Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1897-05-04
IosAuA a. RlpLoN.


The subject Of this notice was the Sec
ond son Of Stephen and Miriam (whales)
Rhllor. He was born In Hiram July 81,
1888, married Eunice, daughter Of Eiiss
Gould, Dec. 2, 1861, aud died April II,
1897, aged 80 years and 8 months. He
was descendant In the sixth degree OF
Magnus Redland, who came from the
Arcsdian Isles 10 I'LL, and settled in "Od
York" His great-grandfather, Daniel
Redlon, ~, born In Sac0, was one OF tie
settlers Of Limerick, and In thst town
Stephen, father OF Joshua, was born.
Joshua r. Ridlon was rare and
original character, and any attempt to
write any analysis OF his remarkable
mental composition must be, to those
familiar with his life, very unsatlsfac-
tory. In him were united the rude
craft and heroic courage Of the typical
pioneer, and the finest sensibilities OF q
poetic spirit. Primitive In many OF his
outward manners, and old-fsshioned In
speech, he yet possessed taste OF refine
ment seldom found amongst men whose
environments were like his. He was
not school-made man, by any means,
but acquired knowledge 10 communion
with Nature. lie was good type OF the
class Of men mentioned by Bryant 10 his
"Old Mans Counsel:
"Among our hills and valleys. have known
wtse and grave men, who. while their dii-
gent hands
Tended or gathered in the fruits of earth
Were reverend learners In the solemn school OF
| Nature Not In vain 90 them was sent
| Seed time and harvest. or the vernal shower
| That darkencsi the brown tilth, or that beat
ON the white hills Each brought, In n, turn
Or recognition Of the Eternal mind.
Who vcils his glory with the elements"
From the mountain-side he hevel
down the forest and cleared his farm
here he made home for himself and
| family, and here he spent nearly all OF
his days. Whether swinging the axe In
the forest or cultivating his growing
crops he WIS always In touch With
Nature. Every plant and flower was an
object Of study; In these he saw more
than the outward form OF beauty; tn hin
there was incarnsted 10 the specimens
principles Of divine origin. and In then
he saw the effect Of law designed FOL
their peculiar growth. In the signing Of
the pines, the roaring OF the wind, th'
mutiering Of thunder, the song OF birds
and the drumbeat OF the grouse, he heard
voices that touched responsive chords IL
his own heart.
Mr.. Ridlon's mind was OF logica
mould. lie was fond OF investigation
hungry for useful and ents rtainini
kno Wedge. His perception was keeI
and far-reachipg. His methods of rea
soning from effect TO cause were purei,
original.
II He was a natural mechanic, and with
out borrowing Ideas from others ant
with remarkable self-reliance and facilit.
formed almost everything wanted from
wood, iron or stone. And he stamped
his own personality upon everything h
made; his wares looked like him; the!
were always heavy and strong.
He was fond Of children, music ant
flowers; he was entertaining alike q
old and young. His humor was OF tn
most quaint and original sort. His inim
table speeches will not soon be for
gotten. He said what no other man eve
could say, he performed what few woul'
attempt. When others were afraid b
was undaunted.
There was nothing narrow abou
Joshua X. Ridlon. He WAS big-hearte'
and OF generous disposition. His hos
pitality was cordial and without osteu
, tation. II he asked one 10 dine ut hi
home he meant all he said. His hous
was a Pilgrims Tavern" In very deed
There the latch-string WAS always out
, side. There was ever room at his hearth
, stone for zone more"
He was one OF the strongest me-
physically. that was resident In Oxfor
. County. Gigantic Of build, his fran
was knit together with muscles an
he could lift anything with 1.-TWO ends {
It." On one occasion when wager wa
, laid he shouldered five bushels Of whea
and carried II some distance into barr
He handled barrels Of pork, beef or eide
rs II play,hings. There were few me
= who had the contempt Of danger 10 II
i suit him or stand In his way when angry
But he WAS peaceable, and a good neigh
\ Dor. In the hour Of trouble or any nee
|, he responded promptly and cordially.
He was proud OF his family OF dutifr
. children and they Wed with each othe
Ia gentle ministries for his comfort dul
ing his illness. The loss OF his littl
son, killed by horse few years age
a was a terrible shock to Mr.. Ridlon an
he never fully recovered from it.
, He endured his sufierings while !
, with heroic fortitude and passed ava
without groan. He had anticipate
his death and was not afraid.
He will be sadly missed In the con
munity, and In his immediate neighboi
hood his place csnnOt be filled.
widow and four children, two sons an
two daughters, survive. His tuners
was attended by large assembly, an
many stout hearts were deeply moved q
his noble face Was looked upon for III
last time on earth. Services coaducte
5 by the writer from the words: "And III
Lord was with Joshus."
:. G.. Il. ribbon, SR.