Dale County AlArchives Biographies.....Riley, John November 1 1870 - October 16 1935
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File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by:
George Beck gbeck@bellsouth.net November 1, 2004, 6:43 pm

Author: George M. Beck
John Edward Zinnamon Riley was born to George W. Riley (23 July 1833-14 Feb 
1892) and Lettie Brannon (12 March 1840 – 17 Dec 1899)  in Alabama on 1 Nov 
1870 and died in Ozark on 16 October 1935.  He was the 7th of twelve children. 
His name is generally referred to by his initials J.E.Z., and his family and 
friends often called him "Zen" which refers to Zinnamon or Zinnermon of which 
spelling I am not certain.  An article about J.E.Z. or Zen is written in the 
Sept 13, 1904 Ozark Tribune as follows:

"One of the most accommodating and clever, nice, fine and smooth fellows is 
pictured in the above cut [photo shown].  He keeps things about his office in a 
good round shape and has succeeded well in life.  He was born Nov. 1st, 1870  
to George W. and Lettie Riley near Echo-Dale county, Alabama.  He received what 
advantages he could get out of the schools of the country and after entering on 
the arena of life for himself he began to set about to educate himself and 
succeeded well, having graduated with high honors at Greensboro in this state.  
For several years he taught school and was quite a successful teacher and had 
charge of some of the fine schools of the country, and acquitted himself with 
honor as a teacher.  But his mind was always bent on law and just as soon as 
times would admit of it, why he was practicing law and he has done well all 
along.  Mr. Riley joined the Methodist church in early life and is one of the 
brightest masons in this part of the country.  He is also a Knight of Pythias.  
On the 3rd of December, 1903, he married that most handsome of women, Miss Ida 
M. Robertson, of Birmingham, and they are now dominciled in their delightful 
home on Daleville street.  A very charming couple and they have friends 
everywhere they are known.  For some time before his marriage he and his 
sisters kept house together, and Mr. Riley has done well his part in educating 
his three charming sisters, who were left in his charge when his father and 
mother died.  His faithfulness to them shows what a heart he has.  With all of 
this he has alway found a way to contribute for the various charities, churches 
and public enterprises of this county and town.  He is a great advocate of 
Ozark and her prosperity and says Ozark is good enough for him.  His practice 
has continually grown upon him and he now has a fine paying one and he is 
making money.  Mr. Riley is a stock holder in the bank and several other 
business enterprises in our city.  As a first rate careful and law abiding 
citizen, none pass him, and he is ever ready to pull for the highest 
citizenship.  Mr. Riley stands high as a prudent lawyer and his clients are 
among the very best people of the country.  His probate practice pays him well 
and he is a first rate office lawyer and people often seek his advice in his 
office.  Mr. Riley is also largely connected with the best insurance companies 
of the world and he does a fine business in that line and is also connected 
with one of the best loan companies of the country and is making fine loans and 
making good fees.  This young man, for sobriety and good character, has a fine 
reputation." 


The Southern Star Newspaper, October 23, 1935 reported his sudden death as 
follows:

"HUNDREDS PAY TRIBUTE TO PROMINENT CITIZEN
Ozark and Dale County Loses one of Its Most Useful Citizens

	Funeral service for Hon. J.E.Z. Riley who died early Wednesday were 
held Thursday morning, ten o'clock from the Methodist church.  Long before the 
hour of the funeral arrived sorrowing friends and relatives gathered at the 
church to pay the last sad tribute to one of the most beloved citizens of this 
section.
	Mr. Riley was stricken suddenly Saturday night, October 12th while 
returning home from a visit to Clayton.  His illness had scarcely become 
generally known before it was followed by the sad tidings of his untimely death.
	A native of this county, Mr. Riley had been for forty years one of the 
most constructive forces in Ozark and Dale County history.
	Following his graduation from Southern University, Greensboro, Mr. 
Riley read law in the offices of Borders & Carmichael.  As a young man he was 
admitted to the bar and until 1924 when he gave up the law practice he was 
recognized as one of the best lawyers in this section.
	Mr. Riley was a potent force in the business life of this section for 
years.  Having an unbounded faith in his county he spent a great part of his 
useful life in aiding its development.  He was at one time interested in a 
number of businesses that contributed to the happiness and prosperity of this 
section.
	In the political life of the community he manifested a keen interest 
during his lifetime but he never sought political honor.  He served Ozark as 
Mayor at one time and for several years was drafted by the community to serve 
as Councilman in order that Ozark's development might be aided by his talents 
and ability.  During these years Ozark was builded into one of the best cities 
in Southeast Ala.
	"Zen" Riley , as he was lovingly called by those who knew him, was not 
only a constructive force in the business life of the community, his best 
efforts were directed towards those things he loved most, his Church, Sunday 
School and his fellowman.  For thiry-five years he was a member of the Board of 
Stewards and Superintendent of the Methodist Sunday School for many years.  He 
was a leading spirit in all church activities.
	He aided young men and women in their efforts to secure an education 
and there are many in this county who owe their training and changes in life to 
his kindness and generosity.  He never refused to aid a worthy person or help a 
worthy cause.
	Beautiful tributes were paid to his memory by his pastor, Dr. P. S. 
Hudson and a former pastor, Rev. I. W. Chalker, of Panama City, Fla.
	Interment followed in the city cemetery with masonic honors.  Holman 
was in charge of arrangements.
	The deceased is survived by six sisters, Mrs. Melinda Hunt, Cottondale, 
Fla., Mrs. L. A. Howell and Mrs. W. S. Palmer, Midland City, Mrs. O. O. Odom 
and Mrs. Robert Chapman, Greenvillle, S. C. , and Mrs. Bertie Grace, Ozark.
	A good and useful man is gone, peace to his ashes."	


Additional Comments:
J.E.Z. Riley was the Mayor of Ozark in 1905.  Please include this under the 
photo of Dale County since already in that section is a subsection of Ozark 
Mayors with photos and bios.  J.E.Z. Riley was my g-grandmother's brother.  

Photo: http://www.usgwarchives.net/al/dale/photos/bios/gbs707riley.jpg

File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/al/dale/bios/gbs707riley.txt

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