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- Patrick Riordan Chilton Times March 18, 1911
One by one the pioneers who moved into the town of Rantoul over a half century ago are being gathered into the fold and so complete has been their passing that today there is scarcely a half dozen left of the band of first settlers of that sturdy race, who assisted in felling the forest in that town. On Sunday morning, Patrick Riordan had been in apparently good health until some three weeks ago when he caught a cold which developed into pneumonia, causing his death. The best of medical skill and care was procured but it was impossible to prolong his life. He had reached the advanced age of 77 years which was a handicap to his recovery. Patrick Riordan was a native of the county Galway, Ireland, where he was born Oct. 11, 1834. His parents joined the large procession of Irish emigrants who came to America in the latter part of the forties owing to the famine and started life anew.
His father secured work on the railroads, leaving his sons with a brother in the old home. He sent for his children later. Patrick, at the age of fourteen, joined his parents who had located in Dodge County, this state. In 1856 they moved into the town of Rantoul and purchased 120 acres of government land, erected a cabin and started the tasks of building a home. The farm on which Mr. Riordan died is the one that was purchased by his parents. In October, 1867, he was married to Elizabeth Harlow, who died April 1, 1910. He was a man of quiet disposition and attended strictly to his own affairs but was always unselfishly willing to assist a neighbor or deserving person whenever it was in his power. His home was the meeting place for old and young and his latch string always hung on the outside of his door. He was devoted to his family who wanted for nothing in the way of comfort that was in his power to give. He was a devout member of the Catholic church and from the early days until his death he was a constant attendant and supporter of St. Augustine's church in this city, from the early days until his death he was a constant attendant and supporter of St. Augustine's church in this city, from which he was buried on Tuesday morning, Requiem High Mass being celebrated by Rev. Fr. Geo. A. Clifford and a large number of his old neighbors and friends being present to pay the last respect to a good man. Interment was made in the family lot in St. Augustine's cemetery.
He is survived by three sons, John at home, Jas. And Robert of Oconto Falls; one daughter, Mrs. Frank Mihm of Potter; two brothers, Thos. of Hickory, Oconto county and Michael of Hazelton, Ia.; two sisters, Miss Anna Riordan and Mrs. Dennis Boland, all of whom were present at the funeral
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1837 - 1911 (73 years)