J. W. Kiley Biography


	This biography appears on page 1854 in "History of South 
	Dakota" by Doane Robinson, Vol. II (1904) and was scanned, 
	OCRed and edited by Maurice Krueger, mkrueger@iw.net.

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	J. W. KILEY, of Meade county, South Dakota, was born in 
Middletown, Susquehanna county, Pennsylvania, and spent his early life 
on his father's farm. At the proper age he entered the public schools 
and so rapid was his advancement that he was soon able to pass the 
required examinations and obtain a teacher's license, and for some time 
thereafter he devoted the winter seasons to educational work. He 
continued farming and teaching in Pennsylvania until he went to Kansas, 
where he spent about one year on a large cattle ranch.

	In the spring of 1877 Mr. Kiley started for Dakota, with the 
Black Hills as an objective point, arriving in Deadwood the following 
June, and at once engaged in prospecting, to which he devoted his 
attention until he came to Sturgis and entered the employ of a rancher 
on Alkali creek. After spending one year thus he located land in the 
vicinity, but two years later left the place on account of scarcity of 
water and bought the right to the ranch about seven miles from Sturgis, 
on which he has since lived and achieved such marked success as a 
cattle raiser. Mr. Kiley moved to his present place in 1884, and at 
once inaugurated a system of improvements which in due season made it 
one of the finest and most valuable ranches on the creek. By judicious 
management he succeeded in getting a substantial start in the way of 
live stock, and by adding to his herds from time to time finally forged 
to the front as one of the leading cattle raisers in his part of the 
county, a reputation he still sustains. Mr. Kiley married Miss Mary 
Smith, of Indiana. In his political views Mr. Kiley is a pronounced 
Democrat, and since attaining his majority he has been a firm and 
active supporter of his party.