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.
1st Generation:
John Riddle was born circa 1745 in Pennsylvania 1. He died before August 18, 1813 in Fermanagh Twp., Mifflin (now Juniata) Co., Pennsylvania.
John married Mary Duncan* on April 5, 1768 in Pennsylvania 1. She was born circa 1750 in Pennsylvania. She probably died between 1800 and 1810 in Fermanagh Twp., Mifflin (now Juniata) Co., Pennsylvania.The names of John's parents or any details of his early life are unknown. In 1768, he married Mary and they had 13 children. Eventually, John and his family settled in Fermanagh Township, in the part of Cumberland County that became Mifflin County and is now a part of Juniata County. The inference is that John had always lived there, and that all of his children were born there. However I know of no evidence before 1778 that he was located there. It is entirely possible that they could have lived elsewhere, especially if his wife really was from Lancaster County (see below). There were multiple other Riddle families that lived in Fermanagh Township that he could have been related to, including: William, James, another John, and "Widow" Riddle.
According to one source, one of their daughters [Margaret] was "Scotch, Irish, Welsh and Dutch." Another source suggests that John was "descended from a Scotch family, though his wife was of distinct Welsh extraction" 44.
John wrote his will on September 30, 1812. He did not name a wife and described his children as Sarah, Grasey, William, John, David, Abner, Margaret, Elizabeth, Susan and Mary. Although he did not provide any of his children's last names or locations, the inference is that Sarah and Grace were unmarried and living at home, while the other daughters were already married. John appointed his daughter Sarah and William Cunningham as joint executors of his will. He died before August 18, 1813, when his will was proven in court.
Mother: Unknown
They had the following children:* Mary's maiden name is unknown. Some researchers think that she was the daughter of John Duncan of Londonderry Twp., Lancaster Co., Pennsylvania. When his estate was divided between his children in 1787, one of them was listed as "Mary, wife of John Riddle". Based on the known ages of John's other children, his daughter Mary Duncan Riddle was about the same age as "our" Mary Riddle. The inference is that they were the same people, but no other known source proves a connection.
Some family histories indicate that John Riddle died during the 1790s and his widow Mary moved to Ohio with many of their children, and remarried to a Rev. Seth Noble and then a Mr. Magill, and died in 1807. However based on the evidence, that is not possible (except under the very unlikely event that they had divorced/separated and she moved out west to Ohio). It is most likely that someone was mistaken and confusing her with a different Mary Riddle. Information from Noble family descendants suggest that the Mary Riddle who married Seth Noble was from Canada, thus making the theory even less likely.
Contemporary records suggest that John Riddle's wife Mary probably died between 1800 and 1810.
1 Elizabeth Riddle was born on January 12, 1769 in Fermanagh Twp., Cumberland (later Mifflin and now Juniata) Co., Pennsylvania 1. She died on March 28, 1862 35 in Concord Twp., Champaign Co., Ohio. She is buried in the Concord Cemetery, Concord Twp., Champaign Co., Ohio. She married James Mitchell on February 27, 1806 2,37 or January 27, 1807 36 in Champaign Co., Ohio. (He was born in Pennsylvania and died between 1840-1850 in Concord Twp., Champaign Co., Ohio.)They had the following children:
unknown female Mitchell (c. 1809-???) - probably died young Julia Ann Mitchell (1811-1900)
md. James Edward RussellElizabeth was alive when her father wrote his will in 1812, but it did not indicate her place of residence or her husband's name.
It is very likely that she was the Elizabeth Riddle who married James Mitchell in 1806 in Champaign County, Ohio. The History of the Ancient Ryedales indicates that her sister Susanna married James Mitchell, yet I think that was a mistake and it was actually Elizabeth who married him (see more below under Susanna). Interestingly enough, there were two James and Elizabeth Mitchell couples in Champaign County, Ohio. Elizabeth Riddle was likely the older of the two (the younger couple probably being her stepson and his wife Elizabeth McDonald Mitchell). Elizabeth Mitchell's connection to this Riddle family is confirmed by one history which specifically indicated that "Abner Riddle [1807-1888] was a nephew of Mrs. Elizabeth Mitchell" 45 which was included as part of a biography of Aaron Funk, who married a daughter of Julia Mitchell Russell (Elizabeth's daughter). Multiple other records also specifically describe Abner Riddle as the nephew of Elizabeth Mitchell.
Elizabeth was 37 when she was married. That was rather old to be married, yet her sister Sarah was unmarried until 43 and one other sister (Mary) moved out west to Ohio when single and married at 28. This might suggest that the women in the Riddle family were rather independent by contemporary standards. Elizabeth was probably the 26-45 year old woman enumerated in her father's household in 1800. Perhaps she came to Champaign County, Ohio between 1800 and 1806 with her siblings David and Mary, where they were joined by William who had just moved there from Kentucky.
