Riddle Surname

The Riddle family hails from Scotland. Although this specific family probably came from Scotland, it is said that the linguistic origin of the name is Scandinavian. The original name, Ryedale, means "valley of the rye." When the Scottish got a hold of the name, the spelling adapted to the way that they pronounced the name. The earliest Riddles in our line were living in Pennsylvania in the mid 1700's. More than likely, they had migrated from Ireland or Scotland shortly before this time.

John Riddle was born circa 1745 in Pennsylvania ¹. He died circa 1798 in Pennsylvania or Ohio.

The names of John's parents or any details of his early life are unknown. In 1768, he married Mary Duncan and they settled in the part of Mifflin County, Pennsylvania that is now Juniata County. According to one source, one of their daughters [Margaret] was "Scotch, Irish, Welsh and Dutch." John and his family lived in Fermanagh Township. Family record indicates that John died in about 1798, leaving his widow Mary with a large family of children. There is a possibility that John and his family had moved to Ohio shortly before his death; as there is record of some of his children in Ohio as early as 1798.

Whether or not John died in Ohio, his widow and all of his children moved there. In 1807, his widow married the Rev. Seth Noble in Ohio. At that time it is said she was a resident of "New Brunswick" (I have not been able to find reference to a location of this name anywhere but in Canada). Seth Noble died some months later and she later remarried a man by the name of Magill. When the family moved to Ohio, they may have first settled in Franklin County or in Miami County. Eventually, most of the children settled in Madison County.

