Biographical Sketch of William W. Riley - Chariton County, Missouri WILLIAM W. RILEY. Among the business men of Salisbury, held in high esteem for their ability and integrity, and who have contributed very materially to the welfare of the city is the gentleman whose name heads this sketch. He was born August 14,1847, at Huntsville, Mo., his parents being John F. and Elizabeth (Patton) Riley, natives of Ind. and Tenn. After attending the district schools, our subject completed his education at the old Mt. Pleasant College, at Huntsville, Mo., at that time one of the most popular institutions of the state. Upon attaining a suitable age he chose the calling of contractor and builder as his life occupation and on October 1, 1866, he entered an apprenticeship under the well known mechanic, C. G. Anderson, of Huntsville, Mo. Serving a regular apprenticeship he branched out for himself, locating at Jacksonville, Mo. It was at this place that he met and became enamored with Miss Sarah J., daughter of James B. and America Herndon, with whom he was united in marriage, April 4, 1869. Mrs. Riley's parents were natives of Kentucky, but emigrated to Missouri at a very early day. Mr. and Mrs. Riley are the parents of six children, five of whom are now living, namely, Edgar N., Cella May, Lela A., Hardy M., and Wm. H. Edgar N. was married to Miss Maggie Morehead, of Whiteright, Tex., in which state he now resides, engaged as instructor of band music. Cella May was married to Clarence B., son of Judge J. B. Hyde of Salisbury, Mo., and now engaged in the drug business in Ladonia, Texas. The other's are yet single and at home. Desiring a larger field for the prosecution of his occupation our subject removed from Jacksonville to Huntsville where he remained and profitably worked at his profession until March 29, 1880, when he removed to Salisbury, Mo., accepting a position with the well known lumberman, T. G. Dulany with whom he remained for seven years. During that time Mr. Riley did not fail to keep himself thoroughly posted upon all the changes and improvements in modern architecture and since 1888 has been recognized as the leading contractor and builder of Chariton county having erected many of the finest buildings put up in the county. Being enterprising reliable and conscientious in everything he undertakes, he has secured the confidence of the public to a marked degree, a confidence which his proficiency and integrity have made him the just recipient. August 28, 1868, our subject connected himself with Randolph Lodge No. 23, I. 0. 0. F., of Huntsville, Mo., in which order he has been an influential and prominent worker, a number of times having been Grand Representative to the Grand Lodge of Missouri: also District Deputy. In 1882, he moved his membership to Salisbury Lodge, No. 236, of which he was elected Secretary, a position he yet holds, having been reelected five times. He is also D. D. G. Master, No. 95 and Representative to State Grand Lodge. He is a member of Huntsville Encampment No. 66, I. 0. 0. F. located at Huntsville, Mo., in which he is a P. C. P. and Past Representative, also a member of Salisbury Tent, No. 78, K. 0. T. M., of which he has been Record Keeper since its organization. Of this organization Mr. Riley is 1st M. of G. of the state of Missouri. Politically, Mr Riley is a staunch democrat and a strong advocate of his party's principles. Officially, he is a prominent and influential member of the City Council and an earnest worker for the interest of his city. Socially, Mr. Riley possesses a genial disposition and is an entertaining companion, always true to his convictions in what he considers right, regardless of the opinion of others. -------------------------------------------------------------------------- File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by Willard Smith USGENWEB NOTICE: In keeping with our policy of providing free genealogical information on the Internet, data may be freely used for personal research and by non-commercial entities, as long as this message remains on all copied material. These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by other organization or persons. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material for profit or any form of presentation, must obtain the written consent of the file submitter, or their legal representative, and contact the listed USGenWeb archivist with proof of this consent. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------