John Rider
John Rider, proprietor of the Valley Stock Farm, is one of the
enterprising, progressive and successful farmers and
stock-raisers of Allamakee county, He was born in Paint Creek
township on the 1st of November, 1861, a son of Peter Rider, one
of the early settlers of this county. The father, born in Ireland
on the 20th February, 1829, was brought to America by his
parents, Peter and Elizabeth Rider, the family home being
established in Pittsburg, Pennsylvania. In 1851 the family came
to Allamakee county, Iowa, locating in Taylor township, where
both parents passed away. Peter Rider, Jr., father of our
subject, became the owner of one hundred sixty acres of wild land
on section 21, Paint Creek township, upon which he erected a
pioneer log house which is still standing. He gave his time and
attention to the improvement and development of this farm and in
his agricultural pursuits met with most substantial success. In
1855 he was married in Allamakee county to Miss Ann McKigney, a
native of Ireland, and a daughter of John and Catherine McKigney,
also natives of the Emerald Isle. There the father died, while
later the mother came to the United States and, locating in
Allamakee county, Iowa, became one of the early residents of this
section. Her daughter, Mrs. Peter Rider, died upon the Rider
homestead in 1895, and Mr. Rider's death occurred the following
year at the home of his son John, with whom he resided after his
wife's demise. They were earnest Christian people, faithful
members of the Catholic church at Cherry Mound, and were held in
high esteem by all who knew them. In their family were nine
children, of whom five died in childhood, while Thomas passed
away at the age of nineteen
years. The surviving daughters are: Kate, the wife of James
Kaveny, of Nebraska; and Elizabeth, who married Mike Norton, of
Howard county, Iowa.
The other surviving member of the family is John Rider, whose
name introduces this review. He was reared on the home farm,
acquiring an excellent knowledge of agricultural pursuits under
the direction of his father, and upon attaining manhood went into
partnership with his brother-in-law, James Kaveny, in the
purchase of one hundred and sixty acres of land. This they
operated jointly for two years, after which Mr. Rider purchased
his partner's interest and is now the owner of two hundred acres
of well developed land. The farm is equipped with excellent
improvements, all of which have been made by Mr. Rider, and the
place, one of the attractive and valuable properties of the
township, is known as the Valley Stock Farm. In addition to his
stock-raising interests, he carries on general farming, and the
practical and progressive manner in which he
conducts his various interests is proving productive of most
enviable success.
In 1894 Mr. Rider was united in marriage to Miss Mary Hart, a
native of Allamakee county and a daughter of Patrick and Jane
(Tracy) Hart. Her father, who was born in Ireland on the 17th of
March, 1830, came to the
United States alone when nineteen years of age, locating first in
Ohio. Later he removed to Dubuque, Iowa, and in 1852 became a
resident of Allamakee county, here purchasing eighty acres of
government land in Paint
Creek township. This he cleared and improved, and that place
remained his home until his death on the 23d of February, 1903.
His widow, who was also born in Ireland, survives and makes her
home with her children at Plainview, Minnesota. Mrs. Rider
attended district school in the acquirement of her early
education, which was later supplemented by a course of study in
the seminary at Waukon. After leaving school she engaged in
teaching, following that profession for twelve years prior to her
marriage. By her union to Mr. Rider she has become the mother of
seven children, all yet at home, namely: Jeanette I., Thomas J.,
Florence V., William E., Celia C., Hazel Marie and Helen E.
Public spirited in large measure, Mr. Rider, however, has never
engaged actively in public affairs, for the demands of his
extensive agricultural interests have never left him time for
outside matters. The name of Rider is well known in Allamakee
county, where members of the family in three generations have
resided, and John Rider has ever proved himself a worthy
representative of an honored name. The high rank which he now
occupies among his fellowmen is due not only to the success which
he has gained for himself along agricultural lines but also to
the honorable principles and upright purposes which have ever
governed his actions.
-transcribed by Cathy Joynt-Labath
Return to index