Tuscola-Livingston County MI Archives Biographies.....Riddle, Frank D. 1856 - ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/mi/mifiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Joy Fisher sdgenweb@yahoo.com February 5, 2007, 10:58 pm Author: Chapman Bros. (1892) FRANK D. RIDDLE, proprietor of the Caro Machine Works, was born November 12, 1856, in the township of Oceola, Livingston County. He is therefore at this time in the prime of life and is classed among the most influential citizens of this thriving city. His business is carried on in a two-story structure, 36x56 feet in dimensions, and during the busy season he employs nine hands. His present prosperous position is due to his unaided exertions and he may properly be called a self-made man, in the best sense of that word. Far-sighted, discreet, and with considerable executive ability, he is qualified to take the lead in all matters of business or finance among his fellow-citizens, and the judgment of none is more sought for or more respected than his. The parents of Mr. Riddle are now residing in Caro, surrounded by the comforts which they in earlier life labored to accumulate. The father, Albert, and the mother, Eliza (Holt) Riddle, were born in New York State and came to Michigan when they were mere children. In this State they were married and have always since resided. Albert Riddle was a farmer by avocation and pursued that calling quietly and successfully until our subject was ten years old, when he was elected Treasurer of Livingston County. His first term was so successful that he was re-elected, and was efficient in his discharge of the duties of the position. For a number of years he served as Justice of the Peace, but is now living retired from the more active duties of life. As above stated, our subject remained on his father's farm until he was ten years old, when ha accompanied them to Caro and has here since remained. Good opportunities for obtaining a common-school education were offered him, and he made the most of these advantages, becoming at an early age well-informed on all general subjects. At the age of eighteen, his schooldays ended, he began to clerk in a drug store in Howell, where he sojourned five years. In the meantime he felt able to establish domestic ties of his own, and on February 27, 1878, he was united in marriage with Miss Effie S., the daughter of Theodore and Sarah (Ward) Wisner. The bride was a native of Onondaga, Ingham County, Mich., and was born January 1, 1858. The happy home is brightened by the presence of two children, Roy A., born November 14, 1883, and Fern D., August 17, 1888. A few years after his marriage Mr. Riddle began to work with his father-in-law, who was a machinist, and having a natural taste for this, and being industrious and energetic, he is now a skilled workman. In 1880, with his father-in-law, he removed to Caro and established a small shop, 16x24 feet, which has grown into the dimensions of the present establishment, our subject being the sole proprietor. His success did not come to him by chance or accident, but is the necessary outcome of his devotion to business, attention to details, endeavors to please and excellent judgment. In matters political Mr. Riddle is a Democrat, but is by no means a politician. He has been honored by a place on the Village Board, where he has served for five years. He has also been Chief of the Fire Department ever since it was organized. In educational affairs he shows an especial interest and any measure calculated to advance the interests of the public schools receives his hearty approval. A member of the School Board for the past three years, he has also served as Treasurer of the School District. Socially he is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Order of the Maccabees. His residence, which is one of comfort, contains all the modern conveniences, and is heated with steam, the pipes having been put in by himself. Additional Comments: Extracted from: Portrait and Biographical Record of Genesee, Lapeer and Tuscola Counties, Michigan, Containing Biographical Sketches of Prominent and Representative Citizens, Together with Biographies of all the Governors of the State, and of the Presidents of the United States Chicago: Chapman Bros. 1892 File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/mi/tuscola/bios/riddle460gbs.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.org/mifiles/ File size: 4.6 Kb