[p. 750] general farmer and dairyman, who operates a farm of eighty-six acres for his father, in Little Beaver Township, about ten miles southwest of New Castle, was born March 1, 1875, in Butler County, Pennsylvania, and is a son of Overington I. and Anna (Campbell) Riddle.
The great-grandfather of Mr. Riddle was an early settler in Allegheny County and once owned a part of the land on which Pittsburg now stands. His son, Samuel Lock Riddle, was born at Pittsburg, June 15, 1814, and lived in Allegheny County until 1854, when he moved to Butler County. There he became a man of large estate, his investment in land proving a fortunate one on account of the discovery of oil on it. He died in 1895, at Oakmont, aged eighty-two years, and was survived three years by his widow. He married Mary Ann Shroder, in 1835, and they had seven children, of whom Overington I. was the youngest.
Overington T. Riddle was born in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, September 15, 1848, and accompanied his parents to Butler County, in 1854. He continued to live there until he came to Lawrence County, engaging in farming and teaming in the oil fields. He married Anna Campbell, who was a daughter of Andrew Campbell, one of the prominent men of Mercer County. About 1878, Mr. and Mrs. Riddle moved to North Beaver Township, Lawrence County, taking possession of land given them by his father, to which Mr. Riddle subsequently added until he now owns 500 acres. He is a prominent citizen of Lawrence County, is president and manager of the Enon Valley Telephone Company and is president of the Cralo Land Company of Pittsburg and in addition owns stock in many other concerns. His children are as follows: Harry L.; John Nelson; Emma, who is the wife of Charles Bowers; Samuel A.; Margaret; Minnie, who is the wife of John Duncan; and Ode.
John Nelson Riddle was brought to the present farm in his childhood and has resided here ever since. He obtained his education in the township schools and ever since reaching man's estate has devoted himself to agricultural pursuits, his present property being one of his father's numerous farms. On November 29, 1899, Mr. Riddle was married to Callie Duncan, who is a daughter of George and Serelda (Dillon) Duncan, and they have two children: Ruth and Helen. In politics he is a Republican and on the ticket of that party has frequently been elected to township offices and has served one year as tax collector and two years as constable. He is one of the township's representative citizens.
20th Century History of New Castle and Lawrence County Pennsylvania and Representative Citizens Hon. Aaron L. Hazen Richmond-Arnold Publishing Company, Chicago, Ill., 1908
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