RIDLONS OF HOLLIS, MAINE.
667
Susan (Nason) Usher, of Hollis, and has two children, of whom hereafter.
He was employed as clerk in the store of Colonel Robie when young, and
subsequently engaged in trade for himself in Gorham Village. He is a
man of excellent business capacity, and by application and good manage-
ment has built up a large trade, and is now in affluent circumstances. He
has been the recipient of many honors bestowed by his townsmen; presi-
dent of Gorham Bank, president of Gorham Seminary, selectman, repre-
sentative, deacon of Congregational church, and has filled many other
positions of trust in town and County. He is a Republican, and an out-
spoken advocate of the cause of temperance. Progressive and public-
spirited, he is one of the foremost in all movements designed to bless his
fellow-creatures, and exerts a wide and healthy influence in his community.
His height is about six feet; his frame large and well-knit; his movements
moderate, features regular, complexion fair, and his hair and beard now
nearly white. In disposition thoughtful, serious, and straight-forward;
kind of heart, courteous, graceful in his carriage, and at times conversa-
tional. He is sagacious, discriminating, far-seeing, and careful in all
things. Since the death of his father he has owned the homestead farm
in Hollis, now carried on by his nephew, Greenleaf Ridlon.
Dea. Jesse-Hopkinson Ridlon (1), third son of Joseph (1), was
born in Hollis, Me., in 1818; married Sarah B. Hopkinson, of Limington,-
his cousin, and resided for many years in the northern part of that town.
He learned the trade of carpenter and builder, and carried on farming at
times. He moved to the city of Portland, and during his latter years was
in the employ of Staples & Son, machinists, in their pattern-shop. He
was many years a prominent member of the Calvinistic Baptist Church,
and served in the office of deacon while resident in Portland. Mr. Rid-
lon was of medium height, round, compact build, and inclined to corpu-
lency; his features regular, face oval, and complexion fair; hair and beard
nearly white in later years. He was social, pleasant, and unassuming in
manners; peaceful and honest in all his relations in life. He was in every
sense a model, Christian gentleman, and was held in the highest esteem
by all who knew him. He died in Portland in May, 1873, leaving a
widow, by whom he had issue an only child long ago deceased.
Lieut. John-M. Ridlon' (16), fourth son of Joseph (1), was born
in Hollis, Me., May 16, 1822; married Sarah M. Phelps, of Oshkosh, Wis.,
and settled as a merchant at Lawrence, Mich. He carried on business in
two stores at the same time, and was considered a successful trader, but
he subsequently gave up merchandising and removed to other parts. His
present place of residence (1884) is Lawrence, Mich. Mr. Ridlon was
an officer in the Federal army during the war of the Rebellion, and
proved a good soldier. He is quite tall, round, solid, and well porpor-
tioned; has black hair and beard, and in his features and facial expression
resembled his brothers before mentioned; called a handsome man.
has issue three children, of whom hereafter.
He
Alpheus-G. Ridlon (1), fifth son of Joseph' (1), was born in Hollis,
Me., Jan. 8, 1822; married Sarah Stiles of Gorham, and has had issue
three children, of whom hereafter. He has spent the most of his days on
the railroad. Drove a locomotive on the Eastern Railroad between Bos-
ton and Portland, until he became a proficient engineer, then went West
and found employment on the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad, which was
under the management of New England men. He was thrown from a
trestle-work with his locomotive, while running between Cincinnati and
