JOHN DILLEY is a successful farmer now living on section 10, Ridott Township, where he owns 160 acres of well-improved land. Mr. Dilley was born in Germany, Sept. 21, 1827. His father, John Dilley, Sr., is now living in Silver Creek Township, at the ripe age of eighty-four years. The father had married Dora Schmidt, who is yet living, and is eighty-two years of age.

John Dilley and wife came to the United States about 1854. The subject of our sketch is the eldest child and only son, there being three girls. He grew up in his native Province until fifteen years old. At this age he set out for the United States, and made his first settlement in Minnesota in 1842. He worked at Stillwater in that State for seven years. When he left Minnesota he came to Illinois and located in Ridott Township. He was married here in 1856 to Miss Barbara Miller, who was born in Hesse-Darmstadt, Germany, April 15, 1837. She is the daughter of Louis Miller, who came to this country in 1840 and died at the age of about seventy-five years in Iowa. Mrs. Dilley was the youngest daughter of six children. Her mother’s maiden name was Barbara Kline, who is now deceased, having died in this township at the age of about fifty-five years. Mrs. Dilley is the mother of a large family of children, one of whom is dead. These are Louis, who is married; Charles, Barbara, Albert, George; Katie, who is also married; August and Adam. John Adam is the deceased child.

After marriage Mr. Dilley settled on section 16, in Ridott Township, where he partly improved his eighty acres of land. He sold it and bought where he now lives. His farm is being constantly cultivated and is well improved. The family are members of the Evangelical Lutheran Church. In politics, Mr. Dilley is a Democrat.

Contributed by Carol Parrish - Portrait and Biographical Album of Stephenson County, Ill. (1888)