Archibald RIDDELL, deceased, was for many
years one of the most enterprising and public-spirited men in
Stories of the new world began to reach his
ears, and the desire came into his heart to come to this favored
land, and here try his fortune in competition with others. With
him the desire for a thing brought about its fulfillment, and
so, in 1844, he crossed the Atlantic, and arriving in
Taking his young bride to the primitive
home prepared for her reception, he set about in earnest what
was to be his life’s work. The partnership between himself and
brother Robert continued until 1849, when the latter was
stricken with the gold fever, and disposing of his interest to
our subject, he went to
In the beginning of this sketch it was stated that Mr. RIDDELL was an enterprising and public-spirited man. This was well illustrated in the erection of the Lacon woolen mill, in which he was the prime mover. He stood by the enterprise and backed it up with his means until his death, owning two hundred and five shares of the stock, which is still held by the family. For some years he was president of the woolen mill company and gave it much time and attention, though never receiving any compensation for his services.
In 1866 Mr. RIDDELL was bereft of his wife,
who had truly been to him a loving helpmeet. To them were born
five children: John, who died at the age of twelve years; George
D., a grocer and hardware dealer of Watseka,
Mr. RIDDELL subsequently married Margaret
SOCKWELL, of
Politically, Mr. RIDDELL was a republican from the organization of the party until within a few years of his death, when he separated from the party, and on one occasion voted the democratic ticket. For years he was an active worker in his party, and his face was a familiar one in all conventions. During the war he was an enthusiastic supporter of all measures for the suppression of the rebellion, and had the utmost faith in the great emancipator, Abraham Lincoln. In religious views he was advanced and was well read in the scriptures, having a wonderfully retentive memory for scriptural quotations. He delighted in discussing Biblical subjects, and his great knowledge of the Word of God enabled him to catch preachers of the gospel in misquotations, and it did him good to corner them. His death occurred August 30, 1892, while in his seventy-first year. He left not only a sorrowing family, but a very large circle of friends throughout Marshall and adjoining counties.
William D. RIDDELL, the son of Archibald
and Janet (DAVIDSON) RIDDELL, was born May 8, 1852, in the house
in which he now lives. Here his entire life has been spent, and
on Christmas day, 1888, he married Miss Ellen STEPHENSON of
Sparland, a native of Woodford county,
In company with his brother Archie, now deceased, William RIDDELL worked the old farm for a time, when he bought thirty acres near by, and on the death of his brother purchased the interest of the other heirs, and now owns all the farm, consisting of three hundred and fifty acres. He devotes his attention to mixed farming and stock raising, and has been a successful farmer. Politically he is a stanch republican.
Extracted March 2011 by Norma Hass from The Biographical Record of Bureau, Marshall and Putnam Counties, Illinois, 1896.
| Bureau | Putnam | |
| Stark |
 |
La Salle |
| Peoria | Woodford |
