Robert Redden, 1846-1927

"Uncle Bob"



Robert Redden was a son of Richard and Elizan King Redden. Most of what I know about Robert comes from his obituary. The unknown author of Richard's obituary paints a wonderful picture of this ancestor. I can't improve on what was written, so I'm just transcribing the obituary which appeared in the June 22, 1927 issue of the Corydon Democrat newspaper.

Death of Union Soldier

Robert Redden Died Suddenly at His

Home in Corydon Last Saturday

_____

Was a Good man and Devoted Christian

and Had Many Friends
_____

"Aged Eighty One Years"

Robert Redden died suddenly and unexpectedly at his home in Corydon. He and Mrs. Redden were visiting Mr. and Mrs. George Adams near Ramsey. (Mrs. Redden and Mrs. Adams are sisters) and when Mr. Redden awoke Friday morning he was ill. It was found that he was suffering from a ruptured blood vessel of the neck, and he was hurriedly brought to his home here and he continued to grow worse until the next day when death relieved him.

"Uncle Bob" was a fine old gentleman and was loved and respected by all who knew him. He was an unusually friendly man and was a welcome caller wherever he went.

Funeral services were held at the New Amsterdam United Brethren church at 10:30 o'clock last Thursday morning, conducted by Rev. Horace Sonner, the M.E. pastor at Depauw. The church choir furnished the music for the funeral with Miss Beulah Moyars as organist.

The pall bearers were Robt. Hughes, Reaugh Jordan, Edw. Rudicel, James R. Brewster, Asa Harbaugh, and Straude Sonner.

The American Legion Post No. 123 was represented at the funeral and the deceased, who was a Union soldier in the Civil War, was given a military burial, the Legion Boys conducing their ritualistic service at the grave.

Members of the Legion attending were Robert Hughes, Robert Lemmon, George Hurst, Reaugh Jordan, Edw. Rudicel, Philip Rosenbarger, Harry Morris, Jas B. Brewster, Asa Harbaugh and Straude Sonner. The following Civil War veterans attended: H.H. Wise, Henry Friedley, John Rainbolt, Luther Miller, and Valentine Montgomery.

The following obituary was read at the funeral: Robert Redden, son of Richard and Ellazan Redden was born January 10, 1846 at New Albany, Indiana, and died June 18, 1927, aged eighty-one years, five months, and eight days. On September 8, 1867, he married Clarinda Montgomery and to this union were born three sons and one daughter, William J., James A, Richard E., and Eva A. He is survived by his devoted wife, two sons, William J. of Corydon, James A. of Provo, Utah, one daughter, Eva A. Cunningham of Corydon, also two brothers, Charles of Corydon, and Mayo of New Amsterdam, Ind., and half-sister, Clara Isaacs, of Enid, Oklahoma, sixteen grandchildren and eight great grandchildren, and a host of other relatives and friends all of whom mourn because of his death. He was preceded in death by one son, Richard E., one sister, Amanda, and one brother, William, one half-brother, James, and two grandchildren.

On December 9, 1863, he enlisted as a member of the Thirteenth Indiana Cavalry and served his country faithfully until November 18, 1865, attaining the rank of Corporal and from then until his death was an ardent American citizen. He was in the engagement of Overall's Creek, Siege of Murfreesboro, Wilkinson's Pike and the Mobile Defenses.

On February 15, 1885, he united with the Methodist Church and from that time he lived a devoted Christian life so that when he realized that he must go he could say, "I long to meet my Savior face to face."

Uncle Robert, as he was familiarly known, was a favorite with all who knew him. He was never so happy as when meeting acquaintances or in some way shedding sunshine in the life of someone. He was a devoted husband, a loving father, and his presence will be missed by all.

A short time before going he called his loved ones to him and told them that all was well with him and extorted his sons and daughter to hold fast to the faith and to be friends of all. Who could have been more fitted by the exemplary life to leave such a message as father?

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The following obituary for Robert's wife, Clarinda Montgomery Redden, was found as a posting by Barbara D. Young on Rootsweb.com, on May 4, 1998. Although I have no reason to believe the information is not accurate, I don't know its source and haven't yet verified all of the information.

Obituary:

Mrs. Clarinda Redden, 80 years old, widow of Robert Redden, passed away early Saturday morning (June 4, 1932) at her home in Corydon following an illness of a complication of diseases.

Mrs. Redden was born May 1, 1852, in Washington Township, the daughter of Andrew J. and Joan Montgomery. Most of her life was spent in Washington Township. She had lived in Corydon several years. At the age of 14 she joined the Methodist Church at New Amsterdam and was a good Christian woman.

The survivors are two sons and a daughter, Jesse Redden and Mrs. John F. Cunningham of this county, and Alvin Redden of Provo, Utah; two sisters, Mrs. Anna Adams of Ramsey and Mrs. Dora Love, of Greencastle; a brother, James Montgomery of Eastbank, W. Va., fifteen grandchildren and thirteen grandchildren. Her husband, who was a Civil War veteran, died in 1927.

Funeral services were held at 2:30 o'clock Tuesday afternoon at the New Amsterdam United Methodist Church conducted by the Rev. E. Craig Brandenburg, pastor of Pfrimmer's Chapel U.B. Church, assisted by the Rev. Edward Rudicel, Corydon Christian minister. The pallbearers were Jas. N. Mason, Otto Kopp, Dressel Becker, Philip Rosenbarger, Jas. C. Kirkham, and Adna L. Harris, members of the Harrison Post No. 123, American Legion. Burial was in the church cemetery.