members. To the support and maintenance of this lodge, Mr. Riddle contributed liberally in funds and effort; giving free use of a hall for twenty-five years for its meetings. He was, in 1874, the only surviving one of its early projectors. During anti-mason times, this lodge was one of the very few in the State which kept its "altar-fires alive," and held regular communications unbroken. He was also a member of Mt. Horeb Chapter, and a member of Trinity Commandery of Knights Templars. Amid the varied activities of a busy life, agriculture received no small share of his attention, owning several farms, which he cultivated with success, experimenting with crops and giving results to the public. He was a patron of the State and County fairs, gave much thought to improved methods of farming, and in many ways strove to aid in the advancement of the best interests of agriculture. The growing of hops was a specialty with him, and he carried it to highly successful results, estab lishing theories of his own, and generally improving the grade and quality of the hops raised in the State.

After the incorporation of the city of Manchester, and when military interests were dormant throughout the State, General Riddle organized the Amoskeag Veterans, a military association composed of many of the most prominent and enterprising men of the city at that time. This was in the year 1854. Out of this association a battalion was formed, and General Riddle chosen commander. The success of this movement awakened the military spirit of the State, and soon after the whole military system was re-established and vitalized. The Veterans uniformed in Continental style, and upon parade presented a unique and attractive appearance. Its first public display worthy of mention was in Boston, on the occasion of a celebration of the Battle of Bunker Hill, at Charlestown. This assured its reputation.

In the fall of 1855, upon the invitation of President Pierce, the Amoskeag Veterans visited Washington, and became guests at the White House, freely enjoying its hospitality and receiving official honors. While there it made a notable pilgrimage to the Tomb of Washington, at Mt. Vernon. On its return homeward the battalion created much enthusiasm in the cities through which it passed; the stalwartness and martial bearing of the Veterans, the quaintness of their uniform, and their soldierly demeanor, attracted public notice. At Baltimore, Philadelphia, and New York, it received especial attention and entertainment. During the late war the Veterans evinced patriotism by volunteering their services to the Governor of New Hampshire. The corps exists to-day, highly honored and generally respected as one of the institutions among the "Granite Hills."

Mr. Riddle, though not a politician, always took manifest interest in the politics of the country. At first a staunch Whig, and subsequently an earnest Republican. He believed in advanced party principles, but had little regard for mere party policies. He ardently supported the Constitution and the Union, and ever upheld the integrity of the country. He respected the constitutional rights of all sections, and sought to sustain justice and freedom always and everywhere. Liberty of thought, speech, and action were fundamental with him. During the late Rebellion he was an earnest supporter of the government, and welcomed peace and the results of the war as a harbinger of a redeemed and glorified republic. In religious faith Mr. Riddle was a Unitarian, though born of ScotchPresbyterian parentage, and bred under such influences. His intellectual

force and independence led him to more liberal views and a broader faith. He was prominent among the early founders of the Unitarian Church at Manchester, and took much personal interest in its success. Charitable of the opinions of others, he was consistent in his own.

Not the least among the varied talents of General Riddle was his musical proficiency, both as a choir leader and instrumental performer at Bedford for twenty years.

Hospitable and courteous always, he enjoyed the society of good and cultivated men; liberality and generosity were traits of his character; to the appeals of the poor and unfortunate he turned not away. In private life he was greatly respected, and fully sustained the confidence of his fellow-men; in public life he was identified with every good and worthy undertaking. In church, and state, and society, ever present with aid and encouragement. Integrity, probity, and energy marked his whole career. Few men of his generation have lived more efficient lives, and few have left behind a deeper impress or a broader record of usefulness and enterprise for a memorial. Mr. Riddle died at his residence in Piscataquog Village, May 18, 1875, aged 82 years. He was buried with masonic and military honors, and his remains deposited in the family tomb at Bedford. The portrait of Mr. Riddle, in this book, was furnished by his sons.

James Riddles (2), second son of Isaac2 (1), was born in Bedford, N. H., June 26, 1791; married in 1810, Charlotte Farmer, sister of the distinguished antiquary; this lady was born July 20, 1792, and died while on a visit to Quincy in 1828. She was a beautiful and amiable woman. In 1829 he married Laura, daughter of Solomon Barker, of Pelham (she was born Jan. 11, 1802, and died March 4, 1831), and thirdly, in 1833, he married Eliza Hunt (she was born May 6, 1807), who survived him, and resides in Nashua. Mr. Riddle died Nov. 24, 1840, aged 49 years; he had issue five children, of whom hereafter. He was for many years engaged in business with his father and brothers, being a member of the firm of Isaac Riddle & Sons; was a man of activity and good business capacity, and largely interested in staging before the days of railroads.

Isaac Riddles (2), third son of Isaac (1) and Ann Aiken, was born in Bedford, N. H., July 25, 1793; married, Sept. 30, 1818, Betsey, daughter of Dea. Phineas Aiken, of Bedford, and sister of Rev. Silas Aiken, sometime of Park-street Church, Boston, Mass., and by her, who died Oct. 21, 1843,- had issue five children, of whom hereafter. He married, secondly, Mrs. Ursula (Smith) Aubin, of Newburyport, Mass., by whom he had one child, who died in infancy.

Mr. Riddle acquired his education in the public schools of his native town, and the academies at Bradford and at Atkinson, N. H., and then, with his father and two brothers, formed the firm of Isaac Riddle & Sons, which carried on business at Piscataquog Village, Bedford, and Merrimack, N. H., and Boston, Mass. They assisted in constructing the Union Locks and Canals, one of the links in the chain which connected Concord with Boston. Dams and locks, for the passage of boats, were built on Merrimack River, at Merrill's Falls, in Manchester; Griffin's, Short, Goffe's, and Coos, in Bedford; and Moore's and Cromwell's, in Merrimack, — at an expense of about $80,000. They built and launched the first canal-boat which made the trip, and established a daily line of them. This company owned saw-mills, grist-mills, and extensive tracts of valuable woodland; they run what was supposed to have been the first nail-making machine north of Boston; they dealt largely in potash, hops, and produce.