James William (J. W.) Ridler 1859-1926

RIDLER, LONG, BENNETT, BUTLER, PUTMAN, FULLER

Posted By: Dorothy (email)
Date: 5/10/2010 at 14:16:11

James William Ridler, eldest son of Thomas Ridler
and Mary Long Ridler, was born October 3rd, 1859 at
Kikapoo, Peoria county, Illinois, and died at his
home 416 First Avenue E, Oelwein, Fayette County,
Iowa, February 5, 1926 at the age of 67 years, 4
months and 2 days.
He was the first of a family of five children. As
a child of two years, in 1862, he moved with his
parents to El Paso, Ill. Here he spent his childhood
days, attended the public school, worked with his
father on the farm and grew to maturity. In 1883,
when he was 24 years of age, the family settled on a
farm four miles southwest of Oelwein. William, for
that is the name he went by, remained on the farm with
the family for a number of years after coming to Iowa.
After some years he came to Oelwein, and in order
engaged in several different successful business
enterprises. The later years of his life he spent his
time looking after his property interest, the
accumulation of years of industry and thrift.
He was united in marriage October 22, 1890 to Nettie
Belle Bennett. To this union were born two daughters,
Lelia Jewell, now Mrs. Roy Butler of Oelwein and
Aline Mary who was still home with her father. Their
mother died February 6th, 1908. Seven years later,
April 22, 1915, he was married to Elsie Francis Putman.
Mr. Ridler was a member of the local lodge of the
Knights of Pythias and of their advanced degree D. O.
K. K., holding his membership in Waterloo. In his
youth he became a member of the Baptist church in
El Paso, Ill. He was an honorable and upright man,
reputed for his strict honesty and thorough dependabulity.
His business success grew out of good judgment, great
industry and unusual thrift. Mr. Ridler was well
known in his community and highly regarded by his
neighbors and fellow citizens and considered one of
Oelwein foremost citizens.
He is survived by his wife, his two daughters, one
sister, Mrs. Mary Fuller of Bloomington, Ill., two
brothers, John T. Ridler of Oelwein and Charles H.
Ridler of Los Angeles, California and one grand
daughter, Nettie Belle Butler of Oelwein, Iowa.
Burial services were conducted at the home 416 1st
Avenue East and at Grace Methodist church, Sunday,
Feb. 7th at 2:30 by Rev. A. W. Henke, minister of the
church. Interment was made in Woodlawn cemetery,
Oelwein, Iowa.

Oelwein Daily Register - 8 Feb 1926