William Riddell Sr.
Submitted by:  Lynn Mack
 
William RIDDELL, Sr., a substantial farmer and stock raiser of Polk
county, residing two and a half miles west of Monmouth, is a native of
Scotland, his birth having occurred in Aberdeen, October 12, 1844.
His parents, James and Isabelle (TYTLER) Riddell, were also natives of
the land of hills and heather, where the father followed the
occupation of landscape gardening.  He spent his entire life in his
native country, passing away in October, 1905, while the mother's
demise occurred in April, 1908.
 
Their son, William RIDDELL, Sr., was reared and educated in Scotland
and on starting out to earn a livelihood was first employed as a farm
hand and later took up the work of landscape gardening, with which he
was connected for three years.  In 1866 he sought the opportunities
offered in the new world, residing for a time in Canada and also in
the state of California.  In 1870 he came to Oregon, renting land in
Linn county, which he continued to operate for seven years, and then
removed to Polk county, purchasing a section of land two miles west of
Monmouth.  He has cleared and developed two hundred and seventy-five
acres of the tract, adding many improvements and bringing the land to
a high state of productivity as the result of his indefatigable labor,
determination and industry.  Of the original section he has sold all
but four hundred acres, but has purchased additional land and now owns
eleven hundred acres in all.  For the past thirty years he has been
engaged in raising pure bred Angora goats and Cotswold and Lincoln
sheep, generally keeping on hand six hundred head of the former and
four hundred head of the latter.  He exhibits his stock at the state
fairs and live stock shows and in 1920 was an exhibitor at all of the
principal fairs held in the state of Washington.  He is one of the
best known stockmen in the northwest and has been very successful in
his operations along that line, possessing an intimate knowledge of
the business. He is interested in modern developments along
agricultural lines; believes in scientific methods and keeps abreast
of the times in every way.
 
On the 1st of December, 1869, Mr. RIDDELL was united in marriage to
Miss Margaret M. RAE, and they became the parents of nine children,
namely: Mary I., Margaret, William, Jr., David, James, Edward, John,
Earnest and Leslie.  Three of the sons are in partnership with their
father, assisting him in his farming and stock-raising operations.
The wife and mother passed away December 14, 1907, after a short
illness, and her loss was the occasion of deep sorrow to her family
and to her many friends in the community where she had so long
resided.
 
Mr. RIDDELL gives his political allegiance to the republican party and
for two terms he served as county commissioner.  He is a member of the
Presbyterian church and his life is ever guided by its teachings.  His
genuine personal worth and his activity in a useful line of endeavor
have combined to make him one of the enterprising and representative
men of this section whose careers have been influential factors in
agricultural development.
 
History of Oregon, Biographical, Vol. II, The Pioneer Historical
Publishing Company, 1922, Page 261-263, Photos included.
 
 
 

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