2 Margaret Riddle was born on January 12, 1769 in Fermanagh Twp., Cumberland (later Mifflin and 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. 1796-1829)
md. Margaret AlkireMary "Polly" Ogden (1798-1835)
md. James Ravenscroft DawsonJonathan Ogden (1801-1876)
md. Audria Ann RutanBenjamin Ogden (1803-1873)
md. Sarah StretchDeborah Ogden (c. 1805-1875)
md. 1st Hiram Clay Tipton
md. 2nd Henry StumppfJohn Ogden (1807-1880)
md. 1st Hester Stretch
md. 2nd Mary Frances AbbottSamuel Ogden (1809-1892)
md. Nancy Van DolahSusannah "Susan" Ogden (1809-1844)
md. William OrendorffThere is no proof that Margaret Riddle who married Albert Ogden was the same Margaret Riddle (born 1769), daughter of John and Mary of Mifflin County, Pennsylvania. As far as I know, I am the only researcher to propose this connection. Ogden family histories usually provide Margaret Ogden's birthdate as "January 22, 1764", which seems to be derived from her tombstone. Today her tombstone is partially buried and information that would prove/disprove that is not available. But Jan. 22, 1764 and Jan. 12, 1769 are similar enough that a simple error on tombstone (or transcription of it) could account for the discrepancy. The only other known source, the 1850 census, points to a birth year of about 1766.
The connection is likely because of multiple bits of circumstantial evidence. First, many of the names of Margaret Ogden's children are also repeated in the Riddle family (in particular Abner and Susannah, but alos John and Mary). Also, Margaret Riddle Ogden settled in Pleasant Township in Madison County, Ohio, in the same township as several of the children of John and Mary Riddle. In fact, in 1820, her family was enumerated next to John Riddle and Christopher Horrall (who had married Grace Riddle). In 1824, her son Jonathan married Audria Rutan, the stepdaughter of Mary Riddle Rutan (see below). Then in 1829, when her son Abner Ogden died, an Abner Riddle was one of the people that purchased items from his estate (most likely her youngest brother, see below). In addition, Margaret had one known set of twins, which appears to have been common in the Riddle family (she herself was a twin, and her siblings Abner, Mary, and John all had twins; at least two of her children also had twins).
Albert and Margaret Riddle were married in about 1795 at an unknown location (but probably back east in New York or Pennsylvania). By 1798, they were living somewhere in Ohio. In 1801, they were living in Ross County, Ohio (in what is now Pickaway County). In about 1803, they then moved to Madison County, Ohio; where they remained for about 30 years. Then in 1833, they moved to McLean County, Illinois, where they remained.
3 Agnes Riddle was born on July 25, 1770 in Fermanagh Twp., Cumberland (later Mifflin and now Juniata) Co., Pennsylvania 1. She died on April 13, 1776 in Fermanagh Twp., Cumberland (later Mifflin and now Juniata) Co., Pennsylvania 1. 4 William Riddle 5 Susanna Riddle was born on March 6, 1774 in Fermanagh Twp., Cumberland (later Mifflin and now Juniata) Co., Pennsylvania 1. The History of the Ancient Ryedales indicates that she was married to James Mitchell. Yet because her older sister Elizabeth married a James Mitchell, it is possible that the marriage in the book was wrong. There was a "Susanna Ruddell" who married a James Mitchell on November 10, 1801, in Bourbon County, Kentucky. That is very close to where Susanna's brother William was then living in Nicholas County, Kentucky. Yet it is more likely that that person was actually a member of an unrelated Ruddell family (namesake of Ruddell's Station/Fort/Mill). If this Susanna Riddle was married to James Mitchell, then she was probably the Susannah Mitchell who settled in Ripley County, Indiana and died there in 1855.
All we know for sure is that Susanna was alive when her father wrote his will in 1812. (Her name was listed as "Susan".) The inference is that she was already married at the time, but there were no details about her husband's name or place of residence. She had likely married and moved out of her parents' home sometime between 1790 and 1800.
