A. S. WILEY, stock-dealer and agriculturist, section 7, Lott's Creek Township, is a native of Guilford County, North Carolina, where he was born January 10, 1849 (sic), son of Abner and Jane WILEY. When he was two years of age his parents removed to Hendricks County, Indiana, where they resided until 1840, and then moved to what was then the "Far West," beyond the Mississippi, the Territory of Iowa, locating in Jefferson County. He was reared on a farm and received his education in the pioneer schools of that day.

In the spring of 1855 he came to Ringgold County, and settled upon his present farm, entering 240 acres of Government land. His first dwelling was a log cabin, 12 x 14 feet. He has improved his farm as his means would permit, until the WILEY farm is known as one of the best in the county. He now has 606 acres in a good state of cultivation and well improved. He has a fine story-and-a-half residence, surrounded with shade trees, an orchard of two acres, a large native grove of about ten acres, a large barn, 30 x 60 feet, with basement for stock, feed lots, stock scales, and all the convenience for handling and keeping stock, in which he is extensively engaged.

He stall-fed the first cattle that were fed in Ringgold County, and in February, 1857, drove them to Council Bluffs and sold them for about 3 cents per pound.

He was married in April, 1853, to Miss Elizabeth Jane STEWART, a native of Virginia. They have six children living - Oscar, Frank, Aleck, William, Hattie and Jennie.

Mr. WILEY is a member of the Masonic fraternity, Garnet Lodge, No. 416, Caledonia. Politically he is a Democrat. Postoffice, Mount Ayr.

NOTE: Abner WILEY was born January 5, 1790, and died at age 89 years on March 10, 1879. Alexander S. WILEY was born February 10, 1829, and died September 24, 1895. Elizabeth Jane (STEWART) WILEY was born August 25, 1831, and died February 11, 1920. Alexander and Elizabeth were interred at Oakdale Cemetery, as were Alexander's father Abner WILEY and their son Alexander M. WILEY, born October 16, 1863, and died January 5, 1922.

SOURCES:
Biography & Historical Record of Ringgold County, Iowa, Pp. 313-14, 1887.

WPA Graves Survey

Transcription and note by Sharon R. Becker, January of 2009

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