The Riley Family

George Washington Riley was born in Ohio 1844. There have been census documents that say he may have been born in Canada, but the Ohio information seems the most reliable at this time. His parents are still unknown, but on the 1880 Census, it says his father was born in Pennsylvania and his mother was born in Maryland. There is also a Jacob Riley (Born 1846) listed nearby whose parents are also from Pennsylvania and Maryland. These two may be siblings.

George Washington Riley married Lydia Mariah Danner in Pleasant Hills, Adams County, Indiana, 30 Sep 1869. They were married by Judge S.B.Merris. Marriage Book C, Page 255, Adams County, Indiana. The Civil War Pension records for George show they were married at Pleasant Hills, Indiana. Have also seen a wedding date of 21 Nov 1869.

George died 24 Jan 1887 Adams County, Indiana, at 42 years of age. 
EVENT TEXT: J.C. Calderwood of Willshire, Van Wert, Ohio has known the soldier for 25 years and that he was the family physician of George W. Riley, deceased, for twelve or fifteen years and treated him during last sickness and knew him intimately prior to his enlistment as a soldier and knew him to be a healthy, rugged fellow in every respect and free from any hereditary diathesis whatever and his parents were healthy constituted profile. I treated him for Epilepsy and saw him in several hard convulsions and finally saw him die in a fit January 24th 1887.

In verbal lore of George Washington Riley, it has been said that his death site was reported to be a hayfield.

George Washington Riley is interred in Blue Creek Township, Adams County, Indiana, Tricker Cemetery.  (See information from 1860 Census regarding the Tricker family.)

Any notes from Medical Files found in the Civil War Pension records are entered verbatim with terms and spellings used by doctors and witnesses.

Children of George Washington Riley and Lydia Mariah Danner
Name	Birth Date	Birth Place	Spouse	Death Date	Death Place
Aladdin Hedington Riley*	Circa 1867	Indiana	Flora J. Majors	After 1930	<Indiana>
John E. Riley	25 Feb 1871	Indiana		Nov 1878
Albert Brenton Riley	20 Apr 1872	Indiana	Clara Anna Belle Davis	15 Nov 1955	Blue Creek Township, Adams County, Indiana
James P. Riley	5 Jul 1873	Indiana	Sarah E. Durbin and Dora Hupp
William Curtis Riley	5 May 1874			18 Aug 1887	Willshire, Van Wert, Ohio
Anis (Annice) Victoria Riley	21 Aug 1877	Adams County, Indiana	Elisha Odin Merriman	10 Mar 1942	Monroe, Indiana
Hilinda A. Riley	22 Sep 1881
Rilla (Arvilla / Arilla) Riley	Circa 1882		Howard Parker

* Aladdin Hedington was the illegitimate son of Lydia Mariah Danner and Lemuel Hedington. Named in Ruth (Neptune) Danner's Will probated 28 May 1883. (Adams County Will Book B, pages 420-422, No. 310.) Changed his name from Aladdin Hedington to Aladdin Riley sometime between 1892 and 1900. 1979 History of Adams County. "Aladdin was truly a child that nobody wanted." 1870 Census 3 years old, living with George and Lydia. 1880 Census 13 years old, living with Ruth (Neptune) Danner. He is mentioned as residing in Muncie, Indiana in the obituary notice for Victoria Anis Riley Merriman March 1942.

Employment               1860
Although his occupation was unknown, George worked for Kelita Jacobs in Adams County, Indiana.
EVENT TEXT: 10 July 1885

Kelita Jacobs swears that he has personally been acquainted with George W. Riley, the applicant, who was a private of Company K, 89th Indiana Volunteer Infantry for more than 25 years. The the said George W. Riley was working for me at the time he enlisted in the service of the U.S. in August 1862 and had been for most of the time for two years before his enlistment. That I never knew of the applicant having fits or epilepsy before his enlistment. That I have known him continuously ever since his return from the service, that he has had a number of fits or attacks of epilepsy each year since his return, and that his health is now so bad and has been for more than five years last past, that he has been unable to do any manual labor of any kind whatsoever. That I have no interest in the prosecution of this claim. All of which is true so I truly believe Kelita Jacobs


Census 1860 - free       08/01/1860
George was listed as the head of a family on the 1860 Census in Blue Creek Township, Adams County, Indiana. 
EVENT TEXT: George was living with James Tricker, born England, age 72 and his wife Mrs. Sarah Tricker, born Illinois, age 70. He was listed as farm labor.