6 Mary Riddle was born on March 6, 1776 in Fermanagh Twp., Cumberland (later Mifflin and now Juniata) Co., Pennsylvania 1. She died on December 5, 1778 in Fermanagh Twp., Cumberland (later Mifflin and now Juniata) Co., Pennsylvania 1. 7 John Riddle was born on April 13, 1778 in Fermanagh Twp., Cumberland (later Mifflin and 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 in about 1806, probably in Ohio. (She was born circa 1790 and died on September 21, 1819 3 in Pleasant Twp., Madison Co., Ohio. She is buried in the Alkire-Tanner Cemetery, Pleasant Twp., Madison Co., Ohio.They had the following children:He married second Isabel Hueghey on November 4, 1824 in Madison Co., Ohio 43. (She was born circa 1780 and died on December 11, 1840 3 in Pleasant Twp., Madison Co., Ohio. She is buried in the Alkire-Tanner Cemetery, Pleasant Twp., Madison Co., Ohio.)
Ruanna "Anna" Riddle (1807-1885)
md. Elijah Lafayette SmithWilliam Riddle (1810-1882)
md. Elizabeth WarnerAbner Riddle (c. 1815-1882)
md. Rachel FarrenMary Ann Riddle (1818-1894)
md. Gabriel AlkireDavid Riddle (1818-1893) They had no children.Sometime between 1800 and 1806, John moved out west to Ohio. He apparently first lived in Staunton Township in Miami County, before settling in Madison County in about 1815. Margaret Ogden (probably his older sister) was already living there, and several other siblings soon joined them there: Sarah, Abner and Grace. John served in the War of 1812 as a teamster.
8 David Riddle was born on April 20, 1780 1,10 or April 23, 1780 46 in Fermanagh Twp., Cumberland (later Mifflin and now Juniata) Co., Pennsylvania. He died on August 12, 1846 in Williams Twp., Sangamon Co., Illinois 1,10,46 . He is buried in the Mechanicsburg Cemetery, Mechanicsburg Twp., Sangamon Co., Illinois. He married first Mary Hamilton on February 13, 1808 in Champaign Co., Ohio 39. (She was born on March 9, 1786 in Maysville, Mason Co., Kentucky 10 and died on July 11, 1821 in Washington (now Clinton) Co., Illinois 10.)They had the following children:He married second Elizabeth Wakefield, widow of Mr. Crocker, in 1822 in Washington (now Clinton) Co., Illinois 10. (She was born in Georgia and died in 1854 in Sangamon Co., Illinois 10.)
John Riddle (1809-1878)
md. Sarah H. Clark
md. 2nd. Martha ArcherJames Riddle (1811-1849)
md. Susan Ann SimpsonMargaret Riddle (1812-1898)
md. Joseph DementAbner Riddle (1814-1905)
md. 1st. Mary Ann Elkin, widow of Benjamin F. Pickrell
md. 2nd. Mary Jane ClarkNancy Riddle (1817-1841)
md. Abraham BirdMary Riddle (1819-1890)
md. William Henry FowkesThey had the following children:
Elizabeth Riddle (1823-1889)
md. Alexander MillsSarah A. Riddle (1826-1906)
md. Alexander SempleSometime between about 1800 and 1806, David moved west to Champaign County, Ohio. He probably came with siblings (including Elizabeth and Mary) and was joined by his brother William who moved there from Kentucky. In 1818 or 1819, David's family moved west to Washington Co., Illinois. There, they were in the part of the county that later became Clinton County. In 1822, they moved to Sangamon County, Illinois; where they settled in Williams Township and remained.
9 Mary Riddle was born on October 16, 1781 in Fermanagh Twp., Cumberland (later Mifflin and 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 Champaign Co., Ohio 42. (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 (1810-1851)
md. Ira FreemanDaniel Milton Rutan (1811-1842)
md. Hannah R. ColwellDavid Riddle Rutan (1811-1871)
md. Magdalena BaldingerWilliam Rutan (1814-1878
md. Mary Ann Magruder)Lovina Rutan (1815-1843)
md. Curtis M. BayAbner Harvey Rutan (1817-1865)
md. Emily GrayMary Jones Rutan (1818-1901)
md. Jacob HazelDamantus Rutan (1819-1820s) Kingsley Rutan (1822-1845) Lucinda Jane Rutan (1825-1911)
md. Peter Edgar ColwellVashti Brittin Rutan (1827-1910)
md. Ransom PatrickMary moved west to Champaign County, Ohio sometime between 1800 and 1810. She likely came with her siblings, probably her brother David and sister Elizabeth. She married Daniel Rutan, a widower. Mary and her husband settled in Goshen Township, Champaign County, Ohio, where they remained until their deaths.
10 Sarah Riddle was born on December 1, 1783 in Fermanagh Twp., Cumberland (later Mifflin and 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 21. (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.)They had no children.Sarah was probably living at home in Pennsylvania in 1812, when her father wrote his will and named her as one of the executors. Sometime between 1813 and 1815, Sarah and her sister Grace probably moved out west where other relatives were living. They moved to Madison County, Ohio, where their siblings Margaret, John and Abner were already located.
