Title	Mr.
Last Name	Blethen
First Name	Ralph
Middle Name	C.
Maiden Name
Nick Name
Place of Birth	Dexter, ME
Date of Birth	1871-06-15
Place of Death	Dexter, ME
Date of Death	1927-08-20
Publication	The Eastern Gazette 8-25-1927, p.5
Obituary	Ralph C. Blethen The many friends of Ralph C. Blethen were shocked Saturday by his death which occurred late in the afternoon at the Plummer Memorial hospital, after a very brief illness. Mr. Blethen, who was widely known in this section of the state as an optometrist, had been enjoying his usual health until he was taken ill soon after retiring Friday evening. His condition was such that physicians advised his immediate removal to the Plummer Memorial hospital. The deceased was born in this town June 15, 1871, the son of the late Mr. and Mrs. Henry A. Blethen. He was educated in the local schools and studied the eye under specialists in Boston and New York. Completing his education he established practice as an eye specialist in this section of the state, at the same time being in business as a jeweler on Main street. Of late years he has been intensely interested in agriculture and poultry breeding, conducting with his son, Alden C. Blethen, a large farm on the Charleston road. Mr. Blethen was also a large owner of real estate in this town. He was also the owner of cottages at Northport, where he spent the month of September each year. Mr. Blethen belonged to no fraternal orders. He was devoted to his home and enjoyed the friendship of a large circle of acquaintances in this and neighboring towns. Besides a widow, Mrs. Dora Blethen he is survived by two daughters, Miss Helena Blethen, who is a student at Boston University, Miss Elizabeth Blethen, who lives at home, and one son, Alden C. Blethen, of this town. Funeral services were held from the home Tuesday afternoon, all stores in the business section being closed from 1.30 until 3 o'clock, out of re- spect to Mr. Blethen. Rev. Stanley Gates Spear of Roxbury, Mass., formerly pastor of the First Universalist church in this town, officiated. The services were attended by many neighbors and friends of the deceased and there was a great profusion of floral offerings. The bearers were two cousins of the deceased, Walter N. and Harry W. Blethen, of Dover-Foxcroft with Albert L. Davis and A. L. Lyford of this town. Interment was in Mount Pleasant cemetery. The family has the sincere sympathy of a large circle of friends in their sudden bereavement.