Samuel Baird Riesen was born June 3, 1842, in Kent, England. he did not immigrate to the U.S. until 1869 and brought his wife and son, Samuel W. Risien. They lived in Michigan for awhile, but eventually settled and lived in Groesbeck, Texas.
An article in the April 20, 1912, Dallas Morning News said the couple had made no fewer than 15 trips to Europe.
The 1910 census had them renting a home in Galveston and listed him as a "hotel proprietor." In 1911, the couple returned to England for an extended stay and returning they booked Third Class steerage on the Titanic.
Before sailing, he sent a postcard to his son: "About the time you get this we will be leaving for N. York. We expect to sail in the new ship "Titanic" largest in the world and her trip (45,000 tons) two more papers I think will all I can send. We shall sail from Southampton in April 10th that is if they can get coal enough to go on, it is getting very scarce and dear. Both well, Papa."
There is no doubt that he was on the Titanic and was not one of the survivors, but was he on the CSS Alabama? The information in the Confederate Veteran Magazine is the only source that says he was. He definitely was the ship's engineers as all of the ship's officers are well known. Perhaps he was a crew member. Plus, many of the Alabama's crew used aliases.
Only History Knows. --Old B-R'er
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