Before her marriage at the age of 43, Sarah lived with the family of her brother John Riddle. Although she had no children, she helped to raise her husband's children by his first marriage. Sarah's stepson Elijah Smith eventually married her niece Ruanna Riddle. They moved from Ohio to Jefferson County, Iowa in 1837; where they remained.
11 Abner Riddle was born on March 2, 1786 in Fermanagh Twp., Cumberland (later Mifflin and 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 40. (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 (1818-1860)
md. 1st. William Creath Alkire
md. 2nd. Harrison InlowMariah Riddle (c. 1820-1900)
md. John Scott RobinsonJackson Riddle (c. 1824-1876)
md. Mary Jane KiousLethy Riddle (1829-1860)
md. Robert CorneyHarrison Riddle (1829-1900) John Riddle (1831-1915) Abner A. Riddle (1833-1901) William Laban Riddle (1836-1918) Abner was living at home in Mifflin County, Pennsylvania in 1810. Sometime between 1810 and 1816, he moved west to Ohio where many of his siblings were living. He settled in Pleasant Township in Madison County, Ohio, where he remained until his death.
12 Grace Riddle was born on September 9, 1788 in Fermanagh Twp., Cumberland (later Mifflin and 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, 1815 in Madison Co., Ohio 34. (He was born circa 1786 in Pennsylvania 7 and died after 1850 in Pleasant Twp., Madison Co., Ohio.)They had no children.Grace probably moved to Madison County, Ohio with her sister Sarah sometime between 1813 and 1815. Her husband remarried a year after her death and named his first child after her.
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.
2nd Generation:
William Riddle was born on April 04, 1772 in Fermanagh Twp., Cumberland (later Mifflin and now Juniata) County, Pennsylvania 1. He died sometime between October 1812 and January 1813 in Salem Twp., Champaign Co., Ohio.
William married Jane "Jency" Davidson on November 1, 1796 in Bourbon Co., Kentucky 6. She was born circa 1779 in Cumberland (now Perry) Co., Pennsylvania. She died sometime between May 1814 and September 1815, probably in Champaign Co., Ohio.Father: John Riddle William was raised in Pennsylvania. Sometime between 1790 and 1796, he made his way out west and settled in Kentucky. He was married on November 1, 1796 in Bourbon County, Kentucky to Jane Davidson. William lived with his family in the part of Bourbon County that became Nicholas County in 1800. They lived on a farm at the headwaters of Brushy Fork [Creek], which is today just outside the city of Carlisle, Kentucky. Some histories also indicate that they lived at Riddle's [Ruddell's] Station in neighboring Bourbon County, but that was probably just because of the similarity in the name. There is no evidence that they ever lived there.
Mother: Mary DuncanIn 1806 or 1807, William moved with his family to Ohio. They moved to Champaign County and settled a farm in Salem Township. They lived in the west-central part of the township, near the confluence of Kings Creek and Mad River. They were a few miles north of the city of Urbana, and near the Kings Creek community. In 1808, William sold his property in Kentucky while living in Ohio. In 1811, William was listed in a tax list as an elector in Salem Township in Champaign County. Sources indicate that William died in 1813 1 or in February 1812 44. However, we know for sure that he died sometime between October 03, 1812 (when he sold land) and January 18, 1813 (when his wife and brother-in-law were appointed as administrators of his estate).
Mother: Agnes "Nancy" Robinson
They had the following children:Her name was listed as "Jency" in an 1808 deed, which must have been a diminutive form of Jane that she used.
A few sources indicate that Jane was a native of Virginia, yet there is no evidence that her family ever lived there. Another source suggests she was a native of Scotland. However, she was most likely born in Pennsylvania. In her youth, during the 1780s, she moved out west to Kentucky with her family.
One source suggests that Jane died one year after her husband (in about 1814), leaving their children as orphans 44. On May 28, 1814, Jane was appointed guardian of her son John. This is the last known reference to her being alive. She was then described as deceased on September 12, 1815 when her father wrote his will.
It is possible that she was the Jane Riddle who married John Philips on June 7, 1814 in Champaign County, Ohio. If so, then she died soon after the marriage and probably had no children by that husband.
In 1812, William Riddle sold 100 acres of land in Champaign County, Ohio. In 1818, Jane and her children were sued for not handing over the deed to the land - and the court records indicating that their whereabouts were unknown. Then a subsequent document indicated that they were located in 1823, but subsequently failed to plead in 1824.
