668
RIDLONS OF HOLLIS, MAINE.
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Marietta, O., and sustained serious injuries; two limbs were fractured, his
head badly cut, and his whole body bruised. He was so highly esteemed
by the company in whose employ he was injured, that his pay was con-
tinued during his long illness, his expenses paid, and a valuable gold-
watch was presented him, within the case of which is a beautifully com-
posed inscription, which epitomizes his courage, fidelity, and disinterested-
ness as a man and engineer. On his recovery he was promoted to the
position of conductor, and has filled that responsible station ever since,-
a period of some twenty years, to the entire satisfaction of the company,
and with the highest approval of the traveling public. Mr. Ridlon has
been a member of the Baptist Church from early life, and illustrates in
his daily example the qualities of a true Christian. He is an excellent
singer, and when in Maine was a member of the choir in the Freewill
Baptist church at West Buxton. He has a fine residence at Norwood,
O., about ten miles from the city of Cincinnati, and only a few rods from
the railway-station. His house is situated some way back from the public
street, and surrounded by beautiful grounds, ornamented with trees and
shrubbery; here, with his pleasant family, he leads a quiet and happy life.
His height is about five feet ten inches, shoulders broad, hair and beard
nearly black, eyes hazel, features like his eldest brother, expression seri-
ous; in movement moderate, in disposition quiet, unobtrusive, and retir-
ing. He is considered by all classes as an honest, straight-forward man.
Col. Nicholas Ridlon (3), only son of Robert (3), was born in Hol-
lis, Me., April 18, 1815; married Mary F., daughter of John and Ruth
(Blake) Rand, of Gorham, and is now (1883) living on the homestead
farm where he was born. He early developed a military taste, became
a commissioned officer in an independent company known as " Hollis Light
Infantry," and ascended in the scale of promotions to lieutenant-colonel
when a young man; he commanded a brigade, when about thirty years of
age, at a general muster. Colonel Ridlon was a handsome, efficient, and
respected soldier, and was held in the highest esteem by his command. His
voice was clear and powerful, and could be heard at a great distance; he
was equipped with splendor, was an expert rider, and when gracefully
mounted upon a rampant horse he presented a grand and imposing appear-
ance; indeed, he was as much at home in saddle, as a "Tartar of the
Plains," always sitting erect, and apparently indifferent to the antic
movements of his horse, the use of which, when hired, sometimes cost him
ten dollars a day. He carried a sword formerly owned by Col. Joshua
Emery, of Hollis, which he was always proud of; but, at the importuni-
ties of the descendants of its former owner, who desired to preserve it in
their family as an heir-loom, he has sold it. Subsequent to his military
career he became proprietor and landlord of a public house at North Hol
lis, known as the "Sweat Tavern" or "Brick Tavern," which he kept for
many years, and sustained a larger patronage than any of his successors.
Colonel Ridlon is about six feet in height, weighs one hundred and ninety
pounds, has bald crown, sandy complexion, deeply-wrinkled face, and in
features resembles the Cousens family, of which his mother and grand-
mother were members. He is genial, conversational, and enjoys com-
pany; has a fancy for a fine team of oxen, carries on a small farm, and
The author feels under obligation to record his acknowledgments due Alpheus
G. Ridlon, for his great kindness bestowed, while visiting the West, to collect data
for this book, and especially for his devoted care and sacrificing attention to my
needs, while sick at Webb's Prairie, Ill., - a kindness never-to-be-forgotten.
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