1	Elizabeth Riddle was born on January 12, 1769 in Fermanagh Twp., Mifflin (now Juniata) Co., Pennsylvania 1. She died between 1860-1870 in Concord Twp., Champaign Co., Ohio. She married James Mitchell on February 27, 1806 in Champaign Co., Ohio 2. (He was born in Pennsylvania and died between 1840-1850 in Concord Twp., Champaign Co., Ohio.) They had the following children: unknown male Mitchell unknown female Mitchell Julia Ann Mitchell (1811-1900) md. James Edward Russell
2	Margaret Riddle was born on January 12, 1769 in Fermanagh Twp., Mifflin (now Juniata) Co., Pennsylvania 1. She died on March 19, 1852 in Money Creek Twp., McLean Co., Illinois. She is buried in the Pennell Cemetery, Towanda, McLean Co., Illinois. She married Albert Ogden circa 1795. (He was born on May 20, 1768 in Albany, Albany Co., New York and died on August 13, 1845 in Money Creek Twp., McLean Co., Illinois. He is buried in the Pennell Cemetery, Towanda, McLean Co., Illinois.) They had the following children: Abner Ogden (c. 1798-1828) md. Margaret Alkire Mary Ogden (c. 1798-1835) md. James R. Dawson Susannah Ogden (c. 1800-???) Jonathan Ogden (1801-???) Benjamin Ogden (1803-???) John Ogden (1807-???) Samuel Ogden (1809-???) Deborah Ogden (1809-???) There is no proof that Margaret Riddle who married Albert Ogden was the same Margaret Riddle, daughter of John and Mary of Mifflin County, Pennsylvania. As far as I know, I am the only researcher to propose this connection.
3	Agnes Riddle was born on July 25, 1770 in Fermanagh Twp., Mifflin (now Juniata) Co., Pennsylvania 1. She died on April 13, 1776 in Fermanagh Twp., Mifflin (now Juniata) Co. Pennsylvania 1.
4	William Riddle
5	Susanna Riddle was born on March 6, 1774 in Fermanagh Twp., Mifflin (now Juniata) Co., Pennsylvania 1. Some researchers claim that she was married to James Mitchell, but that connection is actually referring to her older sister Elizabeth. She may have been the Susannah wife of John Dillow who in 1850 was living in Salem Township, Champaign County, Ohio.
6	Mary Riddle was born on March 6, 1776 in Fermanagh Twp., Mifflin (now Juniata) Co., Pennsylvania 1. She died on December 5, 1778 in Fermanagh Twp., Mifflin (now Juniata) Co., Pennsylvania 1.
7	John Riddle was born on April 13, 1778 in Fermanagh Twp., Mifflin (now Juniata) Co., Pennsylvania 1. He died on February 21, 1858 in Pleasant Twp., Madison Co., Ohio 3. He is buried in the Alkire-Tanner Cemetery, Pleasant Twp., Madison Co., Ohio. He married first Sarah Creath before 1819. (She was born circa 1790 and died on September 21, 1819 in Pleasant Twp., Madison Co., Ohio. She is buried in the Alkire-Tanner Cemetery, Pleasant Twp., Madison Co., Ohio. They had the following children: Ruanna Riddle (1807-1885) md. Elijah Lafayette Smith William Riddle (c. 1810-???) md. Elizabeth Warner Abner Riddle (c. 1815-???) Mary Ann Riddle (1818-???) md. Gabriel Alkire David Riddle (1818-???) He married second Isabel Hueghey on November 4, 1824 in Madison Co., Ohio 2. (She was born circa 1780 and died on December 11, 1840 in Pleasant Twp., Madison Co., Ohio. She is buried in the Alkire-Tanner Cemetery, Pleasant Twp., Madison Co., Ohio.) They had no children.
8	David Riddle was born on April 20, 1780 in Fermanagh Twp., Mifflin (now Juniata) Co., Pennsylvania 1. He died on August 12, 1846 in Williams Twp., Sangamon Co., Illinois 1. He is buried in the Mechanicsburg Cemetery, Mechanicsburg Twp., Sangamon Co., Illinois. He married first Mary Hamilton circa 1808 in Champaign Co., Ohio 10. (She was born on March 9, 1786 in Maysville, Mason Co., Kentucky 10 and died on July 11, 1821 in Washington Co., Illinois 10.) They had the following children: John Riddle (1809-1878) md. Sarah H. Clark md. 2nd. Martha Archer James Riddle (1811-1849) md. Susan Ann Simpson Margaret Riddle (1812-1898) md. Joseph Dement Abner Riddle (1814-1905) md. 1st. Mary Ann Elkin, widow of Benjamin F. Pickrell md. 2nd. Mary Jane Clark Nancy Riddle (1817-1841) md. Abraham Bird Mary Riddle (1819-???) md. William H. Fowkes He married second Elizabeth Wakefield, widow of Mr. Crocker, in 1822 in Washington Co., Illinois 10. (She was born in Georgia and died in 1854 in Sangamon Co., Illinois 10.) They had the following children: Elizabeth Riddle (1823-???) md. Alexander Mills Sarah A. Riddle (1826-1906) md. Alexander Semple
9	Mary Riddle was born on October 16, 1781 in Fermanagh Twp., Mifflin (now Juniata) Co., Pennsylvania 1. She died on January 16, 1841 in Goshen Twp., Champaign Co., Ohio 1. She is buried in the Maple Grove Cemetery, Champaign Co., Ohio. She married Daniel Rutan on February 15, 1810 in Goshen Twp., Champaign Co., Ohio 4. (He was born on August 24, 1779 in Maryland and died on October 1, 1851 in Goshen Twp., Champaign Co., Ohio. He is buried in the Maple Grove Cemetery, Champaign Co., Ohio.) They had the following children: Delilah Rutan (1810-???) Daniel Milton Rutan (1811-???) David Riddle Rutan (1811-???) William Rutan (1814-???) Lovina Rutan (1815-???) Abner Harvey Rutan (1817-???) Mary Jones Rutan (1818-???) Damantus Rutan (1819-???) Kingsley Rutan (1822-???) Lucinda Rutan (1825-???) Vashti Brittin Rutan (1827-???)
10	Sarah Riddle was born on December 1, 1783 in Fermanagh Twp., Mifflin (now Juniata) Co., Pennsylvania 1. She died on May 10, 1869 in Liberty Twp., Jefferson Co., Iowa 4. She is buried in the Fall Cemetery, Libertyville, Jefferson Co., Iowa. She married John Jackman Smith on April 4, 1827 in Madison Co., Ohio 2. (He was born on February 23, 1780 and died on October 18, 1873 in Liberty Twp., Jefferson Co., Iowa. He is buried in the Fall Cemetery, Libertyville, Jefferson Co., Iowa.) Sarah had no children, but she would have helped to raise John's family of children by his first marriage. In fact, Sarah's step-son Elijah Smith eventually married Sarah's niece Ruanna Riddle. Sarah was 43 years old at the time of her marriage. They moved from Ohio to Jefferson County, Iowa in 1837.
11	Abner Riddle was born on March 2, 1786 in Fermanagh Twp., Mifflin (now Juniata) Co., Pennsylvania 1. He died on September 29, 1846 in Pleasant Twp., Madison Co., Ohio 5. He is buried in the Alkire Farm Cemetery, Pleasant Twp., Madison Co., Ohio. He married Sarah Thomas on August 1, 1816 in Fayette Co., Ohio 2. (She was born on July 31, 1788 in Virginia 5 and died on June 24, 1885 in Pleasant Twp., Madison Co., Ohio 5. She is buried in the Alkire Farm Cemetery, Pleasant Twp., Madison Co., Ohio.) They had the following children: Mary Ann Riddle (1818-???) md. 1st. William Creath Alkire md. 2nd. Harrison Inlow unknown female Riddle (c. 1820-???) Jackson Riddle (c. 1824-???) md. Mary Jane Kious unknown female Riddle (c. 1825-???) Harrison Riddle (c. 1826-???) unknown female Riddle (c. 1828-???) John Riddle (c. 1831-???) Abner Riddle (c. 1834-???) William Laban Riddle (c. 1836-???)
12	Grace Riddle was born on September 9, 1788 in Fermanagh Twp., Mifflin (now Juniata) Co., Pennsylvania 1. She died in September 1817 in Pleasant Twp., Madison Co., Ohio 1. She married Christopher C. Horrell on May 4, 1817 in Madison Co., Ohio 2. (He was born circa 1786 in Pennsylvania 7 and died after 1850 in Pleasant Twp., Madison Co., Ohio.) Grace had no children as she died only four months after her wedding. Christopher married Rebecca Skiles the following year.
13	Jennie Riddle was born on January 29, 1792 in Fermanagh Twp., Mifflin (now Juniata) Co., Pennsylvania 1. She died in April 1798 in Fermanagh Twp., Mifflin (now Juniata) Co., Pennsylvania 1.