1 John Riddle was born circa 1797 in Bourbon (now Nicholas) Co., Kentucky. He died before October 23, 1826 in Urbana, Champaign Co., Ohio. 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 ThompsonWilliam Riddle (1823-1850)
md. Louisa L. HallSarah Riddle (1824-1896)
md. Isaac Sanford DarlingJohn Riddle (1826-1865)
md. Mary A. BucklandSometime during the 1810s, John moved to Vevay, Indiana. There, he married and lived briefly with his family. Sometime between 1820 and 1823, he returned to Champaign County, Ohio; where he remained until his death. He was a carpenter. The History of the Ancient Ryedales provides his death in 1828, yet he actually died in 1826.
2 James Riddle was born on February 15, 1801 in Nicholas Co., Kentucky 1. He died on August 3, 1863 in Milford Centre, Union Co., Ohio. He is buried in the Milford Center Cemetery, Milford Center, Union Co., Ohio. He married Mary A. McColloch on February 5, 1824 in Butler Co., Ohio 32 (or 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. She is buried in the Milford Center Cemetery, Milford Center, Union Co., Ohio.)They had four children:
William H. Riddle (1826-1865) David Riddle (1829-1834) Elizabeth Riddle (1831-1862)
md. Jesse T. HogeEdith Riddle (1836-1865)
md. Benjamin F. MontgomerySamuel Riddle (1839-1842) James Riddle (1842-1923)
md. Mary A. AndrewsHenry Clay Riddle (1846-1936)
md. Alice LombardWhen the family was separated during the 1810s, it is not known what happened to James. He was either sent to live with relatives or possibly began an apprenticeship. Sometime by the early 1820s he had moved to Oxford, Ohio; where he opened a business as a saddler. Sometime before 1830, he moved to Union County, Ohio; where he remained. In later life he worked as a grocer.
3 Nancy Riddle was born circa 1803 in Nicholas Co., Kentucky 7. She died on June 12, 1879 33 in Center Twp., Boone Co., Indiana. She is buried in the Robison 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 Robison 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 SpicklemireWilliam Robison (1824-1911)
md. Eliza Jane SilveyMary Jane Robison (1827-1907)
md. John M. ShawJacob Robison (1828-1915)
md. Mary M. BerryIsaac Robison (1831-1915)
md. Nancy BurnsIsabella Robison (1833-1912)
md. Henry T. LongMargaret Robison (1835-1902)
md. Francis M. HarrisonPriscilla Robison (1837-1926)
md. Robert C. ShawNancy Ellen Robison (1840-1860) James Robert Robison (1843-1847) Elizabeth Robison (1845-1896)
md. James Workman JamesNancy was probably named after her maternal grandmother, Agnes Robinson Davidson (Nancy was a dimuntive/pet version of Agnes among Scottish people). When the family was separated during the 1810s, Nancy was probably sent to Nicholas County, Kentucky to live with some of her mother's relatives. She probably lived with the family of her aunt Isabella Davidson Burns in that county. When Nancy was married there in 1822, Isabella's husband William Burns was one of the bondsmen for the marriage.
After their marriage, Nancy and her husband lived in Nicholas County, Kentucky for several years. In 1836, they moved to Decatur County, Indiana, but only remained there one year. In 1837, they moved to Boone County, Indiana, where they remained.
Tom Robison at robisont@pacbell.net is a researcher/descendant of this line. 4 William Harrison Riddle 5 Abner Riddle was born on November 12, 1807 in Salem Twp., 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 1 or on February 29, 1832 29 in Ohio. She is buried in the Mount Tabor Church Cemetery, Mingo, Champaign Co., Ohio.)They had one child:Abner married second Rebecca Magruder on August 18, 1833 in Logan Co., Ohio 38. (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.)
Clarissa Gooding Riddle (1832-1901)
md. 1st. Ira W. Gorton
md. 2nd. William H. WestThey had the following children:
Llewellyn Riddle (1834-1856) John Magruder Riddle (1836-1906)
md. Margaret J. WallaceMary Elizabeth Riddle (1838-1857) Cynthia G. Riddle (1840-1863) William B. Riddle (1843-1863) Frances Gwenn Riddle (1845-1867) When the family was separated during the 1810s, Abner remained in Champaign County, Ohio and was taken in the home of his aunt Elizabeth Riddle Mitchell. In about 1824, Abner moved to Oxford, Ohio; where he began serving as a saddler's apprentice to his brother James. Then in about 1826, Abner moved to Urbana, Ohio, where he worked as a saddler from 1826 to 1830. In 1830, he moved to West Liberty, Ohio, where he first lived with his brother William. In West Liberty, Abner first opened his own business but in 1833, he formed a partnership with his cousin William Rutan. In 1850, Abner moved with his family to Bellefontaine, Ohio, where they remained.