Head Age/Sex: 72/Male.  Details: Farmer. Individuals linked to this event include: James /Tricker/ (Head of Family); George Washington /Riley/ (household member); Sarah /Ward/ (household member).

James Tricker, farmer, born England
Sarah (Ward) Tricker, housewife, born Illinois
George Riley, farm labor, born Canada


Census 1870    
George was listed as the head of a family on the 1870 Census Blue Creek Township. Adams County, Indiana. 

Census 1880  
George was listed as the head of a family on the 1880 Census St. Mary's Township. 
Individuals linked to this event include: George Washington /Riley/ (Head of Family); Anis (Annice) Victoria /Riley/ (daughter); Albert Brenton /Riley/ (son); William Curtis /Riley/ (son); Lydia Mariah /Danner/ (wife).

EVENT TEXT: Also shown on the 1880 Census is Jacob Riley (Born 1836) residing in Blue Creek Township. Both George and Jacob list father born in Pennsylvania and mother born in Maryland. Probably a safe bet they are brothers.


Military service         08/15/1862
George served in the military in Decatur, Adams, Indiana, 15 Aug 1862. 
Branch: 89th Ind Volun Infantry, Co. K. 
Rank: Private. 
Individuals linked to this event include: George Washington /Riley/ (Military personnel); Capt. Edwin S. /Metzgers/ (Officer).


Military Muster Roll          08/18/1862
George was listed in a muster roll in Decatur, Adams, Indiana, 18 Aug 1862. 
Rank: Private. 

Military Active Duty          06/30/1863
George reported for active duty in Vicksburg, Mississippi, 30 Jun 1863. 
EVENT TEXT: Accompanied the Paymaster to Vicksburg from 30 Jun 1863 through August 1863.

Military Active Duty      07/05/1864
George reported for active duty in LaGrange, Tennessee, 5 Jul 1864. 
EVENT TEXT: On or about 5 Jul 1864, while in the line of duty and without fault or improper conduct on his part, at or near LaGrange, State of Tennessee, said soldier incurred a severe sunstroke while on a severe march and after that while in the service and up to when he mustered out July 19, 1865 at Mobile, Alabama, he George W. Riley was subject to epilepsy.

Sunstroke occurred on march between LaGrange, Tennessee and Tupelo, Mississippi.

On or about 5 July 1864 while on a march from LaGrange, Tennessee to Tupelo, Mississippi was sunstruck and fell unconscious. When he regained consciousness, Surgeon Porter was attending him, two enlisted men were also with him. He was not sent to Hospital, but about every week thereafter he had something like a fit in night times. He has been troubled with fits (epilepsy) ever since, which has grown so serious that he is not allowed to go away alone.


Military Release              07/19/1865
He was released from active duty in Mobile, Alabama, 19 Jul 1865. 
Branch: 89th Ind. Vol. Inf., Co. K. 
Rank: Private. 

Military Pension              02/16/1880
George applied for a military pension 16 Feb 1880. 
EVENT TEXT: Invalid pension filed.

Military Pension              02/08/1886
George applied for a military pension 8 Feb 1886. 
EVENT TEXT: Declared an Invalid. Sunstroke that lead to Seizures.

Illness                  08/20/1881
George was ill Van Wert County, Ohio, 20 Aug 1881. 
Cause: Sun Stroke. 

Individuals linked to this event include: George Washington /Riley/ (Patient); William /Smith, MD/ (doctor).