William Riddle was born on April 04, 1772 in Mifflin (now Juniata) County, Pennsylvania ¹. He died in 1813 in Salem Twp., Champaign Co., Ohio ¹.

Father: John Riddle
Mother: Mary Duncan

William was raised in Pennsylvania, but as a youth, probably in the early 1790's, he made his way out west and settled in Kentucky. William was married on November 1, 1796 in Bourbon County, Kentucky to a young woman named Jane Davidson. They apparently lived in a part of Bourbon County that became Nicholas County in 1799. Other sources though indicate that they lived at or near Riddle's Station, which was and still is in Bourbon County.

In the year 1807 (or perhaps in 1806), William moved with his family north to the state of Ohio. They moved to Champaign County and settled a farm in Salem Township. In 1811, William was listed in a tax list as an elector in Salem Township in Champaign County. William is said to have died in 1813 in Champaign County, Ohio. (We do know for sure that he died between October 03, 1812 and December 8, 1815.) Afterwards, William's widow Jane ran into a bit of financial or legal trouble and was sued for not handing over the deed to her late husband's land that had been sold in 1812. The whereabouts of Jane Riddle and her children are unknown during the 1810's and 1820's. Jane Riddle may have moved to Kentucky prior to her death or she may have remained in Ohio or gone as far as Indiana. She died sometime between 1823 and 1844.

