Ashe County, NC Heritage Book II - John and Barbara Elizabeth (Lizzie) Howell Riddle, article 317
John Riddle's father was William Riddle. John and Lizzie are both born in Ashe Co and after their marriage, lived there until sometime before 1910. The census records of 1910 indicated that they had moved to Johnson County, TN. That record indicated that Lizzie Riddle was the mother of 12 children of which only 5 were living. It is believed that the seven, who didn't survive, died in childhood and were all probably buried in Ashe County. One surviving son, Arthur Riddle (b. 5-26-1897 d. 5-6-1974 is buried in the Johnny Severt cemetery. John Riddle married Celia Severt about three years after Lizzie died. She is also buried in the Johnny Severt cemetry. There were no children from the second marriage. The John Riddle family lived in Clifton Township during the late 1800's and early 1900's and received their mail at R.F.D. Solitude, NC (discontinued in 1911).

1870 Census Ashe Co NC Laurel Township #56/56
Joseph Graybeal 50 M NC Farmer
Margaret 46 F NC Keeping House...(Margaret (Ashley) Graybeal)
Mary A. 17 F NC
Caroline 14 F NC
John Riddle 9 M NC
Florence Robertson 5 F NC

1880 Census Ashe Co NC Laurel Township #37/42, enumerated on 08 Jun 1880
Joseph Graybeal 60 M NC Farmer Fa: NC Mo: NC
Maggie 58 F NC Wife, Keeping House...(Margaret (Ashley) Graybeal)
Mary Sheets 16 F NC Servant Fa: NC Mo: NC
John Riddle 16 M NC Laborer (Native American) Fa: NC Mo: NC

John Riddle and Barbara Elizabeth "Lizzie" Howell were married on July 23, 1888 in Ashe Co., NC by Justice of the Peace John Brown.

1900 Census Ashe Co NC North Fork Township #55
John Riddle 38 M May 1862
Elisabeth 35 F 1865 Wife...(Barbara Elizabeth "Lizzie" (Howell) Riddle)
David 7 M Feb 1893 Son
Charley 4 M Jun 1895 Son
Arther 3 M May 1897 Son
Dwey 1 M May 1899 Son

1910 Census Ashe Co NC 1st Civil District #154/154
John Riddle 50 M NC
Lizzie F NC Wife, 12 children/5 living...(Barbara Elizabeth "Lizzie" (Howell) Riddle)
Dave 17 M NC Son
Charley F. 14 M NC Son
Authur 13 M NC Son
Mary A. 6 F NC Dau
Roy 1 & 6/12 M NC Son

1920 Census Johnson Co TN 1st Civil District #218/218, enumerated on January 14, 1920
John Riddle 57 M NC Farmer Fa: NC Mo: NC
Lizzie 54 F TN Wife...(Barbara Elizabeth "Lizzie" (Howell) Riddle)
Ellen 15 F TN Dau
Roy 11 M TN Son

John Riddle and Celia Severt were married on December 8, 1926 in Johnson Co., TN by N. M. Blevins

1930 Census Johnson Co TN Civil District #1, Gentry's Branch, #39/40, Enumeration District 46-1, Enumerated on April 16, 1930
John Riddle 66 M NC Farm Laborer
Celia 62 F NC Wife...(Celia (Severt) Riddle)
Arthur 32 M NC Son Farm Laborer
Roy 21 M NC Son Laborer/Steam Rail Road
Jane Severt 45 F NC Sister-in-law...(Sarah Jane Severt) *
* Married John Riddle's son Arthur on 21 Feb 1931, in Johnson Co., TN

1940 Census Johnson Co TN Laurel Bloomery, Civil District 1, #119, Enumeration District 46-1, Enumerated April 24, 1940
John Riddle 78 M NC
Ceila 62 F NC Wife...(Celia (Severt) Riddle)
Arthur Riddle 51 M NC Son Farmer
Jane Riddle 56 F NC Daughter-in-law...(Sarah Jane (Severt) Riddle)

Tennessee Death Records, 1914-1955
Name: John Riddle
Death Date: 13 Jan 1944
Death Place: Laurel Bloomery, Johnson, Tennessee
Gender: Male
Marital Status: Married
Race: White
Age: 78
Birth Date: 20 Nov 1865
Birthplace: Ashe, N.C.
Spouse's Name: Selie Seivert Riddle (Celia Severt Riddle)
Mother's Name: Mary Sawyers
Mother's Birthplace: Ashe, N.C.
Occupation: Farmer
Address: Rural
Residence Place: Laurel Bloomery, Johnson, Tennessee
Cemetery: Acre Field
Burial Place: Laurel Bloomery, Tenn.
Burial Date: 15 Jan 1944