Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1899-08-29
DEATH oe DANIEL o a,ploN ESQ

DEATH OF DANIEL o. RiOlON, ES{
| DANIEL DECKER RrpL0x, eldest so
OF Samuel and Esther (Stanley} RidloI
WAS Of Morse descent, Ia the ntth deert
from Msxnus Redland, who came to Ne
Englsnd from the Orkney Isles In III,
lie Was horn 10 Cornish, Ne, June
isis, and died 10 Porter, Oxford Co
Aug. Is, 1899, aged 81 years and tw
months.
| Mr.. Ridlon early engaged In trade {
kezar Falls on the PArsonsfield aide 9
the Great Ossipee, but soon removed TO
large farm In Porter, where he reside
many years engaged In farming, liy
stock dealing and cooperage. He earl
manifested deep interest In local polii
ical, affairs, and became dtligent resde
Of political, hlstorical, and Biblical Liter
ature, and this habit once form, d contlu
ued until few weeks before his death
He served many years as deputy sheriff
10 Oxford County, and was, during TIL
time, conspicuous and Interesting fig
ure at the Paris courts. He also serve,
his town ~ selectmap, and In other posi-
tions OF trust. He was q bold and fear
less advocate Of any cause he espoused
and his fiuency Of speech, ready mem
DRY and biting sarcasm made him ,
formidable opponent OF what he coul,
not endorse.
Asa townsmsn and nelghbor he hst
not many equals for kindliness, sym
patty and disinterested benevolence. Il
he WAS aware Of the existence Of any
distress, whether from sickness or pow
erty, he found no rest by day nor sleey
by night until he had visited them AND
done something for their relief. II some
poor townsman had q large family oil
children he would purchase them 4
COW and give them the use Of Il.
Having had virulent attack Of small
pox while nj work In Portland when q
young man. he was afterward called
upon as an immune TO 90 and care fol
those who were affected with this NAL.
adv, and would watch with them day
and night for weeks until out OF danger,
scarcely finding an hour to sleep. No
self-denial or sacrifice was too great II
he could be Of service to those In need,
he was, however, 10 consequence OF his
well-known kindness and benevolence,
sometimes imposed upon by dishonest
persons, and by seeking to aid them in an
hour OF supposed need lost considerable
property.
His affection for and kindness to chill
dren made for him msny warm friends
among the young, and this attachment
continued undated through life. All
called him "Uncle Daniel" aud greeted
him with great cordially when they
CHANGED TO meet him.
He WAS fond of athletic sports when
young, aud became champion wrestler.
In one OF his muscular encounters he
sustained fracture OF one Of his limbs,
which incspacitated him for work for
some time. In this sport he was sn
adept and seldom found his equal. This
leads 10 an incident which was charsc-
,eristic Of the man. Meeting an old
friend two years ago, who was twelve
years his senior and who was equally
dull Of hearing. he said TO him In = loud
tone, fxcetiously: swell, Uncle 1.iss,
we have wrestled hundred times. and
once In a while, you would take me
down" Springing 10 his feet with the
agility Of bis youth, the old veteran,
then rising ninety, shouted, Yes, and
by Cd, l can do II now" For mo-
meut this quite non-plussed "Uncle
Daniel" but he retorted: "why, you
ought TO, you are older than | sm."
Mr.. Ridlon was a mstchless story
teller, and will long be remembered by
the old members Of the Oxford County
Bar as he entertained them while attend
ing court with his inimitxble anecdotes
and witty sallies. At the fireside Ia the
hotels at Paris, or among spectators at
the court house, he was well-kuown for
his good nature and keen humor.
He Was, when in his prime, man OF
and distinguished personal
appearance. OF good height, erect,
broad shouldered aud of full habit, and
having = penetrating black eye and de-
aspect, he WAS noticed by
strangers as man Of quality.
Having large family Of children
married and settled around him, he has,
lstterly, gone from house 10 house TO
spend an hour with each, and they WED
with one another 10 do him honor and
10 his enjoyment.
As 9 good citizen, kind neighbor and
parent, and entertaining CON-
psnion, Daniel ID. Ridlon will be greatly
missed and sincerely lamented.
He was twice married. His first wife,
Miss Olive L. Stacy, 10 whom he WAS
married July IL, 1910, soon died. He
secondly, Miss Mary A. Fox,
Dec. ., lsl5. She died some eight years
ago. Eight children, four sons and four
daughters. survive him.
G.. L. RIpLoN, SIR.