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HAMILTON RUSH RIDDLE, M.D The influence wielded by one man of upright character and noble life is immeasurable and particularly if he has a cultured mind and pleasing manners. It is a matter of no astonishment, therefore, to those who have met Dr. Riddle, that he exerts great influence in the community in which he has for a number of years been making his home. As a professional man he has acquired a high reputation as one who is well grounded in the principles of therapeutics, skilled in the diagnosis and treatment of disease, and, moreover, alert to add to his knowledge and reach a higher degree of practical skill. That his business has proved successful in a financial sense is considered but a merited result for his zeal and good judgment.
Abner Riddle, the father of our subject, is a native of Ohio, and came to this State with his parents in 1820, when he was but five years old. He is still living, now an inmate of the home of his son, but in former years he was one of the well known farmers of this county. The mother of our subject bore the maiden name of Mary Ann Elkin. She was removed by death in March, 1842, when the son of whom we write had scarcely passed the years of his infancy. Her father, Col. William Elkin, was quite noted among the old residents of this county, to which he came from Ohio, wither he had gone from his native State, Kentucky.
Dr. riddle was born December 9, 1851, spent his early life on a farm, and acquired a good fundamental education in the public schools. He then entered the University of Illinois at Springfield, where he was pursuing his studies when the patriotic spirit which swept like a tidal wave over the Prairie State led him to join the ranks of his country's defenders.
Some weeks before he became the age young Riddle was enrolled in Company B, One Hundred and Thirtieth Illinois Infantry, the date of his enlistment being October 25, 1862. He was sent to Memphis, Tenn., and on the 27th of March, 1863, went to Milliken's Bend, La., where the army was organized for the siege of Vicksburg. He first smelled the smoke of battle at Port Gibson, whence he marched through Mississippi and then took part in the bloody engagement at Champion Hills, on the 16th and 17th of May. He also bore a part in the battle of Black River, following which he assisted other gallant men in maintaining the siege of Vicksburg, being in front of the famous stronghold forty-eight days. He was present at the surrender, July 4, 1863, and the next day went with the regiment to Jackson, Miss., to take part in the ten days' siege of that city. Thence the boys marched to the banks of the Mississippi River, where they rested for a time until transferred to the gulf Department under Gen. Banks.
Going down to New Orleans young Riddle and his comrades were sent on an expedition to Berwick Bay, New Iberia, and the coast of Texas, during the winter of 1863-64. In February they returned to Berwick Bay and started on the Red River expedition. At Sabine Crossroads, La., in April, Mr. Riddle was captured by the enemy and being taken to Tyler, Tex., experienced the horrors of Southern prison life until April, 1865. On his release from confinement he was taken to New Orleans thence to St. Louis, Mo., and then to Springfield, Ill., where he was discharged. His health had been shattered by prison life and for a time his restoration to his accustomed vigor was his sole thought and aim.
When sufficiently recovered to endure a student's life, Mr. Riddle resumed his work in the university at Springfield and on leaving there began the study of medicine. He entered Rush Medical college at Chicago, spent the school year of 1866-67 in assiduous study there, then began active practice at Niantic, Macon County. He still continued the study of his profession, and in 1872 again entered Rush Medical college, from which he received the degree of Doctor of Medicine. He at once established an office in Mechanicsburg, where he has remained, holding the business against a half score of transients and responding to steadily increasing calls. So widespread has his reputation become that his practice sometimes amounts to as much as $8,000 per year. He has bought a fine farm and invested money in Springfield city property, thus preparing for the rainy day, should he live to be physically unable to continue his professional duties, and ensuring his family against want.
Dr. Riddle secured for his life companion Cordelia Constant, a native of this county, with whom he was united in marriage September 3, 1868. Mrs. Riddle is an educated, refined woman, who fully sympathizes with her husband in his advanced ideas and thoroughly understands the art of making a cozy and happy home. Four children have come to bless the happy union. From their earliest childhood they have been treated as responsible beings, the parents living on the same plane with them, and the result is that the fullest confidence exists between parents and children. The household band is remarkable for the polished manners of its members and the thoughtful care of each for the welfare of the others. The children are Earl A., who was graduated form Eureka (Ill.) College after completing the classical course and is now a successful teacher and a young man of most exemplary habits; Lila Mabel, who is pursuing her study of the classics in Eureka College; Willie Elkin, who is taking a preparatory course in the home school; Grace Halbert, who is following as fast as her youth will permit in the same course of intellectual culture.
Dr. Riddle belongs to the masonic fraternity, to the Grand Army of the Republic, and as may well be supposed, is a member of the Association of Union Prisoners. He has advanced ideas on the subject of education and to him more than to any other one man is due the excellence of the home school, which stands on a par with any in the county. His motto is "good teachers first, expense second," and this principle has led to the employment of the best instructors and the consequent elevation of the educational status of the pupils. He is a member of the Christian Church and brings his customary zeal to bear upon religious work. His home abounds with choice literature and is an ideal one in its evidences of refined taste. Dr. Riddle is a whole souled, genial gentleman, whose liberality to family and friends has passed into a proverb, and whose portrait in connection with this brief life review, will be welcomed by his large circle of acquaintances.