He received a private school education but quit when he was 14 years old to work in a textile mill.

In 1823, Riddle sailed to Philadelphia, United States and began working at a cotton-mill in the Manayunk section of town.

[1] In 1827, Riddle went into business for himself by renting a mill in Springdale, Pennsylvania with 480 mule spindles and 10 employees.

[2] In 1830, Samuel Riddle along with his brother James moved operations to the Parkmount Mill on Chester Creek in Aston, Pennsylvania.

Riddle died on February 19, 1888[8] and is interred at Middletown Presbyterian Church Cemetery in Elwyn, Pennsylvania.