44
THE ANCIENT NORTHMEN, RIDDELL ANCESTRY.
impressed the influence of their characters upon every institution with
which they have been identified, developing and applying everything
that was for the public weal. Descendants of these early families from
Ireland have filled the most prominent professional and civil positions.
They have been in congress,
-four of the Riddells or Riddles have been
congressmen; and on the judges' bench, - four of the Riddle family in
the United States have been judges; they have been college presidents
and professors, lawyers, physicians, and distinguished clergymen. They
have been leading spirits in every public enterprise, stimulating to activity
those around them, and shaping the principles and destinies of men and
parties. Naturally conservative, and somewhat cold and stern in appear-
ance, yet kind of heart and very generous when others were in need of
their assistance.
In personal appearance the Riddells and Riddles have perpetuated the
characteristics of their progenitors in Normandy; generally speaking
they have been of "sandy complexion," with blue or gray eyes, and long,
outstanding brows; foreheads broad and receding; cheek-bones high and
prominent; nose large; mouth and chin wide, and face ruddy. Many of
the first two or three generations were very large-framed, brawny men, and
their strength almost herculean. They generally have broad shoulders,
full chests, and long arms; are compactly built, erect, and graceful of
carriage. In the military capacity they have been conspicuous, and in
the active service cool and brave. True soldierly qualities seem to have
been handed down through all generations in every branch of the family,
from their Norman ancestors to the present time. From the first men-
tion of the family under the distinctive surname, beginning with the war-
fare waged by the Northmen, cadets of this stock have cut a prominent
figure in all the European and American wars; they were knighted in early
medieval times for valorous service in France and Italy, as well as in later
days in England and Scotland; they have received their medals for faith-
fulness in engagements while holding commissions in the British army, and
their names stand upon the rolls at Washington among the most chival-
rous and brave of our American officers.
Having presented a comprehensive and succinct history of the family
from the earliest time down to the present; having traced them in their
movements and settlements in the various countries where they have
been domiciled, and having briefly touched upon the prevailing traits of
character developed by the race from its origin down to its representatives
of the present, I must now invite the reader to an examination of the bio-
graphical and genealogical departments of this book for details and indi-
vidual characters.
