Souvenir Edition, The Williamstown Courier, Williamstown, Ky, May 30, 1901,
reprinted September 19, 1981 by the Grant County KY Historical Society.
[Grant Co.]

J. M. RIDDELL & SON have been conducting a saddle and harness manufactory
in Williamstown since March 1877, twenty-four years.  They have been so
long connected with the business life of Williamstown as to have become
a fixture and a part of its history.

J. M. RIDDELL is a native son of the good "old county of Boone" having
been born September 10, 1823.  His father, Neal Riddell, and his mother,
Harriette (Percival) Riddell, were each of Virginia descent and were
among the early pioneers of Kentucky.  The Riddell family in Boone County
is one of the largest and most respected families in that county and all
of them are nearly or remotely connected with our townsman, J. M. Riddell.
At 14 years of age Mr. Riddell was apprenticed to his trade and entered
upon his life's work at Burlington, then and now the county seat of Boone
County.  That was 65 years ago, and at that early date Burlington was
relatively a much more important town that it is now, since other towns
have grown up in its near proximity and the railroad has left it eight
miles in the country.  In 1847 J. M. Riddell was united in marriage to
Miss Elizabeth White.  To this union four children have been born,
Charles W., the junior member of the firm of Riddell & Son, Mrs. Emma Finch,
Mrs. Hattie Arnold and H. B. Riddell.
     Mr. Riddell is really a veteran of two wars, but claims but little
for his services in the Mexican army, as it was of but brief duration
lasting only one day.  His company was organized too late to get to the
front and was discharged at the close of the war after one day's service.
When the Civil War broke out and a call for volunteers was made Mr. Riddell
enlisted in Company A, Fifty-fifth Kentucky Mounted Infantry, and served
eleven months, at the end of which time he was discharged on account of
disability.  After a life in Burlington, most of the time engaged in his
present business of a half a century, Mr. Riddell moved with his family to
Williamstown in the early spring of 1877, bought himself a home and began
his business here.  His life in Williamstown has been worthy of emulation
by every one who has had the opportunity to enjoy his society and engage
his friendship.  Early in life he connected himself with the Christian
Church, and he and his wife have been devoted members of that church for
more than an ordinary lifetime.  He has been a deacon in the local
Christian Church for 22 years, and a Superintendent of Sunday-school for
23 years.  In politics Mr. Riddell has always affiliated with the
Democratic party.
     Three years ago he and his partner of many years celebrated their
"golden wedding" and now while well along on life's journey each of them
are hale and hearty and bid fair to have many more years of useful life
before them.

Riddell Percival White Finch Arnold
=
Boone-KY

http://www.rootsweb.com/~kygenweb/kybiog/grant/riddell.jm.txt