Mrs. Thomas (Mary) Ridler 1824 - 1905

RIDLER, LANG, HANSON

Posted By: Dorothy Gosse (email)
Date: 2/23/2011 at 08:47:56

The death of Mrs. Thomas Ridler
last Wednesday removed from this city
a well known woman whose Christian
life has been a light to the pathway of
her family and friends. She had been
ill but a short time when the summons
came, and she passed to her reward.
The funeral occurred from the Baptist
church Friday afternoon, Rev. A. R.
Toothacre officiating, and it was attended
by a large number of friends
and neighbors. Interment in the
Oelwein cemetery.
Mary Lang was born in Devonshire,
England, April 10, 1824, and came to
America in 1857. She was united in
marriage to Thomas Ridler in Peoria,
Ill., December 16, the same year, and
they continued to reside there for four
years. In I86l they moved to El Paso,
Ill., where they continued to reside till
January 1883 when tiny came to this
vicinity, and owned and occupied the
Centennial Stock Farm, southwest of
Oelwein, until the fall of I893 when
they moved into Oelwein where they
have continued to reside. Five children
were born to Mr. and Mrs. Rider.
J. W., Mary A., J. T., C. H. and
Emma J.. all of whom are living except
Mrs. Emma J. Hanson who died
March 5, 1889.
She was not strong for a number of
years yet all hoped that she would overcome
her recent illness, but it was
willed otherwise arid she fell asleep in
Jesus February 22 1905 aged 80 years,
10 months and 12 days. Early in life
she gave her heart to the risen Lord,
and always lived a true, Christian
wife, mother and neighbor. Her religion
was not a mere incident in her
life. Her constant prayer and the tonic
of her conversation was not of the
things of this world, but for the prosperity
of her church and the higher
welfare of her family, friends and
neighbors.
She leaves to mourn her loss a husband,
three sons who were present
with her during her last hours on
earth, and one daughter who was unable
to be present, also other relatives
and friends who learned to love her for
her beautiful,helpful Christian character.
This was shown in part by the
elaborate floral offerings at the last
services.
She was always present at the Sunday
services and also at the prayer
meetings of the Baptist church of
which she was a member. On the first
Thursday evening of her last illness,
when too sick to go to the prayer service,
she wrote out a short testimony
and sent it to her pastor, Rev. Toothacre,
and we publish it as a side-light
on her life:

Oelwein Register - 1 Mar 1905
Note: burial at Oakdale Cemetery