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 [(MOORE)] 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.

NOTE: After Love (VEZEY) RILEY died, William RILEY married second to Hannah, the daughter of Benjamin and Rebecca MOORE. Hannah (MOORE) RILEY died at the age of 40 years and 17 days on October 2, 1844.

Lawrence D. RILEY was a half-brother of Robert H. RILEY.The RILEYS later moved to Oberlin, Decatur County, Kansas by wagon train. There, Chief Dull Knife and approximately 800 to 900 Cheyenne escaped from their reservation in Oklahoma and passed through the area, attempting to make their way north to their ancestral lands, killing over 30 of the settlers along the way. This incident was portrayed in John FORD's film Cheyenne Autumn.

IN MEMORIAM

 Lawrence D. RILEY, 88 years old, died at his home west of Britton [Oklahoma], Tuesday morning [January 16, 1923]. He is survived by four sons, C. W., D. A., and Roy RILEY, of Britton and J. W. RILEY of Bristow, Okla.; three daughters, Mrs. C. L. BLACKBURN of Oklahoma City, Mrs. A. C. ROARK of Britton, and Mrs. T. W. STEPHENS of Marlow, Okla.

Funeral services will be held at the Methodist church in Britton, Wednesday afternoon at 3 o'clock. Burial will be in the Britton cemetery.

SOURCES:
Biography & Historical Record of Ringgold County, Iowa, p. 314, 1887.

WPA Graves Survey

Transcriptions and note by Sharon R. Becker, January of 2009; updated May of 2010

Biographical Sketches Pages Index: A - F,   G - L,   M - R,  S - Z

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