674
RIDLONS OF HIRAM, MAINE.
5
Stephen Ridlon (2), seventh son of Matthias (3), was born in
Sweden, Me., May 2, 1843; married and settled near his father's home,
in his native town. He is tall, slender, light-complexioned, moderate in
his movements, and unassuming in his manners. Farmer and cooper. He
has five children (probably more), of whom hereafter.
He
Daniel-Decker Ridlon5 (6), eldest son of Samuel (2), was born in
Cornish, Me., May 5, 1818; married Olive T. Stacy, July 12, 1840, and
settled in Porter, Oxford County. His first wife died soon after their
marriage, and he married, secondly, Dec. 6, 1845, Mary A. Fox. Has ten
children, of whom hereafter. He kept a store at Cornish Village, in ear-
ly life, but subsequently settled upon a large farm; has served as deputy-
sheriff and selectman; deals extensively in lumber and live-stock. He is
a good financier, sagacious, far-seeing, cautious, considerate, perceptive,
and energetic. His mind is of a discriminating cast, his judgment generally
correct. He is conversational, sarcastic, and mirthful, developing many
traits closely resembling his namesake, Daniel Decker, of Hollis.
has been quite successful in business, and acquired a good property.
Kind-hearted and benevolent, he ministers of his means to assist the
poor and needy. He is a man of public spirit, and manifests a deep in-
terest in matters of polity. A great reader and profound thinker, he has
acquired a fund of practical information, which, supplementing his good
natural ability, qualifies him to act in almost any responsible capacity,
making him a very useful citizen and neighbor. He is sedate and some-
times appears cold, distant, and stern, but a warmer heart than his never
beat in human breast. In personal appearance he shows the characteris-
tics of the Ridlons and Stanleys; tall and well formed, compact and in-
clined to corpulency, nervous and muscular, and so strong that he has
never found his equal as a wrestler. His hair and beard were originally
dark, but now almost white, his eyes gray, features regular, and his upper
lip long and thick.
Thomas Ridlon" (8), second son of Samuel¹ (2), was born in Cornish,
Me., in 1820; married Ruth Mason, March 5, 1840, and died June 27,
1858. He was a cooper and farmer, and lived near the homestead of his
father, in Hiram, Oxford County, Me. He worked very hard until his
health failed; probably overwork hastened his death. He was tall, broad-
shouldered, muscular, and possessed of great physical endurance; hair
dark-brown, beard brown, eyes hazel, forehead broad, full, and high, fea-
tures regular, expression pleasant. Mr. Ridlon was honest, kind-hearted,
social; all his excellent traits, supplemented by the graces of religion,
made him a useful citizen, good neighbor, husband, and father. Had
issue six children, of whom hereafter.
William Ridlon' (8), third son of Samuel (2), was born in Hiram,
Me., March 20, 1822, and died in April, 1840.
Susan Ridlon (5), eldest daughter of Samuel (2), was born in
Hiram, Me., Feb. 7, 1824; was married in May, 1842, to Jacob Nason.
(eldest son of David and Betsey (Ridlon) Nason), her cousin, and left
issue. Died in 1846.
Sarah Ridlon (7), second daughter of Samuel (2), was born in
Hiram, Me., Jan. 10, 1826; was married, May 7, 1848, to John Merryfield,
and lived on a farm in her native town. Her husband was killed in a
mill, at Kezar Falls Village, in 1874, and left issue. She was married,
