OWEN JACKSON RIDGWAY, whose fine farm home is situated near the thriving town of Carlisle, in Sullivan county, Indiana, was born February 20, 1868, in Haddon township, on Shaker Prairie, a son of Benjamin Wiginton and Mary H. (Hoghland) Ridgway. The father was born in Kentucky and the mother in the vicinity of Indianapolis. The grandfather, Jacob Hoghland, and wife, were both born in Ohio. The grandfather of Mr. Ridgway, Wiginton Ridgway, was born in Kentucky, and became one of the early settlers of Shaker Prairie. Benjamin Wiginton, the father, was always a farmer. In politics he voted the Democratic ticket. Both he and his wife were members of the Christian church. Their two children were: Owen Jackson, of this notice, and James T., residing in Haddon township, on Shaker Prairie. Mr. Ridgway's mother married twice, her second husband being Samuel Lillie, a native of Gill township, and they are both now deceased. To this union three children were born: John W., living in Texas, where he is engaged in farming, and is by trade a blacksmith; Charles, residing in Gill township; Jacob W., now attending college at Purdue.
His father dying when he was but four years of age, Owen J. Ridgway lived with his mother and stepfather until about twenty years old, when he began farming in Haddon township. He rotated back and forth between Gill and Haddon townships until September, 1891, when he moved onto the place he now occupies, a mile and a quarter north of Carlisle. Here he carries on general farming and stockraising. Mr. Ridgway is the owner of "Duke of Scotland, No. 1140," a registered Clydesdale stallion, and a fine Spanish jack, called "Teddy." He feeds from one to two carloads of hogs annually, mostly of the Poland China breed, and also owns some Black Poll-Angus cattle. In his political affiliations he votes with the Democratic party. He carries a membership in the Modern Woodmen of America, belonging to the Carlisle Camp. No. 3332, of this order.
Mr. Ridgway was married September 4, 1887, to Alfretta King, born in Illinois, and reared in Haddon township. She is a member of the Christian church and an exemplary Christian. Six children have come to bless this home circle: Mary Elizabeth, wife of Charles Seever, has two little daughters, Geneva Lucille and Lois; Fred W., in the seventh grade of Carlisle public school: Lillie May, also in the seventh grade; Mildred Marie, in the fourth grade; and Alpha, the youngest, in the second grade.