US Congressman. Born near Lancaster, Illinois, he served as a volunteer in the 115th Illinois Infantry Regiment, Union Army during the Civil War and after the war, moved with his brother to Girard, Kansas, in 1869. There he engaged in the general merchandising business known as the Ridgely Brothers and also in agriculture. He abandoned his business in 1876, lived in Ogden, Utah, (1889-93) and then moved back to Kansas. In 1897, he was elected as a Populist to the Fifty-fifth and Fifty-sixth Congresses, serving until 1901. Not a candidate for renomination, he resumed his agricultural pursuits until his death at age 82 in Girard, Kansas.
US Congressman. Born near Lancaster, Illinois, he served as a volunteer in the 115th Illinois Infantry Regiment, Union Army during the Civil War and after the war, moved with his brother to Girard, Kansas, in 1869. There he engaged in the general merchandising business known as the Ridgely Brothers and also in agriculture. He abandoned his business in 1876, lived in Ogden, Utah, (1889-93) and then moved back to Kansas. In 1897, he was elected as a Populist to the Fifty-fifth and Fifty-sixth Congresses, serving until 1901. Not a candidate for renomination, he resumed his agricultural pursuits until his death at age 82 in Girard, Kansas.
Bio by: John "J-Cat" Griffith
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