John Bolden, born in slavery, escaped from his owner and served with the Union Army in Ohio. After establishing a home in Ridge Farm, he returned to Tennessee to get his wife, Ann. He operated a blacksmith shop on West Main Street for years. Mrs. Bolden cleaned and pressed clothes for Dr. A. A. Clark and others. The ten Bolden children attended schools here. Mr. and Mrs. Bolden, members of the Ridge Farm Methodist Church, are buried in Crown Hill Cemetery.