Bartholomew County IN Archives Biographies.....Redenbough, John H. 1836 - ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.rootsweb.com/~usgenweb/copyright.htm http://www.rootsweb.com/~usgenweb/in/infiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Joy Fisher sdgenweb@yahoo.com January 21, 2007, 7:38 pm Author: B. F. Bowen (1904) JOHN H. REDENBOUGH. The subject of this review is a self-made man who without any extraordinary family or pecuniary advantages at the outset of his career has battled earnestly and energetically, and by indomitable courage and integrity has achieved both character and success. By sheer force of will and untiring effort he has worked his way upward and is numbered among the leading and prosperous business men of Columbus, where he is now conducting a feed store and where he owns excellent city property. He likewise possesses valuable farm realty, and at one time was numbered among the enterprising agriculturists of this county. Mr. Redenbough has spent his entire life in Bartholomew county, his birth having occurred in Clifty township, April 1, 1836, upon the farm where lived his parents, John and Margaret (Loller) Redenbough. The father was born in Jefferson county, Indiana, in March, 1809, and there remained until about twenty-four years of age, when he came to Bartholomew county. Here he entered forty acres of land from the government, for which he paid one dollar and a quarter per acre. He was a man who did a great amount of clearing and teaming and his labors were of direct and practical benefit to the county. Throughout his business career he carried on farming, engaging in the raising of oats, wheat and hay and the necessary farm stock. He was very successful in all he undertook, possessing keen foresight and discriminating judgment in business affairs. He took an active interest in political affairs, gave his support to the Democratic party and served as constable. He held membership for many v years in the Baptist church and his life was upright and honorable, being in close conformity to the teachings of his denomination. The subject now has in his possession the old church letter which was granted his father in 1850. Mrs. Redenbough was also a worthy Christian and the loss of both was deeply regretted when they were called to the life beyond. The father died in 1857 and the mother, whose birth occurred near Burrville, in Franklin county, Indiana, on the 14th of March, 1814, passed away in the year 1899, at the age of eighty-two. In their family were four children: Hezekiah, deceased; John H.: James, who was a farmer of this county and died leaving a widow who bore the maiden name of Mary Blacketter; and Newton, who died in childhood. Pioneer conditions still existed in Bartholomew county during the period of John N. Redenbough's boyhood, and he has witnessed a wonderful transition since that time as the county has advanced, winning for itself a place of prominence among the leading counties of this great commonwealth. Farm work largely occupied his attention during his youth, for it was necessary that he should assist his father in the cultivation and improvement of the home place. To the public school system of the county he is indebted for the educational privileges he enjoyed in his youth. On the 14th of October, 1855, the subject was united in marriage to Miss Elizazeth Blacketter, a daughter of Spencer and Louisa (Seibert) Blacketter. Her father was born in Kentucky, March 4, 1809, and the mother's birth occurred July 9, 1813, also in Kentucky. He was a miller by trade and for many years followed that vocation in conjunction with farming, the dual pursuit enabling him to provide a good living for his family. He kept well informed on political questions and issues of his day and voted with the Democratic party. His religious faith was that of the Baptist church and he was accounted one of its helpful and loyal members. Prospering in his business undertaking, he became the owner of three hundred acres of valuable land, which was gained by hard work: Unto Mr. and Mrs. Blacketter were born ten children, namely: Sarah J.; William; Henry; Peter, who is deceased; Elizabeth, the wife of the subject; Mary Ann; Johnny; Jacob W.; Catherine; and Sylvanus. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Redenbough have been born four children: Mary A., who was born in 1856, and is the deceased wife of George Cook, a farmer of this county; Margaret, who was born in i860 and is the wife of George Dudley, an agriculturist; Rebecca, who was born in 1862 and is the wife of Samuel Daugherty, a pension agent who is now living in Denver, Colorado, for his health; and Etta, who was born in 1876 and is the wife of Sherman Lucas, a mechanic employed in the Reeves pulley works in Columbus, Indiana. Mr. Redenbough was at one time the owner of one hundred and thirty acres of land in Columbus township, which he improved, making it a rich and arable tract. He continued its cultivation for a number of years, but in 1902 sold it. For fifteen years he has lived in the city of Columbus, where he is now carrying on a store, dealing in baled hay and other feeds. He is also the owner of a nice property at the corner of Seventh and Union streets. He votes with the Democracy and keeps well informed on the issues of the day, thus being able to support his position by intelligent argument, but has never sought or desired office. He is a public spirited citizen whose aid and cooperation are freely given for the benefit of moral, material, social and intellectual improvement in his adopted city. He has a pleasant home in Columbus, which he rebuilt in 1892, and is widely recognized as a successful business man, being surrounded by the comforts of life as the result of his untiring energy and well directed efforts in former years. Mr. Redenbough cast his first vote in Columbus for the Democratic ticket and has voted the same way in the same place ever since. His first presidential vote was in i860 for Bell and Evarts. Additional Comments: Extracted from BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD OF BARTHOLOMEW COUNTY INDIANA INCLUDING BIOGRAPHIES OF THE GOVERNORS AND OTHER REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS OF INDIANA ILLUSTRATED 1904 B. F. 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