Samuel D. Riddle

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Samuel D. Riddle
Born July 1, 1861(1861-07-01)
Glen Riddle, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Died January 8, 1951
Berlin, Maryland, U.S.
Occupation Businessman:
Textile manufacturing
Racehorse owner/breeder

Samuel Doyle Riddle (July 1, 1861January 8, 1951). He was born in Glen Riddle, Pennsylvania, a small town southwest of Philadelphia given the family name in honor of his grandfather.

Riddle, a native of Delaware County, owned and operated a woolen mill but is best known as a sportsman. The owner of Glen Riddle Farm, he bred and raced Thoroughbred race horses. His most famous horses were Man o' War and War Admiral.

Samuel Riddle's father was Samuel D. Riddle an attorney, as was his father's brother, Leander W. Riddle. They were principals in the law firm of Samuel Riddle's Sons. His aunts on his father's side were Lydia Maud Riddle (who married Donald C. Haldeman, general manager for Great Britain and Ireland of the Mutual Life Insurance Company of New York) and Charlotte Buffington Riddle. Miss Riddle, member number 25516 of the Daughters of the American Revolution, married Mr. Homer Lee (of Mansfield, Ohio, who founded the Homer Lee Bank Note Company in New York City. Their children were Leander Lee and Homer Lee, Jr.

Upon his death in January of 1951, Mr. Riddle's will stipulated that his estate be used to provide a hospital for the community of Media. With the $2.5 million and the 72 acres of land, fronted by Baltimore Pike, provided by Mr. Riddle, a charter for the hospital was granted on November 29, 1956. Riddle Memorial Hospital was built, opening in February of 1963, on 34 acres of land. It was thought appropriate that the balance of the land be used at some future date in some manner related to the health and well-being of the community.

The Riddlewood residential housing development in Middletown Township, Delaware County, Pennsylvania, is named for Mr. Riddle.