6 Polly Riddle was born in 1810 in Salem Twp., Champaign Co., Ohio 1. She died in 1814 in Salem Twp., Champaign Co., Ohio 1. Some sources refer to her 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 Salem Twp., 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 (1831-1833) William Riddle Sherwood (1832-1903)
md. Olive B. LyonOrinda Jane Sherwood (1834-1906)
md. Walter Booth BeecherWarren R. Sherwood (1836-1838) During the 1810s, when the family was separated, Jane was probably sent to Madison County, Ohio to live with relatives. She probably lived with the family of her uncle John Riddle. However it's also possible that she was sent to Kentucky with her sister Nancy. In 1826, she was described as a resident of Nicholas County, Kentucky.
3rd Generation:
William Harrison* Riddle was born on September 01, 1805 in Nicholas County, Kentucky 9,10. He died on April 4, 1891 in Roseburg, Douglas Co., Oregon 9,31. He is buried in the Riddle Cemetery, Riddle, Douglas Co., Oregon.
William was married to Maxamillia Bouseman on July 13, 1826 in Champaign Co., Ohio 1.Father: William Riddle
Mother: Jane Davidson* Many online family trees incorrectly list his middle name as Hamilton. That was an error that had actually started by me, when I had previously believed Hamilton was his middle name and posted it online (a misguided guess based on the "Hamilton" name which was repeated in the descendants of his uncle David Riddle - the maiden name of his first wife, who he wasn't even married to until after William was born). In reality, in 1888 William himself specifically said in a newspaper article that his middle name was Harrison and that he was named after General William Henry Harrison, a politician from Ohio and later War of 1812 Hero and US President.
William was an infant or toddler when he moved with his family from Kentucky to Ohio. His father died when he was only about seven years old. His mother died soon after. During the 1810s, the children were separated and lived with different relatives. It is not known who William lived with between 1814 and 1825 (when he was between 9 and 20) but the inference is that he remained in Champaign or Logan County, Ohio. It was probably while living there during the early 1820s that William was apprenticed as a blacksmith. In 1825, Robert Latta of Champaign County was appointed legal guardian of William - his relationship to the Riddle family is unknown. On July 13, 1826 in Champaign County, Ohio, William was married to Maxamillia Bouseman. William and Maxamillia were both Baptists. In October 1826, William was described as a resident of Champaign County, Ohio. They lived at an unknown location in Champaign or Logan County, Ohio between 1826 and 1828. Between 1828 and 1832, they lived in the town of West Liberty, in Logan County, Ohio, where they owned several lots. In 1832, they sold their lots in town and moved to a farm just outside of town, in Harrison Township, Champaign County, Ohio, where they remained until 1837.
In 1837 (sometime between April and October of that year), William moved with his family to Illinois (in the example of his uncle David Riddle). They settled on a farm in Williams Township, in Sangamon County, about 10 miles north of Springfield. They were successful farmers in Illinois, and William also worked as a blacksmith. 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 (notably Isaac Constant, whose brother-in-law eventually married their daughter) to move to the Oregon Territory. In the spring of 1851, William left with his family over the Oregon Trail and in September of 1851, they arrived in southern Oregon.
William and his family quickly claimed a tract of 320 acres in the Cow Creek Valley in Douglas County, Oregon. They were the first known white settlers of the Cow Creek Valley. They 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 1880s, 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. In old age, he moved briefly to the nearby city of Roseburg, Oregon, where he died.
They had the following children:
1 Jane Riddle was born on April 14, 1828 in Logan Co., Ohio 1,4,10,30. She died on May 27, 1892 in Buffalo Hart Twp., Sangamon Co., Illinois 4,30. 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 10,28. (He was born on November 4, 1817 4,10,30 in Lochmaben, Dumfries-shire, Scotland and died on March 18, 1901 4,30 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 was the only Riddle child to remain in Illinois after her family moved to Oregon in 1851.
