My Genealogy Hound

THOMAS JEFFERSON RILE, one of the best known citizens of Whitpain township, resides on the Skippack road between Centre Square and Blue Bell. He is the son of Thomas Rile, who was a well known farmer of that vicinity, He married Miss Fisher, daughter of Jacob Fisher, a prominent auctioneer, who was at one time a Democratic candidate for sheriff, but was not elected owing to a division in the party.

Mr. Rile was reared on the farm, acquiring his education in the schools of the vicinity. On reaching manhood he engaged with his uncle, Samuel D. Shearer, of Blue Bell, who married another daughter of Jacob Fisher, in the butchering business. He remained with him for a number of years, but has long been engaged in that occupation on his own account, having been very successful in it. He has a wholesale butchering trade in Philadelphia. Mr. Rile is a Democrat in politics, but has never sought or held office except the position of school director which he filled acceptably for several terms, being president of the board several years. He and his family attend Boehm’s Reformed church at Blue Bell.

Mr. Rile married Fannie Elizabeth, daughter of Ross Gordon, of near Montgomery Square, the family being of Scotch descent. They have six children, four sons and two daughters, as follows: Frank Hazelton, who travels in the interest of a prominent plumbing material firm; Ross Gordon, who is engaged in the butchering business with his father and in farming in the vicinity, and who married Miss Stiles Hemphill Rieger, they having one son, Gordon Cox; Raymond Petitt Hart, who is employed in Philadelphia; Edward Aaron, who is studying for a veterinary surgeon; Frances Ellen, the wife of Dr. Alfred E. Fretz, of Sellersville, Pennsylvania; and Lulu Margaret, residing with her parents.