EVENT TEXT: Applicant Information
Height: 5 feet, 6 Inches. Weight: 150 pounds. Complexion: Light. Age: 37 years. Pulse: 78. Respiration: 24.

General health reasonably good. Sun stroke resulting in epileptic or falling fits which attacks applicant every one, two, three or four weeks without any warning or premonitory symptoms. Applicant falling down, turning purple or blue in the face, feet and extremities becoming cold, frothing at the mouth with severe convulsions or spasms of whole system. Which symptoms continue from ten to twenty minutes. Then in thirty to sixty minutes an other paroscism  sandometimes as high as seven paroscism before subsiding leaving applicant disabled for several days at a time. Applicant is obliged to have some person with him when out from home all the time.

William Smith, M.D.
Examining Surgeon

Illness                  11/22/1882
George was ill in Van Wert, Ohio, 22 Nov 1882. 
Cause: Sun Stroke. 

Individuals linked to this event include: George Washington /Riley/ (Patient); William /Smith/ (doctor).

EVENT TEXT: Sun stroke resulting in falling fits. Patient age: 38. 125 pounds. 5-foot-6-inches in heights. Pulse 92. Respiration 32. Temperature 98.

General health not good. Applicant is and has been for about or near one year suffering from a species of nervous rheumatism affecting more particularly small of back and spine extending to left side in region of heart and under left shoulder blade, also to right hip joint and leg right hip and joint badly swollen and painful. Very difficult for applicant to use the right leg in walking. Falls frequent and spasms adic. or irregular. Applicant is very nervous and trembly, especially when attempting to move or exert himself in any way. His physical condition is decidedly worse than it was the 20th day of August 1881 when I examined him before. I have not seen him during any of his fits of epilepsy or falling fits.

William Smith, M.D.


Illness                  07/15/1886
George was ill in Lima, Allen, Ohio, 15 Jul 1886. 
Individuals linked to this event include: George Washington /Riley/ (Patient); /Bacera/ (doctor).

EVENT TEXT: Patient Information. Pulse: 120. Respiration: 28. Temperature: 100-2/5. Height: 5 feet. Weight: 123. Age 42 years.

That he was sun struck on July 1863 and this same night has a spasm and has had spasms every month since, hour spells of time, do not know how many coming a spell. Are generally in bed a week. I feel as if I have been pinched. Every muscle is sore. Have a bad night. Hip caused by the jerking in the fits. Last winter had some bed boils or right hips along with shin. My right ankle has been stiff since then. My head is all out-of-fix. I have no memory. Have a dull headache all the time and have had ever since I was sun struck in July 1863. My spells are very nervous. I have not been able to work at anything for this last five or six years or so.

Body poorly ... (possibly "nomiabea") and distorted by infirmity of his right side, muscles small and soft. Skin clear, but blotches. The thoracic and abdominal organs are of a normal healthy condition. Tongue slightly evutide. Pulse and temperature not normal. Claimant is at present laboring under a mild malarial attack. Claimant is nervous and has the imbicile look of an Epileptic and is mentally weak. The spinal column is bent forwards in the whole dorsal region causing the head and body to stoop. The muscles of back are atrophia to a degree. The right hip joint is prominent from atrophy of muscles and there is a small Limphoma aurlopea near muscle of gluteus maximus. The muscles of right thigh and leg are atrophia. There are some cicatries of variable sizes from 3/4 of inch to 2-1/2 inches in length on the anterior-lateral aspect of right leg. All of them occupy area  and adherent to muscle and bone beneath. The right ankle is (word looks like "mania") stiff by the muscular adhesions. Claimant right lower extremity is of little or no use to him.

Medical Statistics:

George weighed 125 pounds was 5-feet 4-inches tall  had Light hair, Fair skin and Blue eyes.



