George R. Riddle

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U.S. Representative from Delaware U.S. Senator from Delaware
George R. Riddle

Born	1817 New Castle, Delaware
Died	March 29, 1867 Washington, DC
Political party	Democratic

George Read Riddle (1817 – March 29, 1867) was an American engineer, lawyer and politician from Wilmington, in New Castle County, Delaware. He was a member of the Democratic Party who served as U.S. Representative and as U.S. Senator from Delaware.

1 Early life and family
2 Political career
3 Death and legacy
4 Public offices
- 4.1 Election results
5 Notes
6 References
7 External links
- 7.1 Places with more information

[edit] Early life and family

Riddle was born in 1817 in New Castle, Delaware and studied civil engineering at Delaware College, now the University of Delaware. In addition he studied law and was admitted to the Delaware Bar in 1848, beginning a practice in Wilmington, Delaware. With his engineering background, he was named as a commissioner to retrace the Mason-Dixon Line in 1849, and was otherwise engaged in the construction of railroads and canals. During the Civil War, Riddle served with the Home Guard of Wilmington, Delaware.

[edit] Political career

From 1849 to 1850, Riddle served as a Deputy Attorney General of the United States. After losing in the election of 1844, he was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 1850 and served for two terms from March 4, 1851 until March 3, 1855. During the 33rd Congress, Riddle was the Chairman of the Committee on Engraving. He was defeated in a re-election bid in 1854 by Elisha D. Cullen.

On February 2, 1864 Riddle was elected to the United States Senate to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of U.S. Senator James A. Bayard, Jr. and served until his death on March 29, 1867.

[edit] Death and legacy

Riddle died while in office March 29, 1867 in Washington, DC and is buried in the Wilmington and Brandywine Cemetery in Wilmington, Delaware.

Political offices
Preceded by: John W. Houston	U.S. Representative from Delaware (at-large) March 4, 1851 – March 3, 1855	Succeeded by: Elisha D. Cullen
Preceded by: James A. Bayard, Jr.	U.S. Senator from Delaware (class 1) February 2, 1864 – March 29, 1867	Succeeded by: James A. Bayard, Jr.

[edit] Public offices

At this time Delaware elections were held the first Tuesday of November. U.S. Representatives were popularly elected for a term of two years, and the General Assembly chose the U.S Senators, for a term of six years. Both took office the following March 4th.

Office	Type	Location	Elected	Took Office	Left Office
U.S. House	Legislature	Washington	November 5, 1850	March 4, 1851	March 3, 1853
U.S. House	Legislature	Washington	November 5, 1852	March 4, 1853	March 3, 1855
U.S. Senate	Legislature	Washington	February 2, 1864	February 2, 1864	March 29, 1867

[edit] Election results

Year	Office	Subject	Party	votes	%	Opponent	Party	votes	%	notes
1844	U.S. House	George R. Riddle	Democratic	6,023	49%	John W. Houston	Whig	6,229	51%
1850	U.S. House	George R. Riddle	Democratic	6,055	49%	George B. Rodney	Whig	5,926	48%	^[1]
1852	U.S. House	George R. Riddle	Democratic	6,692	50%	John W. Houston	Whig	6,630	50%
1854	U.S. House	George R. Riddle	Democratic	6,334	48%	Elisha D. Cullen	American	6,820	52%

[edit] Notes

^ Independent candidate Francis D. Wait received 453 votes.

[edit] References

Martin, Roger A. (2003). Delawareans in Congress. Middletown, DE: Roger A. Martin. ISBN 0-924117-26-5.
Wilson, W. Emerson (1969). Forgotten Heroes of Delaware. Cambridge, MA: Deltos Publishing Company.
U.S. Congress (2005). Biographical Directory of the U.S. Congress. Retrieved on 2006-06-01.

[edit] External links

Kestenbaum, Lawrence (2005). The Political Graveyard. Retrieved on 2006-06-01.
Pickett, Russell S (2005). Delaware and U.S.History. Retrieved on 2006-06-01.
Scharf, John Thomas (1888). History of Delaware 1609-1888. Accessible Archives, Inc. Retrieved on 2006-06-01.

[edit] Places with more information

University of Delaware Library 181 South College Ave., Newark, Delaware (302) 831-2965.
Newark Free Library 750 Library Ave.,Newark Delaware (302) 731-7550.
Corbit-Calloway Memorial Library 2nd and High St. Odessa Delaware (302) 378-8838.
Historical Society of Delaware 505 Market St., Wilmington, Delaware (302) 655-7161.

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