1	John Riddle was born circa 1797 in Bourbon Co., Kentucky. He died in 1828 in Urbana, Champaign Co., Ohio 1. He married Eleanor "Ellen" Malcomson/McKennison on September 8, 1819 in Vevay, Switzerland Co., Indiana 19. (She was born circa 1800 in Ireland and died after 1829.) They had four children: James Riddle (1819-1889) md. Jane Thompson William Riddle (1823-1850) md. Louisa L. Hall Sarah Riddle (1824-1896) md. Isaac Sanford Darling John Riddle (1826-1865) md. Mary
2	James Riddle was born on February 15, 1801 in Bourbon Co., Kentucky 1. He died on August 3, 1863 in Milford Centre, Union Co., Ohio. He married Mary A. McColloch in 1822 1. (She was born on December 25, 1805 in Ohio 1 and died on February 15, 1873 in Milford Centre, Union Co., Ohio 1.) They had four children: William H. Riddle (1826-1865) David Riddle (1829-1834) Elizabeth Riddle (1831-1862) md. Jesse T. Hoge Edith Riddle (1836-1865) md. Benjamin F. Montgomery Samuel Riddle (1839-1842) James Riddle (1842-???) md. Mary A. Andrews Henry C. Riddle (1846-???) md. Alice Lombard
3	Nancy Riddle was born circa 1803 in Bourbon Co., Kentucky 7. She died on June 12, 1879 in Center Twp., Boone Co., Indiana. She is buried in the Robi(n)son Cemetery, Center Twp., Boone Co., Indiana. She married Isaac Robison on February 14, 1822 in Nicholas Co., Kentucky 6. (He was born sometime circa May 16, 1797 in Kentucky and died on August 16, 1846 in Center Twp., Boone Co., Indiana 7. He is buried in the Robi(n)son Cemetery, Center Twp., Boone Co., Indiana.) They had eleven children: Alexander Robison (1823-1906) md. 1st. Elizabeth Lawrence md. 2nd. Mary Burns md. 3rd. Sarah Spicklemire William Robison (1824-1911) md. Eliza Jane Silvey Mary Jane Robison (1827-1907) md. John M. Shaw Jacob Robison (1828-1915) md. Mary M. Berry Isaac Robison (1831-1915) md. Nancy Burns Isabella Robison (1833-1912) md. Henry T. Long Margaret Robison (1835-1902) md. Francis M. Harrison Priscilla Robison (1837-1926) md. Robert C. Shaw Nancy Ellen Robison (1840-1860) James Robert Robison (1843-1847) Elizabeth Robison (1845-1896) md. James Workman James	Tom Robison at robisont@pacbell.net is a researcher/descendant of this line.
4	William H. Riddle
5	Abner Riddle was born on November 12, 1807 in Champaign Co., Ohio 8. He died on October 11, 1888 in Bellefontaine, Logan Co., Ohio 8. He is buried in the Bellefontaine Cemetery, Bellefontaine, Logan Co., Ohio. He married first Clarissa Gooding on April 17, 1831 in Ohio 1. (She was born circa 1812 in Massachusetts and died in 1833 in Ohio 1.) They had one child: Clarissa Gooding Riddle (1832-1901) md. 1st. ??? Gorton md. 2nd. William H. West Abner married second Rebecca McGruder circa 1834 in Logan Co., Ohio. (She was born circa February 8, 1808 in Virginia 8 and died on June 3, 1883 in Bellefontaine, Logan Co., Ohio 8. She is buried in the Bellefontaine Cemetery, Bellefontaine, Logan Co., Ohio.) They had the following children: Llewellyn Riddle (1834-1856) John Magruder Riddle (1836-1906) md. Margaret J. Wallace Mary Elizabeth Riddle (1838-1857) Cynthia G. Riddle (1840-1863) William B. Riddle (1843-1863) Frances Gwenn Riddle (1845-1867)
6	Polly Riddle was born in 1810 in Champaign Co., Ohio 1. She died in 1814 in Champaign Co., Ohio 1. Some sources refer to Polly's sister Jane (below) as "Polly Jane Riddle." This may be an indication that Polly and Jane were the same person.
7	Jane Riddle was born on March 8, 1812 in Champaign Co., Ohio 4. She died on December 21, 1836 in Darby Twp., Madison Co., Ohio 4. She is buried in the Smith Cemetery, Darby Twp., Madison Co., Ohio. She married Samuel Sherwood on February 11, 1830 in Darby Twp., Madison Co., Ohio 4. (He was born on April 2, 1807 in Plattsburg, Clinton Co., New York 4 and died on December 29, 1859 in Marysville, Union Co., Ohio 4. He is buried in the Oakdale Cemetery, Marysville, Union Co., Ohio.) They had four children: Nathaniel B. Sherwood (1831-???) William Riddle Sherwood (1832-???) Orinda Jane Sherwood (1834-???) Warren R. Sherwood (1836-???)

William H(amilton? Harrison?) Riddle was born on September 01, 1805 near Riddle's Station in Bourbon County, Kentucky ^9,10. He died on April 4, 1891 in Riddle, Douglas Co., Oregon ⁹. He is buried in the Riddle Cemetery, Riddle, Douglas Co., Oregon.

Father: William Riddle
Mother: Jane Davidson

William was only an infant or toddler when he moved with his family from Kentucky to Ohio. William must have had a difficult childhood. His father died when he was only about seven years old. His mother afterwards ran into legal trouble and may have move frequently over the next 10 or 20 years. It is unknown where William spent his childhood, and may have lived in Kentucky, Ohio, or Indiana. Eventually, William had returned to the area of Champaign County, Ohio. It was probably there that William was apprenticed as a blacksmith. This probably happened during the early 1820's. On July 13, 1826 in Champaign County, Ohio, William was married to a young woman named Maxamillia Bouseman. William and Maxamillia were both strict adherents to the Baptist denomination. They settled on a farm near the town of West Liberty, in Logan County, Ohio. While living there they had 4 children: Jane, Artinecia (see next generation), Isabella and William.