Jane Frood Wilson (1852-1925)
md. John Robert EnosMaxamilla Wilson (1852-c.1852) William Riddle Wilson (1855-1901)
md. Emma Jane BroughtonJames Wilson (1857-c.1858) John Thomas Wilson (1859-1926)
md. Jennie Lee TaylorLillias Helen Wilson (1861-1928)
md. Robert Franklin Constant2 Artinecia Riddle 3 Isabella Riddle was born on February 18, 1834 1,9 (or January 16, 1835 10) in Harrison Township [near West Liberty], Champaign Co., Ohio. 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 WillisRhoda Ella Nichols (1854-1930)
md. David ThompsonWilliam Lewis Nichols (1856-1917)
md. Addie FullertonHenry Harrison Nichols (1858-1918)
md. 1st. Anne Isabel Vinyard
md. 2nd. Annabel J. LadyAnna Maria Nichols (1860-1909)
md. William Quartus BrownAbner Eugene Nichols (1861-1920)
md. Viola Bell RyanMaxamillia Nichols (1863-1935)
md. Albert TompkinsClara E. Nichols (1865-1873) Ulysses Sheridan Nichols (1867-1930)
md. Hattie G. Mayborn, widow of William H. WalkerIsrael Bouseman Nichols (1870-1952)
md. Ada Frances DavlinBenjamin Franklin Nichols (1872-1944)
md. Lenora Ellen YarboroughGeorge Elbert Nichols (1875-1934)
md. 1st Susan Justine Johnsonmd. 2nd Blanche A.4 William Harrison Riddle was born on March 7, 1837 1,9 (or in March 1836 10) in Harrison Township [near West Liberty], Champaign Co., Ohio. He died on July 10, 1857 in Douglas Co., Oregon 9. He is buried in the Riddle Cemetery, Riddle, Douglas Co., Oregon. William was named after his father.
5 George Washington Riddle was born on December 14, 1839 1,12 (or February 22, 1840 10) in Williams Twp., Sangamon Co., Illinois . 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 1,9 in Putnam Co., Illinois and died on September 16, 1876 1,9 in Douglas Co., Oregon. She is buried in the Riddle Cemetery, Riddle, Douglas Co., Oregon.)They had the following children: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 27. She is buried in the Riddle Cemetery, Riddle, Douglas Co., Oregon.)
Della Evelyn Riddle (1866-1948)
md. George Kenneth QuineGeorge Rice Riddle (1868-1957)
md. Marguerite CaseyClara Helen Riddle (1871-1961)
md. Charles W. HuntEthel Lynn Riddle (1874-1959)
md. Joseph Alexander WhartonThey had the following children:
Audrey S. Riddle (1879-1962)
md. William Thomas LangloisGlenn Norbert Riddle (1885-1971)
md. Agnes Adu Fate6 Abner Riddle was born on October 29, 1841 9,20,26 (or October 27, 1842 1 or October 29, 1842 13) in Williams Twp., Sangamon Co., Illinois. He died on October 6 9 or October 7 13, 1926 in Riddle, Douglas Co., Oregon. 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 11,20. (She was born on October 24, 1849 9 in Putnam Co., Illinois and died on April 25, 1903 9 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 PummellMaud Agnes Riddle (1868-1963)
md. Louis L. GrantGrace Isabella Riddle (1871-1942)
md. Otto Victor LogsdonBlanche Eglantine Riddle (1873-1920) Claude Abner Riddle (1877-1965)
md. 1st Mary "Mamie" Ellen Isaacs
md. 2nd Merle Edith McClarnan
md. 3rd Elsie Jeanette Downing, widow of Frank EggerHelena Anna Riddle (1884-1969) 7 John Bouseman Riddle was born on November 9, 1844 in Williams Twp., Sangamon Co., Illinois 1,9,14,26. He died on October 11, 1914 in Riddle, Douglas Co., Oregon 9,14. 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: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 9 and died on October 23, 1930 in Riddle, Douglas Co., Oregon 9. She is buried in the Riddle Cemetery, Riddle, Douglas Co., Oregon.)
infant male Riddle (1865-1865) Jennie and their infant son drowned while fording the south fork of the Umpqua River.
They had the following children:
Jennie Belle Riddle (1869-1928)
md. David W. CrosbyIra Bouseman Riddle (1871-1955)
md. Elizabeth SimmonsMaxamillia M. Riddle (1873-1953)
md. Charles F. StaufferEdward Warren Riddle (1875-1948)
md. Lelah A. PooleMinnie Margaret Riddle (1877-1948)
md. George T. FraterLaura Riddle (1879-1883) Vigle Riddle (1881-1883) 8 Ann Maria Riddle was born on April 19, 1847 15,20,25 (or on April 8, 1847 10 or April 13, 1847 1) in Williams Twp., Sangamon Co., Illinois. She died on March 20, 1924 in Central Point, Jackson Co., Oregon 15,25. 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 20,25,26 and died on July 17, 1915 in Manzanita Pct. (now Central Point), Jackson Co., Oregon 25. He is buried in the Jacksonville Cemetery, Jacksonville, Jackson Co., Oregon.)They had the following children:Ann usually went by the name "Mollie," probably to differentiate her from her cousin Ann Hall, who lived with her family for many years. Eventually, Ann Hall was married to Thomas Beall (brother of Robert Beall) and they lived near eachother in Jackson County, Oregon.
