The Other Story of Belle

“My father, John Shep Ridenhour, the son of Martin and Sarah Ridenhour, was born December 14, 1849, and died in February, 1920. He was born where the first school now stands and lived there until he was 12 years old. Then he moved to the country where he lived until he married my mother, Dorcas Ann Griffith, daughter of David and Rebecca K. Griffith. They were married on November 10, 1870 at the Griffith home, a half mile from the Francis Cemetery where they both life now. 

My father taught two short terms of school one-half mile from the Buck Elk Creek where they lived. In 1873, he bought the store and dwelling from D. Thomas Jones from Rolla and moved there. He operated what was known as the Shep Ridenhour General Store until 1915. All the children were born and lived at the home near the store. My father gave land for the first school in Belle, and also land for the First Christian Church. Father also gave every other lot to the railroad company to get the town stationed here. He also named the post office. John Shep Ridenhour named the town and post office Belle, not for any individual, as it was one time told by a girl who once lived in Belle. Ms. Gusta Jones was given the honor to name the main street, which she called Alvarado. She was the wife of Dr. Jones of Belle, our only family doctor. 

– Excerpts from an article written by Ella Koenig in 1969.