In 1836 (or perhaps in 1837), William moved with his wife and 4 children several hundred miles west to a farm in Williams Township, in Sangamon County, Illinois, about 10 miles north of Springfield, Illinois. They were successful farmers in Illinois, and William also ran a blacksmith business on the family farm. In Illinois they had 5 more children: George, Abner, John, Ann and Tobias. William and Maxamillia were eventually motivated by the stories of their neighbors to move to the Oregon Territory. In the spring of 1851, William moved with his entire family over the Oregon Trail and in September of 1851, they arrived in southern Oregon.

William and his family immediately claimed a tract of 320 acres in the Cow Creek Valley in Douglas County, Oregon. William and his family were the first known white settlers of the Cow Creek Valley. They also became friendly with the Cow Creek Indian tribe that lived there. Members of the tribe called William "Lomtu" (which means Old Man). William and his family established a successful ranch on their land claim, which for many years was called "Glenbrook Farms." During the 1880's, William's son John platted a townsite about a mile southeast of their ranch. This small city was named Riddle after the valley's earliest white settlers. William and Maxamillia had one child after moving to Oregon: Clara. William's wife Maxamillia died in 1868, and he continued living on his farm near Riddle, Oregon. He died there in 1891.

They had the following children:

1	Jane Riddle was born on April 14, 1828 in West Liberty, Logan Co., Ohio 1. She died on May 27, 1892 in Buffalo Hart Twp., Sangamon Co., Illinois 4. She is buried in the Oak Ridge Cemetery, Springfield, Sangamon Co., Illinois. She married Thomas Wilson on January 15, 1850 in Clear Lake Twp., Sangamon Co., Illinois 10. (He was born on November 4, 1817 in Lochmaben, Dumfries-shire, Scotland and died on March 18, 1901 in Buffalo Hart Twp., Sangamon Co., Illinois. He is buried in the Oak Ridge Cemetery, Springfield, Sangamon Co., Illinois.) They had the following children: Jane Frood Wilson (1852-1925) md. John Robert Enos Maxamilla Wilson (1852-c.1852) William Riddle Wilson (1855-1901) md. Emma Jane Broughton James Wilson (1857-c.1858) John Thomas Wilson (1859-1926) md. Jennie Lee Taylor Lillias Helen Wilson (1861-1928) md. Robert Franklin Constant Jane was the only Riddle child to remain in Illinois after her family moved to Oregon in 1851.
2	Artinecia Riddle
3	Isabella Riddle was born on February 18, 1834 in West Liberty, Logan Co., Ohio 1,9. She died on June 13, 1892 in Canyonville (now Riddle) Pct., Douglas Co., Oregon 9. She is buried in the Riddle Cemetery, Riddle, Douglas Co., Oregon. She was married to Israel Boyd Nichols on August 15, 1852 in Canyonville (now Riddle) Pct., Douglas Co., Oregon 11. (He was born on September 22, 1824 in Muskingum Co., Ohio and died on May 28, 1893 in Canyonville (now Riddle) Pct., Douglas Co., Oregon. He is buried in the Riddle Cemetery, Riddle, Douglas Co., Oregon.) They had the following children: Artinecia Jane Nichols (1853-1930) md. Owen Lovejoy Willis Rhoda Ella Nichols (1854-1930) md. David Thompson William Lewis Nichols (1856-1917) md. Addie Fullerton Henry Harrison Nichols (1858-1918) md. 1st. Anne Isabel Vinyard md. 2nd. Annabel J. Lady Anna Maria Nichols (1860-1909) md. William Q. Brown Abner Eugene Nichols (1861-1920) md. Viola B. Ryan Maxamillia Nichols (1863-1935) md. Albert Tompkins Clara E. Nichols (1865-1873) Ulysses Sheridan Nichols (1867-1930) md. Hattie G. Israel Boyd Nichols (1870-1952) md. Ada Frances Davlin Benjamin Franklin Nichols (1872-1944) md. Lenora Ellen Yarborough George E. Nichols (1876-1934) md. Blanche A.
4	William H. Riddle was born on March 7, 1837 in West Liberty, Logan Co., Ohio 1,9. He died on July 10, 1857 in Douglas Co., Oregon 9. He is buried in the Riddle Cemetery, Riddle, Douglas Co., Oregon.
5	George Washington Riddle was born on December 14, 1839 in Williams Twp., Sangamon Co., Illinois 12. He died on September 22, 1927 in Roseburg, Douglas Co., Oregon 12. He is buried in the Riddle Cemetery, Riddle, Douglas Co., Oregon. He married first to Anna Minerva Rice on April 20, 1865 in Douglas Co., Oregon 11. (She was born on April 21, 1847 in Putnam Co., Illinois and died on September 16, 1876 in Douglas Co., Oregon. She is buried in the Riddle Cemetery, Riddle, Douglas Co., Oregon.) They had the following children: Della Evelyn Riddle (1866-1948) md. George Kenneth Quine George Rice Riddle (1868-1957) md. Marguerite Casey Clara Helen Riddle (1871-1961) md. Charles W. Hunt Ethel L. Riddle (1874-1959) md. Joseph Alexander Wharton He married second to Helen Gazley, widow of William E. Stewart, on October 20, 1878 in Douglas Co., Oregon 11. (She was born on December 26, 1855 in Douglas Co., Oregon and died on July 10, 1937 in Columbia Co., Oregon. She is buried in the Riddle Cemetery, Riddle, Douglas Co., Oregon.) They had the following children: Audrey S. Riddle (1879-1962) md. William Thomas Langlois Glenn Norbert Riddle (1885-1971) md. Agnes Adu Fate
