The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1894-12-05

SUDDEN DEATH OF o. G. RIsDoN.


mortal sojourner. Col. o. c. Rlsdon, one o
our most respected and useful citizens, wa
suddenly taken from the home and family
so dear to him, and in brief period hi
earth life had passed into the book Of cher
ished memories.
Last Friday he left his store a few minute:
before l o'clock, his customary dinner hour
After partaking of the meal he retired to ar
| adjoining room, where he sat down in chaiI
for few minutes and then assayed to recline
upon a couch for brief respite from bust
ness duties. This was daily practice witt
him, and a peculiarly acceptable and restfu
experience.in the activities of his busy life
Ere his head had touched the pillow, the at
| tention of Mrs. Risdon, who bad momentari
ly entered the room, was attracted by pc
| culiar sound that seemed to come from heI
husbands throat, and quickly turning
toward him she was just in time to catch him
as he fell from the couch to the floor. But
he was past all human aid. Even then the
spirit was quitting its mortal abode, and in a
few momeuts the form of the loved husband
and father was stilled in the slumber of eter.
nal rest.
y, 4
p. M, from the house, Rev. James A. Brown,
Rector of Grace Episcopal Church officiating
The remains were taken to Maple Grove
Cemetery for ultimate interment. The bus
mess places of the city were closed during
the funeral, in respect for the memory OF
the deceased.
Messrs. Geo.F. Robinson, O. P. Sperra, W.
H. Beebe, G. L. Horr, c. C. Garfield. and E.
R. Taylor, acted as pail bearers.
ORLANDO C. RIsDoN was born in War
rensville, Ohio, May 9Th, 1910 and died in
Ravenna, Ohio, Friday, November 80, 1894,
at his home on West Bowery street, of
apoplexy and heart trouble.
He was one of family of eight children
born to T. J. and Alta Freeman Risdon. At
an early age he came with the family to
Shalersville, this county, where he made his
home during the years of his minority. Here
he learned the carpenters and wagon
makers trade. His education was self ac-
quired, obtained in part in the ordinary
schools provided for rural districts, and very
largely by assiduous reading and study in
the privacy of his room outside of school
hours and those belonging to manual pur-
suits. He was great reader and thinker
traits of character which followed him
through life, distinguishing his efforts and
crowning them with rich fruition.
In the spring of 1861 he enlisted in the 10Th
o. V. l.. for three months, and with loyal
heart marched out to the defense of his
country's political integrity. After the three
monthsiservice he returned home, and soon
afterward enlisted for three years in Co. F :,
And o. V. 1. (Garfeld's Regiment going
out as first Lieutenant. This was on Oct. z,
1861, and he served with distinguished abil-
ity and bravery until the close of the war.
He was speedily promoted to the rank OF
Colonel, in command of the 53rd Mississippi
(colored) Infantry. At the close of the war,
breveted Brigadier General, and remained
South another year, performing the duties
of paymaster of the Southwestern Division.
He was wounded, May 10, 1868, at the siege
of Vicksburg, being struck on the head by a
bullet, knocking him off his horse and rem
dering him unconscious. He subsequently
received a severe flesh wound in the hip
from bursting shell.
On retiring from the army he returned to
Shalersville, in January, 1866, in very feeble
health, since which time he has never en-
joyed his usual vigor, and has several times
been obliged to seek recuperation at the sea-
shore. He had been, however, of late in
unusually good health for him, and on the
morning of the day of his decease remarked
that he was feeling better and stronger than
he had for number of years, and seemed tC
be correspondingly elated over an apparent
ly prospective realization of continued phys
| ical Iecuperation. He made no complaint
of physical ailment or weakness. Only a
few minutes preceding his death he reiter
ated to Mrs. Risdon substantially what he
| had said in the morning.
In 1867 Mr.. Risdon entered into partner
ship with G. L. Horr, and engaged in th'
manufacture of cheese, at Shalersville, until
January, 1873, when he moved to Ravenns
to take the Office of Sheriff of Portage Co
He served two terms in this capacity, making
one of the best officials ever in the service O
the county. Shortly before the expiration
of his second term he purchased the interes
of S. n. Leach in the firm of Parsons
Leach, grocers, subsequently buying out Mr.
Parsons interest, and after several bushes
changes, the well known firm of Risdon
| Taylor was established.
December 18, 1867, he was married, in Sha
lersville, to Miss Nettie Crane, daughter o
E. NJ. and Sylvina S. Crane, of hattownship
Two daughtere were born to them, Clara
now young lady and a teacher in the Ra
VIENNA schools, and Nettie, about II years oi
age. His aged mother lives with her daugh
ter, in Cleveland, who, with brother now
resident of Omaha, are the only surviving
members of his fathers family.
Mr.. Risdon was a devoted member of tn,
Masonic fraternity, being member of Unit!
Lodge, Tyrian Chapter and the Akron Com
mandry; also member of Ravenna Lodg,
and Encampment 1. o. o. F., and of McIn
tosh Post, No. 327 G. A. R.
| Col. Risdon will be greatly missed by th
people of Ravenna. Aside from the higl
qualities attaching to his social characte
and estate. he was sound, safe, practica
business man, public spirited and concerned
for the best interests of the town and com
munity, moral and material. He was more
over of singular simplicity of manner, plain
unostentatious, but with the quiet decision
and dignity of the gentleman and man o
thought. AS husband, father, friend, ant
member of society, his domestic and socia
virtues adorned his life with the beauties O
affections depths and constancy. He wa
frank and outspoken in his utterances, sci
dom erring in his judgments of men ant
human affairs, which were formed from care
full observation and reflection. He was dis
tlnctively an optimist, having place in hi
mind for every legitimate hope and an ap
probation of the significance of events. Hi
heart was open to the wants and sorrows o
those about him, but what he did was don
quietly, and the full measure of his deeds
known only to Him whom men call On
niscience. His conduct was regulated b.
his conscience, and he has left a record tina
will perpetuate the memory of his life work