232 RIDDELLS of bedfoRD, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NO. 1.
Sarah-Jane Riddle (1), fourth daughter of John³ (3), was born in
Bedford, N. H., Jan. 7, 1842; died July 13, 1852.
Charles-Carroll Riddle (1), second son of John (3), was born in
Bedford, N. H., March 6, 1840; married Sarah Eaton, and has two
children, of whom hereafter. A farmer.
Hugh Riddle (3), eldest son of Gawn (3), was born in Bedford, N.
H., Aug. 11, 1822; married Mary S. Walker, May 5, 1852, and by her
had issue, of whom hereafter. His wife died Jan. 8, 1871, and he married
secondly, Sept. 4, 1872, Althea E. Wetmore. Early became a civil engi-
neer, and was employed in the location and construction of the Erie Rail-
road of New York. Was also identified with the location and construc-
tion of the Lake Shore and other New York railroads.
In 1853 Mr. Riddle had charge of track-repairs and construction on the
Susquehanna Division of the Erie Railway, comprising a distance of one
hundred and forty miles. His home at this time was at Binghamton,
Broome County, N. Y. In 1854 he was appointed consulting engineer
over the entire road and its branches. In 1855 he removed to Port Jer-
vis, having been appointed superintendent of the Delaware Division, va-
cating, of course, the offices before mentioned. His labor while superin-
tending this division was often unremitting and arduous. He was not
absent during any emergency, day or night.
Mr. Riddle commenced on the railway as a chain carrier, at one dollar
a day, and faithfully performed whatever duty was assigned him in the
various grades of promotion, till he became general superintendent; and
has attributed his success more to his perseverance under discouraging
circumstances when a civil engineer, even in the wilderness, during the
construction of the road, than to any talents he might possess.
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Some incidents in the life of Mr. Riddle illustrate the character of the
man. Soon after he established himself at Port Jervis, N. Y., he was re-
turning to his home at a late hour of the evening, and while ascending a
hill between the Erie depot and the upper village, where he lived, he
heard approaching footsteps, and in a few moments a man came near and
tendered him a small parcel. Mr. Riddle then discovered that it was the
night-watchman of the highway-crossing near his office, and demanded
of him what the package contained. The man answered, "Some money
for your little boy." With a frown, and indignation of tone, Mr. Riddle
replied, "Keep your money; when my child needs it I can supply him. If
you ever approach me again in this way, I will discharge you the next
moment." Thus foiled in his attempt to curry favors with the new super-
intendent, the man gave, as an excuse for his conduct, the statement that
the former official in that capacity received presents. It was afterwards
found out that this man wanted to build a shanty on the company's
grounds. No person who may have presumed to offer a reward as an
inducement for him to grant a favor ever succeeded with Hugh Riddle ;
and no person who had spent an hour with him in business intercourse
would dare to offer him a bribe. His natural independence, supplemented
by personal training during his early official experience, had prepared him
"no" when occasion required it.
to say
He never allowed any employé on the road to know that his services
were considered indispensable. Notwithstanding his high appreciation of
the abilities of some of his engineers and conductors, as adapted to pecul-
iarly responsible positions, if they took umbrage and resigned, though
Mr. Riddle was unwilling to part with them, he would never remonstrate,