6	Abner Riddle was born on October 29, 1842 in Williams Twp., Sangamon Co., Illinois 13. He died on October 7, 1926 in Riddle, Douglas Co., Oregon 13. He is buried in the Riddle Cemetery, Riddle, Douglas Co., Oregon. He was married to Alice Cary Rice on December 31, 1865 in Douglas Co., Oregon 11. (She was born on October 24, 1849 in Putnam Co., Illinois and died on April 25, 1903 in Riddle, Douglas Co., Oregon. She is buried in the Riddle Cemetery, Riddle, Douglas Co., Oregon. They had the following children: Ernest Donald Riddle (1866-1946) md. Lora Belle Pummell Maud Agnes Riddle (1868-1963) md. Louis L. Grant Grace Isabella Riddle (1871-1942) md. Otto Victor Logsdon Blanche Eglantine Riddle (1873-1920) Claude Abner Riddle (1877-1965) md. Merle Edith McClarnan Helena Anna Riddle (1884-1969)
7	John Bouseman Riddle was born on November 9, 1844 in Williams Twp., Sangamon Co., Illinois 14. He died on October 11, 1914 in Riddle, Douglas Co., Oregon 14. He is buried in the Riddle Cemetery, Riddle, Douglas Co., Oregon. He was married first to Jennie A. Feathers on April 19, 1864 in Douglas Co., Oregon 11. (She was born in 1846 in Wisconsin and died on November 13, 1865 in the South Umpqua River, Douglas Co., Oregon.) They had one child: infant male Riddle (1865-1865) Jennie and their infant son drowned while fording the south fork of the Umpqua River. He married second to Mary Francis Catching on December 2, 1867 in Douglas Co., Oregon 11. (She was born on April 6, 1852 in Cow Creek Valley, Douglas Co., Oregon and died on October 23, 1930 in Riddle, Douglas Co., Oregon. She is buried in the Riddle Cemetery, Riddle, Douglas Co., Oregon.) They had the following children: Jennie Belle Riddle (1869-1928) md. David W. Crosby Ira Bouseman Riddle (1871-1955) md. Elizabeth Simmons Maxamillia M. Riddle (1873-1953) md. Charles F. Stauffer Edward Warren Riddle (1875-1948) md. Lelah A. Poole Minnie Margaret Riddle (1877-1948) md. George T. Frater Laura Riddle (1879-1883) Vigle Riddle (1881-1883)
8	Ann Maria Riddle was born on April 19, 1847 in Williams Twp., Sangamon Co., Illinois 15. She died on March 20, 1924 in Central Point, Jackson Co., Oregon 15. She is buried in the Jacksonville Cemetery, Jacksonville, Jackson Co., Oregon. She was married to Robert Vinton Beall on April 19, 1864 in Douglas Co., Oregon 11. (He was born on June 15, 1831 in Montgomery Co., Maryland and died on July 17, 1915 in Manzanita Pct. (now Central Point), Jackson Co., Oregon. He is buried in the Jacksonville Cemetery, Jacksonville, Jackson Co., Oregon.) They had the following children: Mary E. Beall (1866-1946) md. Charles Strang Robert Vinton Beall (1878-1961) Ann usually went by the name "Mollie," probably to differentiate her from her cousin Ann Hall, who lived with her parents for many years. Eventually, Ann Hall was married to Thomas Beall (brother of Robert Beall) and they lived near eachother in Jackson County, Oregon. Mollie and her husband settled in Jackson County, Oregon shortly after their marriage in 1864. Their house was built soon after that and is still standing to this day along Beall Lane. There is a large black walnut tree still standing next to the house that was apparently planted for one of Mollie's birthdays in the 1860's.
9	Tobias Stilley Riddle was born on August 30, 1849 in Williams Twp., Sangamon Co., Illinois 1. He died on February 21, 1933 in Riddle, Douglas Co., Oregon 9. He is buried in the Riddle Cemetery, Riddle, Douglas Co., Oregon. He was married first to Sarah L. Smyth on February 2, 1868 in Douglas Co., Oregon 11. (She was born on August 15, 1850 in Missouri and died on October 25, 1890 in Salem, Marion Co., Oregon. She is buried in the Riddle Cemetery, Riddle, Douglas Co., Oregon.) They had the following children: Carrie Lucinda Riddle (1869-1944) md. Samuel M. Parsley Walter Scot Riddle (1872-1950) Frederick Riddle (1874-1957) Eva Riddle (1876-1964) md. John L. Arzner Benjamin A. Riddle (1880-1915) Prestley Riddle (1883-1949) md. Mary K. Nichols Dewey Stilley Riddle (1886-1975) md. 1st. Mollie E. Brundage md. 2nd. Elsie Mae Krajicek Helen Riddle (1887-1972) md. Harry Leandes Johnson He married second to Almarine Chapman, widow of John Duncan and Napoleon Roberts, on November 8, 1893 in Douglas Co., Oregon 11. (She was born on February 24, 1852 in Johnson Co., Iowa and died on October 29, 1927 in Cody, Park Co., Wyoming. She was buried in the Wimberly Cemetery, near Glide, Douglas Co., Oregon.) They had no children. Stilley was successful in the stock business, starting from the age of 16 when he moved out his his parental home to make a life for himself. He and his wife first lived in the vicinity of Canyonville, Oregon. In 1872, Stilley moved with his family to Grant (now Harney) County, Oregon. They remained there until sometime between 1882 and 1884, when they returned to the Canyonville, Oregon area. Stilley and his family were still living in this area in 1900. Sometime between 1900 and 1906, they moved out east to live near Hardin in Yellowstone (now Big Horn) County, Montana. They remained there until sometime between 1917-1919, when they settled near Cody in Park County, Wyoming. Sometime after the death of his wife in 1927, Stilley returned to Oregon, where he lived in Riddle with his oldest daughter Carrie.
10	Clara Alice Riddle was born on April 8, 1853 in Canyonville (now Riddle) Pct., Douglas Co., Oregon 9. She died on October 10, 1855 in Canyonville (now Riddle) Pct., Douglas Co., Oregon 9. She is buried in the Riddle Cemetery, Riddle, Douglas Co., Oregon.

