724
RIDLONS OF PORTER, MAINE.
has five children, of whom hereafter. Mr. Ridlon was employed by his
brother William, in Boston, several years. He subsequently settled on a
farm in Porter. He is a very large, corpulent man; has dark hair and
gray eyes. A successful farmer. Quite eccentric in his habits.
6
Mary-Jane Ridlon (55), only daughter of William (11), was born in
Porter, Me., Aug. 27, 1835; was married to Daniel Durgin, and has issue.
Lives in Porter.
John-R. Ridlon (37), second son of William' (11), was born in Porter,
Me., March 8, 1838, and died unmarried, Aug. 25, 1860. He had black
hair and beard, the latter very heavy; was well formed, erect, command-
ing, and handsome in person.
6
William Ridlon (22), third son of William' (11), was born in Porter
Me., Jan. 18, 1842; married Dec. 26, 1863, to Ruth R., daughter of Wil-
liam Taylor, and has two beautiful daughters, of whom hereafter. He
went to Boston, Mass., in 1858, and worked in a brick-yard. In 1862 he
drove a piano-team in Boston. Taught winter school in Maine in 1865-6
and 1867-8. Was town-clerk of Porter from 1866 to 1869, when he re-
turned to Boston and commenced business as an expressman, where he
has since continued successfully. From a small beginning, by close atten-
tion to the requirements of his customers, he has augmented his business,
constantly winning new patrons and adding to his facilities, until he has a
large number of men and many fine teams employed. He has become
fully acquainted with the piano trade, and conducts his business on a plan
so systematic that his customers esteem him very highly, and repose per-
fect confidence in his honesty and ability. He gives his personal atten-
tion to his office-business, and fills his orders with promptness and precis-
ion. Few men stand higher in business relations in the city. His office
is on La Grange Street, near Washington. He stands nearly six feet and
six inches in height, weighs about two hundred and sixty pounds; has very
broad chest and shoulders, thick neck, and fine, well-poised head. His hair
and beard are black, eyes dark-hazel, features regular, expression of face
pleasant. He has a noble, generous heart, and is a genial, social gentle-
man. He is always cool-headed and self-possessed; he is firm in his grasp
of opinion, considerate, and of sound judgment. Physically, intellectual-
ly, and socially, he is as fine a specimen of manhood as can be found in
New England. He has fitted up a beautiful home in Somerville, where,
when the business of the day is over, with his amiable, pleasant family
around him, he finds a quiet rest; and there his guests will find a hospi-
tality of the most generous and interesting character. Mr. Ridlon has
acquired a competency and is able to surround himself with all the ma-
terial concomitants of life. The fine steel engraving of Mr. Ridlon in this
book was kindly donated by him at a cost of seventy-five dollars, and is
an excellent likeness and nice specimen of art. William has kindly
assisted the author in the publication of this book, and to him the family
are largely indebted for its early issue.
Joseph-S. Ridlon (13), third son of William (11), was born in Porter,
Me., June 15, 1845; married Frances L. Tripp, and resides in Boston,
Mass., where he has been employed for many years by his brother Wil-
liam in the express business. He is tall and heavy, weighing about two
hundred and twenty pounds; has light hair and eyes; good-natured and
jovial. One son, of whom hereafter.
Mary Ridlon (56), eldest daughter of Ephraim³ (4).
