Miami County, Ohio Genealogical Researchers -- Sponsored by the Computerized Heritage Association


    GEORGE W. RIDDLE


    GEORGE W. RIDDLE Among those who for many years were actively identified with the business affairs of Miami county and have now been called from life's labors to the rest beyond the grave is George W. Riddle. Many of his friends are still living in Miami county, and will therefore gladly receive the record of his life. He was born on section 10, Staunton township, on the 14th of November, 1848. His father, Jacob Riddle, removed to Miami county from Hamilton county, Ohio, in company with his father, John Riddle, and entered a tract of land from the government in 1812, thus becoming owner of six hundred and forty acres in Staunton township. It was a few years after this that Jacob Riddle took up his abode upon the claim and transformed the wild tract into richly cultivated fields, constituting one of the best farms of the neighborhood. He was three times married. Before coming to Miami county he wedded Miss Tucker, and after her death he was joined in wedlock with Hope Stillwell. His third wife bore the maiden name of Patience Job. There were five children by the first union: Manning, Nancy, John, Mary; and Asenath, wife of L. Bull. The children of the second marriage were five in number, namely: William, Joseph, George, Albert and Mattie, all now deceased. There were no children by the third union. The father, who was born October 11, 1801, passed away August 16, 1871, in his seventieth year. He was a very prominent and influential member of the Baptist church, in which he served as deacon. He took an active part in the work of the church and in his life exemplified its teachings of charity and kindness. In his business affairs he won prosperity, so conducting his efforts that success in a high degree crowned his labors. George W. Riddle, whose name introduces this review, was indebted to the common school system for the educational privileges which he enjoyed. In the early spring months he put aside his text-books to assist his father in the work of the home farm and aided in the labors of field and meadow until after harvests were garnered in the autumn. Upon the home farm he remained until his marriage, which occurred September 22, 1870, the lady of his choice being Mary Duncan, a native of Staunton township and a daughter of Robert and Jane (McClintock) Duncan, both of whom were natives of Ireland, in which country they were married. On leaving the Emerald Isle they came to America, crossing the Atlantic in a sailing vessel, which, after a voyage of six weeks, reached a Canadian port, in 1831. They first located in New Brunswick and there remained until 1838, when they came by lake and canal to Ohio, making the journey from Columbus across the country to Miami county by team. For a year they resided in Lost Creek township, and then purchased the farm upon which Jacob Bowne now resides. There the father died February 12, 1866, at the age of fifty-eight years. They had a family of nine children: Margaret, who was born in Ireland, in November, 1830, became the wife of M. V. Houser, November 6, 1856, and died March 2, 1886; Isabella J., born January 16, 1833, resides with Mrs. Riddle; James R. died in New Brunswick; James, the second of the name, was born November 10, 1836, and is living in Spring Creek township; George, who was born January 10, 1839, is a ranchman, living in Reno county, Kansas; Ellen, born October 20, 1841, died at Bethel Church, August 16, 1857; John W., born November 17, 1843, died July 12, 1845; Catherine, born August 26, 1845, is the wife of Jacob Bowne; and Mary R., born April 6; 1849, is the widow of G. W. Riddle. Soon after their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Riddle removed to the farm upon which she still makes her home, and in 1874 the present residence was erected. Their union was blessed with three children, but they lost their first child, Willie, who was born in 1872 and died in infancy; William A., born October 3, 1875, is still on the home farm with his mother; and Lulu, born February 5, 1878, is now a student in the Wesleyan University at Delaware, Ohio. Mr. Riddle became the owner of an extensive and valuable tract of land of three hundred and twenty acres and carried on general farming and stock raising. He divided his place into fields of convenient size by well kept fences, and placed much of his land under a high state of cultivation. He also dealt in a high grade of stock, and that branch of his business proved a profitable one. Indolence and idleness were utterly foreign to his nature, and his earnest and consecutive endeavors, directed along well defined lines of labor, brought to him a merited success, so that he was able to leave his family in very comfortable circumstances. In politics he was a Republican-Prohibitionist, and his study of the issues of the day led him to give an intelligent support to the principles in which he believed, without blindly following party leadership. He was a member of the Bethel Methodist Episcopal church, in which he served as trustee and steward. He took an active part in its work and was interested in everything that pertained to the welfare and advancement of his fellow men. He died February 14, 1879, leaving to his family the priceless heritage of a good name. His wife still survives him, and, like her husband, is a Methodist in religious faith, her belief being exemplified in her life, her many excellent qualities being an indication of her Christian character.