Harrison H. Riddleberger facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Harrison Holt Riddleberger
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| United States Senator from Virginia |
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| In office March 4, 1883 – March 4, 1889 |
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| Preceded by | John W. Johnston |
| Succeeded by | John S. Barbour, Jr. |
| Member of the Virginia Senate for Shenandoah and Page |
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| In office December 3, 1879 – March 4, 1883 |
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| Preceded by | Mann Spitler |
| Succeeded by | Amos K. Grim |
| Member of the Virginia House of Delegates from Shenandoah County | |
| In office 1871–1875 |
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| Preceded by | J. L. Campbell |
| Succeeded by | Henry C. Allen |
| Personal details | |
| Born | October 4, 1843 Edinburg, Virginia, U.S. |
| Died | January 24, 1890 (aged 46) Woodstock, Virginia, U.S. |
| Political party | Conservative Party of Virginia Readjuster Party Democratic |
| Profession | Lawyer, soldier, newspaperman |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance |  Confederate States of America |
| Branch/service | infantry, cavalry |
| Years of service | 1862–1865 |
| Rank | lieutenant, captain |
| Unit | 10th Virginia Infantry |
| Commands | 23rd Virginia Cavalry |
Harrison Holt Riddleberger (October 4, 1843 – January 24, 1890) was an important person from Virginia. He was a lawyer, a newspaper editor, and a politician. Riddleberger served in the Virginia General Assembly and was even elected as a U.S. Senator from 1883 to 1889. He was also an officer in the Confederate States Army during the American Civil War.
Contents
Early Life and Education
Harrison Riddleberger was born in Edinburg, Virginia, which is in Shenandoah County, Virginia. His father, Madison Riddleberger, was a gunsmith. His mother was Susan Shyrock. Harrison had an older sister, Louisa, and a younger brother, William.
Harrison went to local private schools. When he was 15, in 1858, he started working as a clerk in a store. Two years later, he helped create a local cavalry group in Harrisonburg.
American Civil War Service
When the American Civil War was happening in 1862, Harrison Riddleberger joined the Confederate States Army. He became a first lieutenant in the 10th Virginia Infantry on April 22, 1862. He helped lead Company C.
He fought in the Second Battle of Bull Run. Later, he was injured when he was accidentally shot in the foot. In 1863, he helped recruit new soldiers and scout for enemy movements.
Riddleberger joined the army again in November 1863. He became a Captain in Company G of the 23rd Virginia Cavalry. However, on May 14, 1864, Union soldiers captured him in Edinburg. He became a prisoner of war (POW).
He spent most of the rest of the war as a POW. He was held in prisons in Wheeling, Ohio, and Maryland. He was finally released when the war ended, after promising to be loyal to the United States.
Career After the War
After the war, Riddleberger returned to Woodstock. He worked as a clerk and also taught school. He started a newspaper called the Tenth Legion Banner. While he was a prisoner, he had read law books. This made him want to become a lawyer.
Around 1870, he began studying law with Henry C. Allen. Riddleberger then moved to Woodstock, the main town in Shenandoah County. He started editing another newspaper, the Shenandoah Herald. After passing his exams, he became a lawyer and opened his own law office in Woodstock.
Becoming a Virginia Politician
After 1870, many former Confederate soldiers were allowed to vote and run for office again. Riddleberger ran for one of Shenandoah County's seats in the Virginia House of Delegates. He won and served until 1875. He was part of the Conservative Party of Virginia.
In 1876, Riddleberger was elected as the local prosecutor for Shenandoah County. He served in this role until 1883. In 1879, he was elected to the state Senate. He represented Shenandoah and Page counties for one term.
During this time, he also continued to work in newspapers. He edited the Shenandoah Democrat and later the Virginian. From 1884, he and his wife owned and published the Shenandoah Herald.
The Readjuster Party and State Debt
In the late 1870s, Riddleberger joined a new political group called the Readjuster Party. This party was formed by William Mahone. It brought together different groups, including Black citizens, Republicans, and some Democrats. The Readjusters were very important in Virginia politics for about 10 years.
The main goal of the Readjuster Party was to deal with Virginia's large state debt. Before the Civil War, Virginia had borrowed a lot of money to build railroads and canals. Many of these projects were destroyed during the war. After the war, Virginia's economy was struggling. The state also needed money to pay for new public schools.
Riddleberger worked hard to pass a law about this debt. His bill suggested that Virginia should only pay back a smaller amount of the debt, and at a lower interest rate. It also stopped people from using old debt coupons to pay their state taxes. This bill was very important for the state's finances and for funding public education.
In 1881, Riddleberger tried to become the Readjuster Party's choice for governor, but another person, William E. Cameron, was chosen instead. Cameron won the election and became governor.
Serving as a U.S. Senator
On December 21, 1881, with the Readjuster Party having a majority in the state legislature, Harrison Riddleberger was elected to the United States Senate. He started his term on March 4, 1883, and served until March 4, 1889.
In the U.S. Senate, Riddleberger worked with the Republican Party. He became the chairman of the United States Senate Committee on Manufactures. This committee later became the United States Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation.
He did not run for re-election in 1888. By then, the Readjuster Party had lost its power in Virginia. After his term ended, Riddleberger returned to the Democratic Party.
Personal Life
Harrison Riddleberger married Emma Belew. Her father, Dr. Peter Belew, had also served in the state Senate. Harrison and Emma had several children: sons Frank, Ralph, Hugh, and Harrison Heath, and daughters Lelia, Olive, and Edna.
Death and Legacy
Harrison Riddleberger died at his home in Woodstock on January 24, 1890. He was 46 years old. He was buried in the family plot at Cedarwood Cemetery in Edinburg.
His wife, Emma, continued to publish the Shenandoah Herald newspaper until 1894. Their home in Woodstock is still standing today. It is now known as "Riddleberger Hall" and is part of the Massanutten Military Academy. It houses the alumni association headquarters.
