Rider - William
Source: H.W. Beckwith History (Chicago: HH Hill, 1881)
William
RIDER, hardware (Rider & Brant), Waynetown, son of Gilbert and Emeline
(PRETTYMAN) Rider, was born in Tippecanoe County, Indiana, September 12, 1829.
At fourteen Mr. Rider came to this township with his family, settling on a
farm. The advantages enjoyed by him by which he received an education were
those which farmers' sons generally had at that time, the district school. When
he became of age he began business as a thresher, which he followed during its
seasons for a number of years. In August, 1862, Mr. Rider joined Co. L, 5th
Ind. Cav., and he remained in the South during the remainder of the war,
participating in every action in which his regiment was engaged. At the close
of the war he returned to this County, and February 14, 1869, married Miss
Margaret FIELDS, whose parents came to this state from Ohio in an early day.
They have had two children, a son who died in infancy, and a daughter, Minnie,
born March 29, 1878. For two years after his marriage Mr. Rider was engaged in
the building of the gravel road here. In 1873, with the Gray Bros., he built
what is now Brown's mill. January 15, 1875, he bought the hardware store, when
the stock invoiced $2,200, and in February, 1877, sold an interest to H. H.
Brant, having increased their trade until they now do a business of over
$100,000 per year. In 1878 Mr. Rider was elected trustee of this township, and
in 1880 was reelected by an increased majority of 141. He is a Mason and an
Odd-fellow, having filled all of the offices in the gift of each lodge. In
political sentiment he is a democrat. kbz