H. R. RIDDLE, M.D. - For thirty years Dr. riddle has devoted his time and energies to the practice of medicine and has met with good success in his chosen calling. He has made his home in Mechanicsburg since 1873 and has built up an excellent practice there. He is a native of Sangamon county, born December 3, 1841, and is a son of Abner and Mary A. Riddle. Here he was reared and his early educational advantages, afforded by the common schools, were supplemented by a course of study in the Lutheran College of Springfield, in which he spent two years.

The Doctor numbered among the veterans of the Civil war, having enlisted in August, 1862, as a member of Company B, One Hundred and Thirtieth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, under Captain William Prescot, and Colonel J. H. Matheny. Going south his command joined Grant's army at Vicksburg, Mississippi, and participated in the battle of Port Gibson, Raymond, Black River Bridge, the siege of Vicksburg and the battle of Jackson, after which they marched back to Vicksburg, where they spent one month. On leaving there they joined the gulf department at New Orleans under General n. P. Banks, and later went to Burwick bay, and after the Franklin campaign returned to New Orleans, whence they proceeded to Matagorda bay where the winter was passed and in the spring Dr. Riddle with his comrades returned to Burwick bay then went up the Red river to Natchitoches, Louisiana. He was captured at Sabine Crossroads and was taken as a prisoner to Tyler, Texas, where he was incarcerated for thirteen months, when at the close of the war he was exchanged and returned to his home, being mustered out and honorably discharged in June, 1865.

Following his military service Dr. riddle continued his education through one term in school and the next year he engaged in farming and shearing sheep, but believing that the would prefer professional life he entered upon the study of medicine under Dr. Wynn, a pioneer physician. He pursued a course of lectures in the winter of 1866-67 in Rush Medical College of Chicago, studied again the next year and in the fall of 1868 entered upon practice which he continued until 1872, when he completed his college course, again entering Rush Medical College from which he was graduated in the class of 1873. Prior to this time he located in Christian county, where he practiced for a short time, and in the following spring removed to Broadwell, Logan county, where he continued in practice until 1870. He then took up his abode on the home farm, and carried on agricultural pursuits for two years. In 1873, however, he located in Mechanicsburg and resumed the practice of medicine, in which he has been actively engaged continuously since. He has kept abreast with the times through reading, observation and experience, and his office is thoroughly equipped with all modern accessories to facilitate his work. He is a member of the State Medical Society and the District Medical Society.

In September, 1868, occurred the marriage of Dr. Riddle and Miss Cordelia Frances Constant, a native of Sangamon county, who was reared and educated here. Her father, Reason Constant, formerly of Kentucky, was one of the first settlers of central Illinois and a member of the legislature in early days. Unto Dr. Riddle and his wife have been born two children, who are yet living. Mabel is the widow of Judge L. J. Carlock, who died of cholera in the Philippine Islands in May, 1903, and is the mother of three children, one of whom was born in the Philippines. Grace A. is a young lady at home. The eldest child, Earl, was reared to manhood in Sangamon county and engaged in teaching school for a number of years following his majority. He was well educated for the profession of medicine. He died in 1892, and William died the same year when but fifteen years of age.

Politically Dr. Riddle is a stanch Republican and is now a member of the pension board and has served as a delegate to the county and state conventions of his party. He has, however, never been an office seeker to any great extent, but has been a co-operant factor in many public measures for the general welfare. He belongs to the Masonic fraternity, being identified with the Springfield lodge, chapter and commandery, having thus attained to the Knight Templar degree. He is also a charter member of the Knights of Pythias fraternity. His wife is a member of the Christian church of Mechanicsburg. Dr. Riddle owns business and residence property in Springfield as well as in Mechanicsburg and he is well and favorably known in professional circles, while he and his family occupy an enviable position in social circles.