"Reflections of Grand River, Iowa 1881-1981", p. 273

The George Rilea Family

The following is a letter or an account of the Civil War experience of Aaron T. Rilea.

1868--Civil War
Hopeville, Clarke County, Ia. I enlisted as a soldier in the U.S. service on the 5th day of Dec. 1861 at Leon, Decatur, Iowa under J. L. Young. I was wounded on the 14th day of May and was captured the 16th, 1862. I was with them one month--the rebs I mean. On the 16th of Oct. 1864 I was taken Kahalia prison, from there to Loten or Milan prison, from there to Andersonville and from there to the Federal Army which we found at Jacksonville, Florida, on the 27th of April 1865 and got home to my father's mansion the 3rd day of June 1865.
signed Aaron T. Rilea

Aaron T. Rilea was married to Hannah R. Chew on June 6, 1866. After their marriage they moved to Norton County, Kansas, later moving to Nebraska, where Aaron died. Hannah returned to the farm north of Grand River, Iowa, with 5 small children: Willis, Idell, Maggie, Hahn, and Jennie.

Willis Rilea married Esther Pennock in 1898, made his living farming and rearing their children near Grand River, later entering the ministry and moving to the state of Washington. (Friends and relatives of the family will recall the surprize(sic) package of three tiny babies blessing this home--(names)--on Sept. 18, 1912.) ........more on children.....

Idell married Marion Myers, who daughters are Rena (Mrs. Hammie) Young (deceased) and.....

Maggie married John Miller. There were no children of this union, Maggie dying at childbirth.

Jennie married Earl Homewood, spending their lives on a farm near Hopeville. ....children....

Hahn took Sylvia Mae Swabb of Murray as a bride on Nov. 19, 1902. They farmed 7 miles N. of Grand River. Their children were raised there: ........children....... They left this farm in 1932, moving to the Swabb farm (4 miles N. of Hopeville) later moving to Ottawa and operating a country store, 1936-1940. ....more children.....

If you wish to read more of this Family Biography please email Stacey Dietiker