BIO: J. CLAYTON RILEY, Cumberland County, Pennsylvania
   
  Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by Joe Patterson
  OCRed by Judy Banja

  Copyright 2004.  All rights reserved.
  http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm
  http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/cumberland/
  _____________________________________________________________

  >From Biographical Annals of Cumberland County, Pennsylvania,
  Chicago: The Genealogical Publishing Co., 1905, pages 245-246
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  NOTE: Use this web address to access other bios:
  http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/cumberland/zeamer/

  
    J. CLAYTON RILEY, of the firm of Morris & Riley, tin and stove merchants,
  Carlisle, is well-known throughout the county, where he has made his home
  since his return from the Civil war, where he made a most honorable record as
  a patriotic soldier of his country. He was born near Chambersburg, Franklin
  Co., Pa., Sept. 5, 1845, a descendant of the sturdy stock of North of Ireland
  Presbyterians.
    
    John Riley, father of J. Clayton, was born in Pennsylvania, but was reared
  partly in Oldtown, Md., with his grandfather Riley, who attained the
  remarkable age of one hundred and four years, and died at Oldtown. He had
  been a soldier in the war of 1812. John Riley in early life followed farming,
  but his last years were spent as a hotel keeper in Hagerstown, Md., where he
  died at the age of seventy-four. He married Sarah Stone, a native of New
  Jersey, who bore him nine children, and who died in Hagerstown, Md., aged
  sixty-eight years.
  
    The early training of J. Clayton Riley was in the line of farm work. His
  education was all acquired in the common schools of Franklin county, and he
  was early placed under the instruction of Jacob B. Miller to learn the
  tinner's trade. In this he succeeded admirably, and long before most boys of
  today would think of leaving the school room he had mastered the trade that
  was to be his life work. Before he was eighteen years of age the fires of
  patriotism had burned in him with unquenchable flame, and he ran away from
  home to enlist in the Union army. In August, 1864, he became a private in
  Company G, 8th Pa. Vet. Vol. Cav., under Capt. John S. Howard, who was killed
  at Dinwiddie Court House, in the campaign in front of Petersburg. In that
  battle, March 5, 1865, Company G entered with thirty-two men, and after the
  fight and subsequent siege lasting until April 9th following, the Company was
  able to show six privates and two sergeants at roll call. Lieut. Col. Corry
  was in command of the regiment, Col. Hughey at that time being a prisoner of
  war. Among the battles and skirmishes in which Mr. Riley participated with
  his company may be mentioned Black Swamp or Jerusalem Plank Road (his first
  fight), Wyatt House, 1st Hatcher's Run, Dinwiddie Court House, 2d Hatcher's
  Run, 2d Dinwiddie Court House, Five Forks, Sailor's Creek, Amelia Springs,
  Farmville, and the surrender of Lee at Appomattox Court House. After the
  close of war the regiment was discharged at Lynchburg, Va., June 17, 1865.
  The men were paid off in Richmond, and while waiting for their pay, they
  boarded at Libby Prison. During the time he was in the army, the Rebels had
  attacked Chambersburg, Pa., and had burned his parents' home. They moved to
  Carlisle then, and there the soldier-son joined them.
    
    Mr. Riley at once sought work at his trade, finding employment with
  Rhinesmith & Rupp, and later with G. W. Rhinesmith, remaining with the latter
  for twenty-five years. Having by this time acquired sufficient capital to
  enter the business world for himself, he in partnership with Peter W. Morris,
  under the firm name of Morris & Riley, started a tin and stove business, in
  which they have met with pronounced success. The business is conducted on the
  lines of strict integrity and unfailing promptness, and easily ranks as one of
  the most important in its line in the city. The proprietors are thorough
  business men, fully
    
    246  CUMBERLAND COUNTY.
    
  conversant with the goods handled, and both are pleasant, genial men, with
  whom it is a pleasure to do business.
    
    Mr. Riley is, like his parents before him, a member of the Reformed Church,
  and is active in all the good work undertaken by his Church. Fraternally, he
  belongs to Post No. 201, G. A. R., and to Lodge No. 56, K. of P. His
  political faith is that of the party of Lincoln, and he is one of its stanch
  supporters.
    
    In Carlisle, in 1869, Mr. Riley was united in marriage with Ellen H.
  Harris, who was born in that city, daughter of Robert and Ellen (Cornman)
  Harris, the former now deceased, but the latter still living, having attained
  to more than four score years. Mrs. Riley died April 21, 1900, in the faith
  of the Reformed Church. Six children blessed their union: Josephine Clare,
  who married William Harper, and lives near Pittsburg; Morris T., who lives
  near Pittsburg; Mollie E., wife of William G. Mahon, of Carlisle; and John
  C., Nora L. and Sarah Kathleen, all at home.