The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1899-09-09
Labored in the Lords Vineyard for
-Four Score Years and Ten.
A LIFE PURE, SUNNY, ACTIVE.
He Joined the Virginia Conference in
1881. aud Filled ihe Most Im-
pOrtant Stations within Its
Grasp-A sketch OF His
Long and Interest
ing Career.

I'm the death OF Rev. james Andrew Rid
dick. who passed away last night m
Petersburg. after long illness. aged
cighty-uine years. the oldest member of
the Virginia Methodist Conference is re-
moved from earth. For sixty-elght years
he had been a minister of the gospel.
though not in active service OF late on ac-
count Of falling health.
DR. Rddick was a man Of the most
sunny disposition. Ills life was one OF
purity and filed with good works Though
bowed beneath the weight of nearly
ninety years. his mind was clear almost
up TO the moment of dissolution. lie is
survived by five chldren-Dr. James O..
Riddick of Norfolk: Mrs. Judge $. S.
We.siger Mrs. Judith Smith. and Misses
Bette and Emma Riddick. AN of Peters
burg. iio also has a number Of relatives
i'm this city.
HIS CAREER.
James Andrew RIldck was born IN Gates
county. near Suubury y. g.. September
13. 1910 being on his m0thcrs side a direct
descendant of the wclLknoWn Aston fam
ily of the old North State.
After receiving the best education that
the schools of the neighbOrhOod afforded,
the young man. in his sixteenth year
went tO Suffolk 90 become a clerk in the
mercantile establishment of his brother
Mr. James Mcclure a man distinguished
for his piety and lberality. Mr.. Mcclure s
home was the Mecca for Methodist minis
tors and here DR. Riddick met such emil
nent divines ass Dr Daniel Hall Rev. Mel
Vile b. Cox. Bishop McKendree, Henry
Holmes. Hezekah @. Leigh, Etheibert
Drake. benjamin Devaney, Martin i.
Parks and others.
A. was association with such men as
these that Mr.. Riddick became imbued
with the spirit of preaching. In 1881, be
went o. Brunswick county 10 engage in
mercantile business with bis brother He
became converted at camp-meetins.
however. and in the following year hav-
ng met John Wesley Childs. so wei re-
mombercd for his piety. closed his business
and went with him 90 the Conference az
Norfolk in tho month of February where
he took an appointment under Presiding
Elder John Early and was sent 20 help
Rev. Jesse Powers ON the Amelia CIR
cult.
RECEIVED ON TRIAL
At the next meeting of the Conference.
held i'm Petersburg I'm February. l>3 Doc
was received on trial and sent as am ass
efstant to he Roy. John n. watson ON
the Prince Edward Circuit The follow
ing yoar Doc var put in charge OF Meek
lcnbure Circuit. whore he met with gre1i
success.
I'm 1895 DR. Riddick was appointed 90
shockoe Zoo this city, and for seven years
following Doe continued Go hll the most
important stations in the Conference
When the Conference met in Portsmouth
in 1852 Ir. Riddick asked for county
appointment ON account of his h'altn'
and was sent back to Amelia Circuit
During 1872 he married Miss Judith a.
Gregory. who made him model Whe
She died number of years ago
In 1915 after nlling Charlotte and Anne
liza Circuits bis ul-hctth forced Dim Co
discontinue until 1880. when Doe resumed
his labors. retiring 90 Amelia Circuit
Thence he went 90 old Randolph-Macon
District where be remained four years,
when. no the request OF the trustees OF
Murfreesbor0 Female College, he was
made presiding elder Of the newiy-iormed
district known as Murfreesboro where,
also. be remained four years being ap-
pc nted 10 SUSSEX Circuit n 1859 and 1850.
At the Conference OF 1861. De took a
relation and settled on a
farm al stony Creek ~ Sussex county.
va. Tie remained ON his Yarn until after
the civil war when be removed 20 Po-
torsburg. where he lived the rest Of his
days OF late years he had been writing
articles for different periodicals.
FIRST METHODIST MINISTER.
-Four members Of the Riddick family
were ministers Of the Gospel. The SUBJ
jeei 0f this sketch was The first Of tho
name TO become a minister ana member
of the Virginia Conference of the Meth0-
dist Episcopal Church. South
Dr. Riddick was always classed among |
the best busincs men of the Conference
For "a number Of years be was secretary |
Of the Conference Missionary Society |
and assistant secretary Of the Conference |
Since the death of the venerable james |
AlcAden. in 1883. he had been the senior /