4th Generation: Artinecia Riddle was born on October 11, 1830 in West Liberty, Logan County, Ohio 1,10,16,17. She died on January 10, 1917 in Medford, Jackson Co., Oregon 16,17. She was buried in the Jacksonville Cemetery, Jacksonville, Jackson Co., Oregon. Father: William H. Riddle Mother: Maxamillia Bouseman Artinecia was definitely an odd name that apparently came from her mother's side of the family. The spelling of this name in surviving written records varies widely. In fact, descendants do not know exactly how the name was pronounced. It is no wonder why Artinecia usually went by Artie. Artie spent the first part of her life at West Liberty, Ohio. In 1836, when she was nearly 6 years old, the family moved out west to Sangamon County, Illinois. Here, Artie spent the remainder of her childhood and adolescence. Her family were successful corn farmers and were also faithful adherents to the Baptist denomination. In 1849, when she was 18 years old, Artie married a local man named James Chapman. They lived together in the nearby city of Springfield, Illinois and had one child named John. In 1851, her parents decided to move to Oregon and Artie and her husband made the decision to go with them. Sadly, her husband James died shortly before the wagon train was scheduled to leave. Despite the sudden death, Artie and her infant son left Illinois with her family in a covered wagon over the Oregon Trail. At one point during the trek, Artie was called upon to remove a bullet from the wound of a man who had been shot. The train arrived in southern Oregon in September of 1851. Artie settled with her parents on their land claim in the Cow Creek Valley in Douglas County, Oregon. In 1852, a young widower named William Merriman arrived in the area. He was also from Sangamon County, Illinois and probably knew Artie from her youth. He courted her for several months until they were eventually married in February 1853. After the marriage, William and Artinecia settled a land claim of 320 acres in the Cow Creek Valley near her parents. On this farm, Artie had 2 children: Lucinda and George. It was while living in Douglas County that the Rogue River Indian War took place and Artie served as Interpreter between Indians and whites in the area. She and her husband did not remain in Douglas County long and in 1857, sold their land claim and moved to Jackson County, Oregon, where they purchased a 120-acre ranch a few miles northeast of Jacksonville, Oregon (it is now mostly within the city limits of Medford, Oregon). William and Artinecia were influential citizens. They ran a successful ranch and also a blacksmith shop out of their home. They identified with the Republican party in politics and were faithful Baptists. Artinecia had 13 more children while living in Jackson County: Laura, Marie, Ann, Isaac, Charles, Mary, Walter, Isabel, Prudence, Effie, Marjorie, William and Winnifred. In total, Artie and her husband raised 13 children to adulthood. In 1877, Artie's husband died after a short illness and she continued to run the family ranch (they raised stock - pigs, chickens, cows). In the mid to late 1890's, Artie left the ranch with her son Isaac and moved herself into a house at an unknown location in the city of Medford, Oregon. In about 1908, old age probably compelled her to move in with her daughter Marie Bennett, who also lived in a house in Medford. Artie spent her last days at her daughters house on Riverside Avenue in Medford, where she died on January 10, 1917, at the age of 87. Artinecia married first to James B. Chapman on February 22, 1849 in Springfield, Sangamon Co., Illinois 1. He was born circa 1827 in Kentucky 7. He died about March 1851 in Sangamon Co., Illinois.

