Delaware Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1843-1874, 1873-06-05

swim W tie INV " t'i'J " SuN t'sh bhti vi ~
frmaton, even il they have no fear of being
called on 10 pay the penalty prescribed. Sew
eral Of the Hundreds have not published their
accounts for sometime back, and, 10 say the
least, the omission has a very suspicious ar-
pearance.
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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH OF JAMES RIDDLE.
james Riddle, the senior member of the firm
of James Riddle, Son x CO. and proprietor Of
Riddles Mills, was born at Belfast, ireland, in
1903, em grated TO this country in 1927, and
commenced the business of spinning and man
ulacturiug cotton goods, ia Delaware county,
Pennsylvania, where he laid the foundation Of
the large furtune] which has crowned the labors
of a life time Added to his perseverance, hon
csly and business attachments, his moral and
religious principles made Mr.. Riddle q useful
and influential member Of society. Before
leaving Ireland, hc had united with the Meiho-
lis. Fps opal church, OF which he has iemain-
ell a sincere and consistent member to the
lr.sent day, he having been licensed as u local
preacher in 1881. He has facetiously said he
had two calls one to manufacture cotton, and
the other To preach the gospel, and he is one OF
the few instances Of obeying both calls, and
being successful in each. A year after Mr..
Riddles arrival on Darby Creek, lie formed
cn-parlnership with his brother Samuel, and
the new firm commenced the manufacture o:
cotton goods at Springfield, in Delaware coun-
~, about five miles from Glen Riddle, where
his brother Samuel yet resides.
This co-pattnership although very successful,
was dissolved in 1888, when James Riddle en-
gagged in the manufacturing business at Avon
dale, ON Crnm Creek in Delaware county
His usual success here attended him, and after
remaining years, he formed a co-partnership
with Henry Lawrence and coming to Whining
ton in 1919, purchased the old Gilpin estate.
RIDDLES BANKS.
The Gilpiu estate, at the time of its purchase
by Riddle " Lawrence, including 100 acres of
rocky land, three old paper mills, partially de-
sLroyed by the combined elements of fire and
flood, two mansion houses already described
two cottages, and number Of tenant houses.
For some years after Messrs Riddle K Law
renee had commenced operations upon the
Brandywine. Mr.. Riddle individually carried
Gnthe mandatory at Avondale on Crum Greek,
Delaware Co. The first action oil the new firm,
was to rebuild The dam, and the burned build
ings, aud now in place of three old Gathering
paper mills, three large cotton manufactures
have arisen Phnnix-like from the ashes Of the
past, and the hum of busy machinery is welcome
music TO this utilarian age. The number of
tenement houses has been greatly increased and
beside the old "kentmerc" mansion, rises up IN
graceful proportions the elegant new residence
Of William NJ. Field, which, in general outline,
interior arrangement, and architectural beauty,
Is equal to any icsdeuci in this State. The
woodman's alr has laid bare the gently undu-
iating hill in front Of the old fashioned stone
mansion, now occupied by James Riddle and
the stately forest trees are only remembered by
those of our oldest citizens who have enjoyed
their luxurious shades. In semcircle in front
OF the old mansion, a few representatives of the
primeval woods get stand ut lonely sentinels Of
The past. Iutermingling with those giants, ma
pie have been planted in the open spaces, and
within the crmicircular yard grayelled walks
haSe bean Laid out, and beautiful flower be DIS
tolme'.
Not forgetting IN the tide of his success in
business one OF the calls tn duty already men
tioaed, Dir. Riddle has provided well for the
moral AND religious welfare of his tenants. Up
on the brow OF the hill with its gracefully form
ed spire Tseping out above the tops of the trees,
is the village chapel, built in Gothic style OF ar
chiteciure, with stained glass windows and a
fine toned bell
For romantic aud beautiful scenery Riddles
Banks are unsurpassed The shaded grove on
the top of the hill has been the resort for many
years, of social parties and picncs flee fcharge
but 10 associations except those OF a moral or
religious character are allowed TO occupy the
grounds.
Tho principal part Of the building, paving
curhing and other stones used in the city o
Wilmington, have been taken from these hills,f
and so vast Is the supply Of this Braudywne
blue granite that ii eau hardly be exhausted.
Not alone has Mr.. Riddle been highly EST eem-
gu SfedL DuSliless anu
character but the Republican party, of which
he has ALWAYS been 4 member made him their
candidate for Governor of Delaware in 1866, in
which contest h0 was defeated by Cove Sauls-
bury, the candidate OF the Democratic party,
then in the zenith ui lis power, but in which
contest Mr.. Riddle, owing to his extreme popu-
iari.y, ran considerably ahead Of the ticket OH
which he was placed Imtibing the same BUSH
ness tact, moral, religious aud political prlnc-
pies Of his father Leander F., his son, though
sea 'ccy 30 years Of age, in the last political cam
paisn, was eiecleu State Senator from New Cas-
tie county, with large and complimentary ma
iority, and is now the only Republican member
IN the Senate of Delaware.
THE LARGEST "TloKING" MANuFACToRY IN
THE CoUNTRY.-James fiddle, Leander + Rid
die, and William NJ. Field, compose the manu-
featuring firm of James Riddle. Son & Co.,
and are engaged in the manufacture of that
particular article of cotton goods called "Tick
Ing" mostly of the higher grades.
They have IN operation between 10000 and
1900 spindles, 800 looms, and employ about
250 hands, and their mills are without doubI
the largest and most extensive mandatory of
that kind Of goods in the United States.
They ind ready market for all their goods
In the large commercial cities, San francisco
being one Of the cities TO which large quaint
ty of their goods Is shipped
These mills have been driven entirely by
800 horse water power, no lack OF water eve
having been experienced until last summer,
when it became so low that the mills could no
be run on full time. To obviate the annoyance
of a like occurrence the firm is now putting in
steam engine of 200 horse power, which viii in
sure the steady running Of the mills, even il
seasons of protracted drought. Commercial.
CHILDREN TO DE PI TIED.-This is drea
full state of things that is declared by ID
8 a.. Statta tipff