Aladdin (Hedington) Riley was born in Indiana in 1867. Aladdin Hedington was the illegitimate son of Lydia Mariah Danner and Lemuel Hedington. Named in Ruth (Neptune) Danner's Will probated 28 May 1883. (Adams County Will Book B, pages 420-422, No. 310.) Changed his name from Aladdin Hedington to Aladdin Riley sometime between 1892 and 1900. 1979 History of Adams County. "Aladdin was truly a child that nobody wanted." 1870 Census 3 years old, living with George and Lydia. 1880 Census 13 years old, living with Ruth (Neptune) Danner.

His birth parents are identified as: Lemuel Hedington and Lydia Mariah Danner. Aladdin married (17 September 1891, Adams County Indiana, Book F. Page 329) one time to Flora J. Majors, (1869-1949) the daughter of Thomas Majors and Nancy M. Williams. Aladdin and Flora J. (Majors) Riley had one child, Opal Riley, born 4 June 1892. Have found information that she died in 1894 in Indiana, not enough good information to confirm that information.

Aladdin and Flora J. (Majors) Riley were divorced between the 1920 Census and 1930 Census. His census information shows divorced and hers shows widowed. An interesting social stigma of the time.

CENSUS INFORMATION:

Census 1920              01/09/1920

Aladdin Riley was listed as the head of a family on the 1920 Census in Winchester, Randolph, Indiana. Head Age/Sex: 52/Male. Individuals linked to this event include: Aladdin /(Hedington) Riley/ (Head of Family); Flora J. /Majors/ (wife). EVENT TEXT: This Census was taken in White River Township, Winchester, Randolph, Indiana. He was listed as an Agent and the business was Sewing Machines.

Census 1930                  1930

1930 Census listed Aladdin Riley as head of household in Muncie, Delaware, Indiana, 1930. Census year: 1930. Census type: Federal. EVENT TEXT: Worked in a Barber Shop as a Barber.

Flora J. (Majors) Riley is listed in the 1930 Census living in Winchester, Randolph, Indiana. Living on Stone Street. Listed as a Seamstress and Dressmaker.


Civil War Pension records indicate that he died in November 1878. No other information available on him at this time.


Albert Brenton Riley was born in Salem, Blue Creek, Indiana 20 Apr 1872. He is the son of George Washington Riley and Lydia Mariah Danner. Albert Brenton Riley married on 21 November 1896 to Clara Anna Belle Davis (1872-1934) the daughter of Civil War Veteran Robert Alexander Davis and Frances Elizabeth Bryan. Albert and Clara Anna Belle (Davis) Riley were married by: J.W. Merriman, Justice of the Peace. Book G, Page 246, Adams County Marriages.

BIOGRAPHICAL TEXT: Albert Brenton Riley and Clara Anna Belle Davis married on 21 November 1896. They reared their large family of twelve children in Blue Creek Township. One child died in infancy.

Albert Brenton Riley retired in 1940. He died in Blue Creek Township, Adams, Indiana 15 Nov 1955 at 83 years old. Clara Anna Belle Davis died 26 June 1934 in Blue Creek Township, Adams, Indiana at 62 years old.

Children of Albert Brenton Riley and Clara Anna Belle Davis
Name	Birth Date	Birth Place	Spouse	Death Date	Death Place
Vernon Lee Riley	3 Sep 1897	Indiana	Aldine Stauffer	Mar 1971	Monroe, Adams, Indiana
Nolan Dee Riley	19 Jul 1899	Indiana	Nellie Richard	May 1972	Van Wert, Van Wert, Ohio
Robert Reed Riley	15 Oct 1900	Indiana	Esther Mauler
Baby Riley	7 Jun 1902	Indiana
Dale Raymond Riley	17 Jan 1903	Indiana	Alma Andrews	Jun 1978	Decatur, Adams, Indiana
True Burtus Riley	31 Oct 1904	Blue Creek, Adams, Indiana	Lulu Faye Demler	20 Jan 1959	Fort Wayne, Allen, Indiana
Olive Ruth Riley	5 Oct 1906	Indiana	William Brown
Merle William Riley	1 Feb 1908	Blue Creek, Adams, Indiana	Ida Wilma Girod	Feb 1987	Monroe, Adams, Indiana
Alton Jewel Riley	7 Mar 1909	Blue Creek, Adams, Indiana	Veronia Carrier	Jan 1980	Fort Wayne, Allen, Indiana
Ivan Wilmer Riley	20 Nov 1911	Blue Creek, Adams, Indiana	Juanita Evans	Mar 1978	Decatur, Adams, Indiana
Wilda Pauline Riley	14 Oct 1913	Blue Creek, Adams, Indiana	Glen Rupert	26 Sep 1988
Norris Ray Riley	1 Nov 1915	Blue Creek, Adams, Indiana	Ruth Thatcher	02 Jun 1988	Van Wert County, Ohio

