Alexander Biddle | |
|---|---|
_(14762766511).jpg) Colonel Alexander Biddle | |
| Born | April 29, 1819 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. |
| Died | May 2, 1899 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. |
| Place of burial | Laurel Hill Cemetery, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. |
| Allegiance | United States |
| Service | Union army |
| Battles / wars | |
| Relations | Clement Biddle (grandfather) |
Alexander Williams Biddle (April 29, 1819 – May 2, 1899) was an American businessman from Pennsylvania. He was a member of the prominent and wealthyBiddle family and the grandson ofAmerican Revolutionary War soldierClement Biddle.[1] He served as an officer in theUnion Army during theAmerican Civil War and fought in some of the key battles of the war.
Biddle was born on April 29, 1819, inPhiladelphia, Pennsylvania, to Thomas A. and Christine Williams Biddle.[2]
He received his early education from the school ofSears C. Walker in Philadelphia. He entered theUniversity of Pennsylvania in 1834 and graduated in 1838. After graduation, he worked for the Bevan and Humphreys shipping firm in Philadelphia until 1842.[3] In 1848, he joined his father's company, Thomas Biddle & Co., where he worked until the beginning of the Civil War.[2]
In 1849, he joined the first troop of the Philadelphia City Cavalry, in which he served until 1858.
On September 1, 1862, he joined the121st Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry and served under his cousin,Chapman Biddle. He served successively as a major, lieutenant colonel, and colonel.[4] He fought at theBattle of Fredericksburg, theBattle of Chancellorsville, theBattle of Gettysburg (underAbner Doubleday)[5][6] and theBattle of Bristoe Station.
His name is inscribed on the 121st Pennsylvania's monument along South Reynolds Avenue in theGettysburg National Military Park.
After the war, he retired from Thomas Biddle & Company, and in 1874, he was named a director of thePennsylvania Railroad. He also served as a director for thePhiladelphia Savings Fund Company, the Pennsylvania Company for Insurance on Lives and Granting Annuities, the Lehigh Navigation Company, and the Contributionship Insurance Company.[7] He served as president of the Board of City Trusts and as a member of the board of managers of the Pennsylvania Hospital.[8] He was an executor of the estate of James Rush (1786–1869) and was instrumental in the construction of the Ridgway Library (part of theLibrary Company of Philadelphia).[7]
In 1855, he married Julia Williams Rush, the granddaughter ofBenjamin Rush, and together they had seven children.[9]
He was a member of theAmerican Philosophical Society, theFranklin Institute, theAcademy of Natural Sciences, and the Pennsylvania Society of Sons of the Revolution.[10]
He died on May 2, 1899, in Philadelphia and was interred atLaurel Hill Cemetery.[11]
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