Fred J. Riley Biography


	This biography appears on pages 1640-1641 in "History of South 
	Dakota" by Doane Robinson, Vol. II (1904) and was scanned, 
	OCRed and edited by Maurice Krueger, mkrueger@iw.net.

	This file may be freely copied by individuals and non-profit 
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	A photo of Fred J. Riley faces page 1640.


	FRED J. RILEY, of Doland, was born on April 28, 1867, three miles 
west from Waunakee, Dane county, Wisconsin, and is the son of James and 
Euphemia E. (Ford) Riley. The father was a native of Runcorn, Cheshire, 
England, and came to America when fourteen years of age in company with 
an uncle who settled in Dane county, Wisconsin. He was for many years 
engaged in merchandising at Kingsley's Corners arcl later at Waunakee, 
where he died in 1884 at the age of fifty-four years. 

	The mother of the subject was a native of Dunfirmland, Scotland, 
and came with her parents to America when seven years of age, the family 
locating at Fordville, Dane county, Wisconsin, which locality received 
its name from the family. Her death occurred May 30, 1897. The parents 
were married in Dane county and to them were born two sons and six 
daughters, as follows: Mary married William Davidson, now residing at 
Campbell, Minnesota; Alice married dames Lester, of Dane county, 
Wisconsin, now residing at Kendallville, Iowa; Nettie died at the age of 
eighteen years; Amelia died at the age of twenty-one years; William T. 
Riley, residing at Waunakee, Wisconsin, where he is working in the 
interest of the subject; Fred J., the subject; Laura married Robert 
Hanson, and is residing at Doland, South Dakota; Rosa died at the age of 
fourteen years. 

	Fred J. Riley received his educational training in the public 
schools of his native county, following which he learned telegraphy. In 
1889 he came to South Dakota and took a position as telegraph operator 
and agent for the Chicago & Northwestern Railroad Company at Volin, near 
Yankton. Six months later Volin was destroyed by a prairie fire, 
including the railroad buildings, Mr. Riley himself having a narrow 
escape from the flames. Following this he spent nine months at 
Centerville, Turner county, as operator on the same railroad, and then 
was stationed at Raymond, Clark county, where he was agent and operator 
for a period of three years. The great strike of the telegraphers 
occurred in 1903, and Mr. Riley went out with his fellow operators all 
over the country. Previous to this, however, he had become interested in 
the sheep business in this state, but he lost all of his investments in 
that line during the panic of 1893, and like many other men, he left 
this state, and returned to Wisconsin, where he engaged in the 
confectionery business at Madison, but he was not contented to remain 
long in that business; in fact his mind was on South Dakota and 
accordingly in 1895 he returned to this state with the determination to 
make a strenuous effort - to regain what he had previously lost. Upon 
returning to South Dakota Mr. Riley again entered the employ of the 
Chicago & Northwestern Railway Company, this time as agent at Wolsey, 
Beadle county. From Wolsey he was sent to various points on the 
railroad, including Brookings, where he spent three months, and from 
that city, he was sent to Tyler, Minnesota, where he was agent for about 
two years. In 1898 he was promoted by the company and sent to Doland, 
where he had charge of the station until July 8, 1901, when he resigned 
his position to engage in the real-estate business at Doland, leaving 
the railroad company in good standing, his services having been highly 
appreciated by the company, as was testified by their offering him a 
position should he desire to re-enter their service in the future. While 
Mr. Riley's railroad career was a success, he having always attended to 
and discharged his duties with ability, it is as a real-estate and land 
dealer that he has made his mark and demonstrated his ability as a man 
of affairs. He began his real-estate dealings in a modest way, opening a 
small office in Doland. His capital was limited likewise his experience 
in land matters, and during the first six months, which was the last 
half of his first year, his transactions were also limited, but 
beginning with January, 1902, he began to do a "land-office business" 
and during that month he sold thirteen quarters of-land and during the 
year he sold one hundred and two quarters. His business has continued to 
increase, and from the beginning of 1902 he has sold more land than any 
other land dealer in this part of Spink county. 

	By judicious investments, progressive ideas and methods, and 
untiring energy, coupled with absolute reliability and straightforward 
dealings, Mr. Riley has built up a business of large dimensions and on 
his books can always be found most desirable investments. He now owns 
twelve quarter sections of valuable farming land in Spink county, a fine 
farm of one hundred and fifty acres in Lyon county, Iowa, also a fine 
modern residence and other properties in Doland. Mr. Riley is a 
thorough-going business man, and possesses all the characteristics 
necessary to a successful career. He is quick to observe an opportunity, 
and just as quick to seize it, having the happy faculty of seeming to do 
the right thing at the right time. He has a pleasing personality, is 
courteous and affable, and his manner is such as to gain the confidence 
and respect of all with whom he comes in contact. All in all, Mr. Riley 
is a typical South Dakotan, with all that term implies. 

	August 24, 1896, at Alpena, South Dakota, Mr. Riley was married to 
Frances H., the daughter of Charles M. and Lydia (Stevens) Yegge, 
pioneers of Jerauld county, South Dakota, they having moved there from 
Iowa on the first train to run into that country from the south on the 
Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railway. Mrs. Riley was born in Iowa. To 
Mr. and Mrs. Riley one son, Fred Burl, and one daughter, Zura Fern, have 
been born.