CENSUS INFORMATION

Census 1900              07/01/1900
Albert was listed as the head of a family on the 1900 Census Blue Creek Township, Adams, Indiana. Head Age/Sex: 28/Male.
Individuals linked to this event include: Albert Brenton /Riley/ (Head of Family); Nolan Dee /Riley/ (son); Vernon Lee /Riley/ (son); Clara Anna Belle /Davis/ (wife).

Census 1920              01/20/1920
Albert was listed as the head of a family on the 1920 Census in Blue Creek Township, Adams, Indiana.  Head Age/Sex: 47/Male. Details: Teamster. 

Individuals linked to this event include: Albert Brenton /Riley/ (Head of Family); Vernon Lee /Riley/ (son); Nolan Dee /Riley/ (son); Robert Reed /Riley/ (son); True Burtus /Riley/ (son); Clara Anna Belle /Davis/ (wife); Olive Ruth /Riley/ (daughter); Dale Raymond /Riley/ (son); Wilda Pauline /Riley/ (daughter); Alton Jewel /Riley/ (son); Ivan Wilmer /Riley/ (son); Norris Ray /Riley/ (daughter).

Census 1930               04/22/1930
Albert was listed as head of household in Blue Creek Township, Adams County, Indiana, 22 Apr 1930. Shows father born Ohio, mother born Indiana.

Individuals linked to this event include: Albert Brenton /Riley/ (Head of Household); Clara Anna Belle /Davis/ (resident); Merle William /Riley/ (resident); Alton Jewel /Riley/ (resident); Ivan Wilmer /Riley/ (resident); Wilda Pauline /Riley/ (resident); Norris Ray /Riley/ (resident).

EVENT TEXT: He did Odd Jobs as his occupation.

FROM 1979 HISTORY of ADAMS COUNTY
Volume II. Page 220.1979 History of Adams County Indiana, Volume I, Various pages.
Written by Norris Riley

In the year of 1872 in a log house, one mile north and one mile west of Salem in Blue Creek Township lived a family by the name of Riley, George and Lydia (Danner) Riley. They were the parents of four boys and two girls. One of the boys, Albert Brenton Riley, grew up to be a carpenter by trade. Liking his work, he enlarged his business and added barn raising and house moving, traveling many miles until his retirement in 1940. It is thought he raised nearly four hundred barns.

On November 21, 1896 he married Clara B. Davis and to this union was born 12 children. One child died at infancy and they reared nine boys and two girls.

Vernon Lee Riley became a minister of the Friends Church. He married Aldine Stauffer and they had five children.

Nolan Lee Riley worked at the Dudlo factory in Fort Wayne and General Electric. He married Nellie Richey and they had two children.

Robert Reed Riley worked at Inca in Fort Wayne and also farmed. He married Esther Mauhler and they had five children.

Dale Raymond Riley worked at Essex Wire in Fort Wayne, farmed and ran a grocery store. He married Alma Andrews.

True Burtus Riley worked for Sears Roebuck and spent some time in Canada. He married Fay Demler and they had three children.

Olive Ruth Riley worked at General Electric, was a housewife and married William Brown.

William Merle Riley worked with his father and was later employed at General Electric. He married Ida Girod and they had three children.

