Alexander McSwain Sheridan Riddler 1873-1874
Born in March, 1837 in New York City, NY.

Died November 9, 1907 in Naperville, DuPage County, Illinois.

Married Mary Daphne Collins August 6, 1874.

Occupation Cashier for Willard Scott and Co., bankers. Also listed as a Solicitor in the 1900 census.

Served in the 8th Illinois Cavalry, 1861-1865. Took part in battles of Beverly Ford, Hazel Run, W. Va. South Mountain, Antietam, and Gettysburg. Suffered a shell wound to his right eye. Was present with Union Lieutenant Marcellus E. Jones who allegedly fired the first shot at Gettysburg. A marker commemorating the event was bought and paid for by Jones, Levi Shafer ( the man whose weapon Jones fired) and Alexander Riddler. Made of limestone quarried in Naperville, the trio returned to Gettysburg with it in 1886 to place it on the site of their historic volley.
Second of nine children, at age 13 worked at his fathers store in Naperville, then as a clerk in Omaha, Nebraska in 1855. Returned to Naperville in 1859 due to poor health.
Became Naperville Treasurer and Clerk in 1861.
After the Civil War he returned to Naperville and was elected Village Clerk from 1866-1873. Then worked as a clerk at Dr. Daniels drugstore until 1872. He also worked for a time as a real estate agent.

Served as a Village Trustee for 3 years and also as Village President/Mayor in 1879.

He was elected DuPage County Treasurer for the years 1887-1890.

He served on the Naperville Fire Department as Fire Marshall, Assistant Fire Marshall, Foreman, and Secretary.

He also served Euclid Lodge as Senior Warden in 1886, 1887, 1888, and 1889, as Junior Warden inn 1872, as Treasurer for 18 years, 1890 through 1907, as Secretary in 1875, 1876, 1879, and 1880, and as Senior Deacon in 1868.

From "A History Of Dupage County, 1882".

A. McS. S. Riddler, cashier for W. Scott & Co., bankers, Naperville, is a native of the City of New York; born in 1837; second child of a family of nine children born to John J. and Elizabeth (Sanderson) Riddler, natives of Scotland, where they were married, and where also their eldest child was born. John J. Riddler and family came to the United States in 1837; lived one year in New York City, thence moved to Chicago; thence, in 1838, to Flag Creek, Cook County, Ill., where he carried on farming; in 1840, moved to DuPage County; thence, in 1844, to the village of Naperville. In 1843, he became Deputy Recorder, and, in 1847, was elected Recorder, serving in that office from 1850 to 1854. Was engaged in mercantile business in Naperville; was Postmaster there from 1856 to 1860, and thereafter held the office of Justice of the Peace until his death, in 1866. His widow lives on the old homestead in Naperville.

The subject of this sketch received a fair education, and, when thirteen years old, entered his father's store in Naperville. In 1855, secured a position as a clerk in a store in Omaha, Nebraska, which he resigned in 1859 on account of ill health, and returned to Naperville, where he secured the office of Treasurer, and was elected Clerk in 1861. In September, 1861, he enlisted in Company E, Eighth Illinois Cavalry; served three years and ten months, and was mustered out in July, 1865, as First Lieutenant, having attained to that rank by successive promotions from Fifth Corporal. During his time of service, he participated in the battles of Beverly Ford and Hazel Run, W. Va., South Mountain, Antietam, Gettysburg and other engagements in which his regiment took part. Returned to Naperville at the close of the war. He was elected Village Clerk in 1866, which office he held till 1873. In 1867, he engaged as clerk in Dr. Daniel's drug store, where he remained until 1872, when he took his present position, cashier for the banking firm W. Scott & Co. He has filled the offices of Village Trustee for three years and President of the Board one year. In 1874, he married Mary D. Collins, a native of Naperville, daughter of John Collins, one of the early residents of this vicinity.

Obituary reprinted from "The Naperville Clarion", Wednesday, November 13, 1907.

Once more death invades the ranks of the old soldiers and removes from our midst one of Naperville's oldest and most respected citizens.

Alexander McS. S. Riddler passed away at his home on Chicago Avenue, Saturday morning, November 9th, 1907, at the age of seventy years.

Mr. Riddler, or "Alex" as he was commonly known, practically spent his whole life in Naperville. For many years he was identified with the banking interests of this city and was highly regarded in business circles as a man of sterling character, unselfish and strictly honest in all his dealings. He was a soldier in the Union Army during the late rebellion, serving in the 8th Illinois Cavalry. Since the war he has taken the greatest interest in all matters pertaining to the Grand Army of the Republic. He was a man of strong convictions and of upright life. Although a Democrat he was elected County Treasurer of DuPage County, and served in this capacity for four years; DuPage County at the time of his election was overwhelmingly Republican. He was appointed by the County Judge of DuPage county a member of the Board of Review, serving one term.

In the City of Naperville where he lived so many years he held almost every office in the gift of the people. In religion he was an Episcopalian, and for more than thirty years was treasurer of St. John's Church of this city.

His wife, Mary Collins Riddler, passed into the spirit world two years ago. They had no children.

The funeral services were held in St. John's Church, Monday afternoon, November 11th, 1907, Dr. G. E. Dienst officiating. The Masons, of which order he was a loyal member for many years, and Walter Blanchard Post No. 368, G.A.R. turned out in a body. Many friends from Chicago, Aurora, Downers Grove and nearby towns attended the final rites of this well known and beloved citizen.

The floral tributes, which were numerous and beautiful, attested the high esteem in which the departed was held. Business was suspended in Naperville during the hour of funeral service.

Honorary pall bearers were Captain T. H. Rogers, of Downers Grove; Judge J. H. Batten, W. P. Wright, Arthur B. Cody, of Chicago; Major Willard Scott, Dr. J. A. Bell, Thomas Betts, Francis Granger, V. A. Dieter, Joseph A. Reuss, D. D. Barnard, W. Spencer Green, John C. Bauer, and Martin Becker, of this city.

The active pall bearers were old comrades from the 8th Illinois Cavalry; Charles Howell of Chicago; Morgan Hughes of Aurora; Eli H. Ditzler, of Hinsdale; Levi Shaffer, Aaron Dissinger, and John Stoner, of Naperville.

The G.A.R. conducted the services at the grave where the remains of Alex Riddler were tenderly laid away to await the final bugle call.