1

John William Chapman was born on June 15, 1850 in Springfield, Sangamon Co., Illinois 18. He died on December 18, 1933 in Red Lodge, Carbon Co., Montana 18. He married Alphia Chapman on April 20, 1881 in Douglas Co., Oregon 18. (She was born in September 1861 in Oregon 7 and died in 1950 in Red Lodge, Carbon Co., Montana.) They had no children.

For information on their children, see his page.

Sources:

1. Ridlon, G.T. History of the Ancient Ryedales. Manchester, NH, 1884.
2. International Genealogical Index
3. Online cemetery index, Alkire-Tanner Cemetery, Madison Co., OH
4. Online gedcom family files
5. Online cemetery index, Alkire Farm Cemetery, Madison Co., OH
6. Kentucky Marriages to 1850, Ancestry.com
7. Assorted US Federal Census records
8. Online cemetery index, Bellefontaine Cemetery, Logan Co., OH
9. Tombstone Inscriptions, Riddle Cemetery, Riddle, OR
10. Powers, John C. Early Settlers of Sangamon Co., Illinois. Edwin Wilson & Co: IL, 1876.
11. Marriage records, Douglas Co., OR
12. Death certificate of George W. Riddle, 1927, Douglas Co., OR
13. Death certificate of Abner Riddle, 1926, Douglas Co., OR
14. Death certificate of John B. Riddle, 1914, Douglas Co., OR
15. Death certificate of Ann M. Beall, 1924, Jackson Co., OR
16. Death certificate of Artinecia Merriman, 1917, Jackson Co., OR
17. Obituary of Artinecia Merriman, Medford Mail Tribune, January 12, 1917
18. Obituary of John W. Chapman, The Picket-Journal, December 21, 1933
19. Indiana Marriage Collection, 1800-1941. Ancestry.com

For a page of early photos of the Riddle family of Douglas County, Oregon, click here.

Landmarks and places in Oregon, Montana and Wyoming named after our branch of the Riddle family:

• Riddle, Douglas County, Oregon - (town platted in the 1880's by John B. Riddle)
• Riddle Brothers Ranch, Harney County, Oregon - (very large ranch owned and operated by Ben, Walt and Fred Riddle, sons of Tobias S. Riddle)
• Riddle Mountain, Harney County, Oregon
• Riddle Creek, Harney County, Oregon
• Riddle Reservoir, Harney County, Oregon
• Riddle Ranch, Park County, Wyoming

Books of Interest:

Ridlon, G.T.,History of the Ancient Ryedales, Manchester, NH, 1884.

Links:

Clan Riddell - information and history of the Riddell (Riddle) Clan of Scotland