Alton Jewel Riley worked at Dudlo and the Inca in Fort Wayne. He married Veronia Carrier.

Ivan Wilmer Riley worked with his father moving buildings. He was called to the Army Service for three years after which he worked at General Electric. He married Juanita Evans.

Wilda Pauline Riley is a housewife, married to Glen Rupert and they were the parents of six children.

Norris Ray Riley worked with his father and at the Decatur Casting Company. He also farmed and he worked at Monroe Grain and Supply for 30 years. He married Ruth Thatcher and they had one child.

As of this writing, three boys: Alton, Merle and Norris, and two girls, Ruth and Wilda are living.

James P. Riley was born 5 Jul 1873. He is the son of George Washington Riley and Lydia Mariah Danner. He married two times. First on 29 March 1897 in Adams County, Indiana to Sarah E. Durbin, and second marriage to Dora Hupp.

Children of James P. Riley and Sarah E. Durbin
Name	Birth Date	Birth Place	Spouse	Death Date	Death Place
Versal Albert Riley	22 Aug 1902	Willshire, Van Wert, Ohio	Rosebud Dyer	07 Apr 1969	Los Angeles, Kern, California
Esmarilla Riley	28 Aug 1906	Adams County, Indiana	Mr. Stove	03 Feb 1994	Granville, Licking, Ohio
Children of James P. Riley and Dora Hupp
Eugene S. Riley	24 Sep 1909	Adams County, Indiana	Joan M. Grant	31 Aug 2004	Willshire, Van Wert, Ohio
Herbert Riley	1898	Indiana		Before 31 Aug 2004

William Curtis Riley was born in Indiana 5 May 1874. George Washington Riley's Civil War Pension file shows he died 18 Aug 1887.


Anis (Annice) Victoria Riley was born Adams County, Indiana 21 Aug 1877. She is the daughter of George Washington Riley and Lydia Mariah Danner. She married one time to William Pinckney Merriman on 6 March 1898 in Adams County, Indiana. Anis died 10 March 1942 at 64 years old.

Children of Anis (Annice) Victoria Riley and William Pinckney Merriman
Name	Birth Date	Birth Place	Spouse	Death Date	Death Place
Don Leo Merriman	16 Aug 1898			23 Sep 1898
Russell Dwight Merriman	11 Aug 1899		Nora Feasel	01 May 1970	Lima, Allen, Ohio
Omer Howard Merriman	17 Dec 1900		Mary B. ?	18 Dec 1995	Decatur, Adams, Indiana
Elisha Odin Merriman	26 Apr 1903		Lois E. Book	18 Aug 1992	Decatur, Adams, Indiana
Rowena Beryl Merriman	20 Feb 1906		Lowell J. Smith	15 Oct 1995
Austin Riley Merriman	27 Oct 1912	Indiana

CENSUS INFORMATION
1930 Census                   04/19/1930

Anis is listed as head of household Blue Creek Township, Adams, Indiana, 19 Apr 1930. 

Individuals linked to this event include: Anis (Annice) Victoria /Riley/ (Head of Household); Omer H. /Merriman/ (resident); Mrs. Mary B. /Merriman/ (resident); Austin R. /Merriman/ (resident).

EVENT TEXT: Owned her home. Son, Omer H. Merriman shown as a renter. Shows her as a Widow, but a man with the same name as her husband is listed in Missouri.




The only information on Hilinda Riley comes from George Washington Riley's Civil War Pension file. Shows she was born 22 September 1881. There is a high likelihood that Hilinda A. Riley and Arilla "Rilla" Riley are one in the same. If she is the same individual, she also likely married Jospeh Krick after being widowed in 1920.


Rilla Riley was born in Indiana Circa 1882. She is the daughter of George Washington Riley and Lydia Mariah Danner. She married one time to Howard Parker on 12 November 1905 in Adams County, Indiana.

Children of Rilla Riley and Howard Parker
Name	Birth Date	Birth Place	Spouse	Death Date	Death Place
Leah Parker	Circa 1909	Indiana