Mary Elizabeth Beall (1866-1946)
md. Charles StrangRobert Vinton Beall (1878-1961) Mollie and her husband settled in Jackson County, Oregon shortly after their marriage in 1864. Their house was built at about that time 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 1860s.
9 Tobias Stilley Riddle was born on August 30, 1849 1,10 (or August 31, 1849 20) in Williams Twp., Sangamon Co., Illinois. 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: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.)
Carrie Lucinda Riddle (1869-1944)
md. Samuel M. ParsleyWalter Scot Riddle (1872-1950) Frederick Riddle (1874-1957) Eva Riddle (1876-1964)
md. John Lucas ArznerBenjamin A. Riddle (1880-1915) Prestley Riddle (1883-1949)
md. Mary K. NicholsDewey Stilley Riddle (1886-1975)
md. 1st. Mollie E. Brundage
md. 2nd. Elsie Mae KrajicekHelen Riddle (1887-1972)
md. Harry Leandes JohnsonThey 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 1,9. She died on October 10, 1855 in Canyonville (now Riddle) Pct., Douglas Co., Oregon 1,9. 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. Artinecia married first to James B. Chapman on February 22, 1849 in Sangamon Co., Illinois 1. He was born circa 1827 in Kentucky 7. He died in 1850 or 1851 in Sangamon Co., Illinois. There is hardly anything known about James Chapman. He and Artinecia probably lived on land about three miles northeast of the city of Springfield, Illinois. He may have been related to an Elvira Chapman, a widow with several children who also lived in the area. |
Artinecia married second William Harrison Merriman on February 10, 1853 in Canyonville Pct. (now Riddle), Douglas Co., Oregon 11.
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 is buried in the Red Lodge Cemetery, Red Lodge, Carbon Co., Montana. 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. She is buried in the Red Lodge Cemetery, Red Lodge, Carbon Co., Montana.)They had no children.
For information on their children, see his page.
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
20. Walling, A.G. History of Southern Oregon: comprising Jackson, Josephine, Douglas, Curry and Coos Counties. Portland, OR, 1884.
21. The Centennial History of Oregon, Volume III, Clark Publishing Co., 1912.
22. Newspaper Article, Medford Mail, Jul. 14, 1893, Pg. 1
23. Obituary of George F. Merriman, Medford Mail Tribune, November 8, 1915
24. Riddle, George W. Early Days in Oregon, 1920.
25. Tombstone Inscriptions, Jacksonville Cemetery, Jacksonville, Oregon.
26. Gaston, Joseph and Himes, George H. The Centennial History of Oregon, 1811-1912, Volume IV. S. J. Clarke Publishing Co., Chicago, 1912.
27. Oregon Death Index, 1903-1998, Ancestry.com
28. Obituary of Mrs. Jane Wilson, c. May 1892, unknown newspaper [Springfield, IL].
29. Tombstone inscriptions, Mount Tabor Church Cemetery, Champaign Co., Oh
30. Tombstone inscriptions, Oak Ridge Cemetery, Springfield, IL
31. Probate case file of William H. Riddle. Douglas Co., Oregon, Vol. 29, File 13
32. Marriage register, Butler Co., Ohio, Vol. 1, Pg. 190
33. Cemetery index, Robison Cemetery, Boone Co., Indiana
34. Marriage register, Madison Co., OH, Vol. A, Pg. 25
35. Online cemetery index, Concord Cemetery, Champaign Co., Ohio
36. Antrim, Joshua. The History of Champaign and Logan Counties. 1872
37. Marriage register, Champaign Co., OH, Vol. A., Pg. 2
38. Marriage register, Logan Co., OH. Vol. A., Pg. 91
39. Marriage register, Champaign Co., OH, Vol. A., Pg. 6
40. Marriage register, Fayette Co., OH, Vol. A, Pg. 29
41. Marriage register, Madison Co., OH, Vol. A., Pg. 111
42. Marriage register, Champaign Co., OH, Vol. A., Pg. 14
43. Marriage register, Madison Co., OH, Vol. A., Pg. 86
44. Biography of Abner Riddle, unknown source, c. 1883
45. A Centennial Biographical History of Champaign County, Ohio. The Lewis Publishing Co., New York and Chicago, 1902.
46. Tombstone inscriptions, Mechanicsburg Cemetery, Mechanicsburg, Sangamon Co., IL
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