing Co. 
Publishers; 1914

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