Thomas Ridler 1831 - 1915

RIDLER, LANG, FULLER, HANSON

Posted By: Dorothy Gosse (email)
Date: 2/23/2011 at 08:53:54

Thomas Ridler, a pioneer citizen of
this section, passed away Monday
morning at 5:10 after an illness of a
few weeks incident to his advanced
age. The last service will be held from
the Baptist church Wednesday at 2
p. m. conducted by his pastor, Dr.
Kilgore assisted by Rev. Donald Grant,
of the Presbyterian church.
Thomas Ridler was born in England
May 3, 1831 and resided there until he
was eighteen years of age when he
came to America and located in New
York. In 1857 he came west and settled
on a farm near Peoria, Ill. December
16, 1859 he was united in marriage to
Miss Mary Lang at Peoria, who was
his faithful companion for more than
two score years.
They were the parents of five children—
three sons and two daughters—•
four of them are living, J. W. Ridler,
J. T. Ridler and Mrs. Mary A. Fuller,
of Oelwein, and C. H. Ridler, of
Chicago. A daughter, Mrs. J. W. Hanson
passed away in 1889.
In 1883 the family came to Oelwein
and settled on a farm near this city.
They continued to reside there till
1892 when they moved into the city
which has been his home for the past
twenty-three years. February 22, 1905,
Mrs. Ridler departed this life, since
which time he has made his home with
his children, residing for the past few
years with his son, J. T. Ridler on
North Frederick street. Besides the
four children he is survived by fifteen
grand-children and two great-grandchildren.
As a pioneer citizen of this section
Mr. Ridler was well and favorably
known by many people, and he numbered
his friends by his acquaintances,
for he was a kindly, genial old gentleman
of the old school, who made
and retained friends. "Uncle Thomas,"
as he was affectionately known by
many, always had a pleasant word for
all whom he met. He was an optimist
in the belief that this is a good world
and that the people are fairly good
and are worthy of confidence.
In his early manhood he became a
a member of the Baptist church and he
lived an upright, Christian life all
through the years of his active manhood
and declining years. He enjoyed
attending the services of his church
and in the lust few weeks of his life
he expressed faith in the Son of Man
in whom he had so long placed his
trust.
He was well preserved for a man of
his years, and during the early part of
the winter was seen on the streets
and never neglected to extend a pleasant
greeting to his acquaintances.
Like ripening grain he has been gathered
into the. store house. He has left
the record of a well spent life, one of
uprightness and integrity—a valuable
heritage to his children. He will be
laid to rest by the side of his life
companion in the city cemetery.

Oelwein Register - 3 Mar 1915
Note: burial at Oakdale Cemetery