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Below is a family biography included in the Biographical Annals of Cumberland County, Pennsylvania published in 1905 by The Genealogical Publishing Company.  These biographies are valuable for genealogy research in discovering missing ancestors or filling in the details of a family tree. Family biographies often include far more information than can be found in a census record or obituary.  Details will vary with each biography but will often include the date and place of birth, parent names including mothers' maiden name, name of wife including maiden name, her parents' names, name of children (including spouses if married), former places of residence, occupation details, military service, church and social organization affiliations, and more.  There are often ancestry details included that cannot be found in any other type of genealogical record.

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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 conversant with the goods handled, and both are pleasant, gentlemen, 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. He is 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.

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This family biography is one of numerous biographies included in the Biographical Annals of Cumberland County, Pennsylvania published in 1905 by The Genealogical Publishing Company. 

View additional Cumberland County, Pennsylvania family biographies here: Cumberland County, Pennsylvania Biographies

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