PLYMOUTH |
The Encyclopaedia of Plymouth History |
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RICHARD RISDON
Mr Richard Risdon was born at Ilsington, near Newton Abbott, Devon, and after receiving his education at Bovey Tracey Grammar School joined his father in business as a farmer and baker. In 1866 he succeeded to the confectionery business of Messrs Polkinghorne and Company, in George Street, Plymouth, and moved in to the Town. He was later joined by two of his sons and the business became Messrs R Risdon & Sons. Sometime around the late 1870s he and his younger brother, Mr John Risdon, purchased the corn milling business of Mr John Tregillus at West Hoe Road, Millbay, which was then operated as Messrs J & R Risdon. Mr Risdon became a member of the Devon and Cornwall Millers' Association and the National Association of British and Irish Millers. Messrs W H and J H Ball later became partners in the mill. He was also a member of the Plymouth Court of Guardians and a Justice of the Peace for the County of Devon, sitting at the Roborough Petty Session Court. After serving as a Liberal councillor for the Saint Andrew's Ward and, later, the Hoe Ward, Richard Risdon was elected Mayor of Plymouth in November 1900. His term in office was noted for its many happy social events, which included garden parties held at his new country residence, Smallack, in the parish of Eggbuckland. He was a keen attendee of the George Street Baptist Chapel but when he became confined to his home at Eggbuckland he transferred to the parish church of Saint Edward's. He became rather infamous as the heaviest Mayor to have ever occupied the civic chair. Mr Richard Risdon, Mayor of Plymouth, died suddenly shortly after 10pm on the night of Tuesday July 16th 1901. The funeral took place at Eggbuckland Parish Church on the afternoon of Saturday July 20th 1901. Sources:
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