296
RIDDELLS OF SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK.
Oscar Riddell (1), a son of William³ (1), was born in New York
State, Dec. 12, 1833; married Oct. 30, 1857, to Corlista E. Adams, and in
1873 had issue five children, of whom hereafter. He was left motherless
when only a year old; was placed under the care of his aunt, Mrs. Mar-
garet Talmage, and carried to Michigan when nine years old, where he
continued to live till his father removed to that State. He followed
stock-raising and farming until within a few years (1873), when he became
station-master on the Lake Shore and Michigan Southern Railroad, where
he now is; residence, New Carlisle, St. Joseph County, Ind.
Permelia Riddell (1), eldest daughter of Williams (1), was born in
New York State, Genesee County, Dec. 24, 1826, and died March 5, 1833.
Amelia Riddell (1), second daughter of Williams (1), was born at
Castile, N. Y., April 21, 1830; died March 3, 1833.
Rev. Mortimer Riddell (1), eldest son of David³ (3), was born in
Madison County, N. Y., May 8, 1827; married Maria Otis, and had issue
two children, of whom hereafter. He commenced business as a book-seller
in Watertown, N. Y., and was successful; but at the age of thirty-one
entered the Theological Seminary at Hamilton, graduated in 1861, and
settled as a preacher. He became a distinguished professional man; and
was considered very able and eloquent as a public speaker, as well as a
ripe scholar. Was settled at New Brunswick, N. J., and subsequently at
Ottawa, Kan., where he called together a large and intelligent congrega-
tion, until death released him from a shepherd's care in 1870.
He
Rev. Rudolph-R. Riddell (1), second son of David (3), was born
in Madison County, N. Y., Feb. 11, 1847; married Annie Palmer, a lady
of his native State. He entered the Union army in 1861 as a drummer-
boy, then only fifteen years old, and after serving a year was promoted to
first sergeant for gallant conduct. He continued to rise in the official
scale until he received a commission as major, for capturing a rebel flag
at Petersburgh, Va.; also received a "Medal of Honor" from Congress.
He led a forlorn hope at the battle of Petersburgh, for which he was pro-
moted to brevet-lieutenant-colonel. He was the youngest commissioned
officer in the Union army, and was wounded four times; once at Fair Oaks,
once at Antietam,' once at Chancellorsville, and once at Gettysburg.
was engaged in thirty-one regular battles, and numerous skirmishes with
the rebels. On returning to his home in 1865 he commenced business as
wholesale and retail produce merchant, but was unsuccessful; entered a
medical college at Bellevue, N. Y., but gave up that study when about to
enter practice. He next entered Madison University at Hamilton, grad-
uated in 1871, and commenced preaching for the Baptist Church at Palm-
er, Mass. He was subsequently settled at South Berwick, Me. He says,
My life was a curiously changeful one till the Lord took me in hand, and
I became a Christian.' His ordination took place Feb. 21, 1872. He
stands high as a public speaker, and promises to become a very distin-
guished professional man. He is now (1884) settled a St. Paul, Minn.,
66
and is a D. D.
99
FIFTH GENERATION.
Edgar Riddell (2), eldest son of Edgar (1), was born at Chester-
town, N. Y.(?), July 2, 1868.
Myran Riddell (1), second son of Edgar (1), was born at Chester-
town, N. Y.(?), Aug. 29, 1869.
