LAWRENCE D. RILEY

RILEY, ARGABRIGHT, DOWNING

Posted By: Sharon R. Becker (email)
Date: 11/17/2008 at 17:30:34

LAWRENCE D. RILEY

Biographical and Historical Record of Ringgold and Decatur Counties, Iowa
Lewis Publishing Company, 1887. p. 314.

"LAWRENCE D. RILEY, section 23, Riley Township, resides on the pioneer homestead located by his brother Robert H. in 1853. He has been a resident of the township since 1856, and there are few men now living in the county who were here when he came. He was born in Marion County, Ohio, May 13, 1835, a son of William and Hannah Riley. He was reared on a farm, but when sixteen years of age began to learn the blacksmith's trade. The month of his majority he came to Iowa, his brother, Robert, and his sisters, Nancy and Patience, being residents of Ringgold County. He bought 120 acres of land, which is a part of his present farm, but did not settle down to battle with the realities of life till after the war. In March, 1862, he went to Kansas, and enlisted in Company H, Fifth Kansas Cavalry. His service was all west of the Mississippi River, in Missouri and Arkansas. July 4, 1863, he was in the battle at Helena, and in October, 1863, at Pine Bluff. In March, 1864, while scouting on the Saline River, near Mount Elba, he was taken prisoner and was confined ten months and twenty-five days in the stockade at Tyler, Texas. He at one time made his escape, but was taken again with bloodhounds. In February, 1865, he was paroled, and in April, 1865, was honorably discharged at Leavenworth, Kansas. He then returned to Ringgold County, and November 8, 1865, was married in Wapello County, Iowa, to Miss Julia Ann Argabright, a native of Mahaska County, Iowa, born July 20, 1847, a daughter of George and Cassandra (Downing) Argabright. After his marriage Mr. Riley commenced housekeeping on his land in Ringgold County, having bought the homestead of his brother, Robert. He now owns 240 acres of fine land, the most of which is under cultivation, and his building improvements are comfortable and commodious. Mr. Riley has been a prominent man in his township, and has held every office in the gift of the people except justice of the peace and constable. He is now, for the third time, a member of the Board of Supervisors of Ringgold County. In politics he affiliates with the Republican party. He and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal church. They have had eight children, but six are living -- George W., David A., Hannah C., John W., Rebecca E. and Elsie M. Twin sons, Alfred and Albert, died in infancy. Mrs. Riley's father was born in Ross County, Ohio, January 31, 1812, and her mother was a native of Tippecanoe County, Indiana. The latter died in Wapello County, Iowa, in 1860, and the father now lives with Mrs. Riley."

Submitted to the Ringgold County IAGenWeb Project by Christy Jay, email: Jaygenie@aol.com