John Riley, retired physician, residing at Spring Hill, Portland Township, this county, was born in the city of New York, Sept. 30, 1818. His father was born in the same city, and was quite an extensive manufacturer and dealer in boots and shoes. His mother was born in Poughkeepsie, the same State. Their family comprised eight children, of whom ten survive. Richard J. was a farmer in Wright Co., Iowa, and John is the subject of this notice. The parents died in New York city when the subject of this sketch was quite young, and he was taken by relative to Montgomery County, same State, and raised on a farm. He remained on the farm, alternating his labors thereon by attending the common schools, until he attained the age of 17 years. He then attended the seminary in Amsterdam and also Kingsbury, and taught school for several years. He taught for the purpose of procuring means to assist him in attaining a knowledge of medicine. He studied medicine in Fulton County, and then attended the Castleton Medical College in Vermont, and graduated in 1843.

Soon after the completion of his education, he went to Saratoga Co., N. Y., where he followed his profession for about three years, and then came to Knox Co., Ill., and located near Galesburg. In 1853 he came to Portland village, and practiced there a short time, and then went to Spring Hill, at which place he followed his profession until about 1873, when he retired from active practice.

Mr. Riley has a farm of 80 acres adjoining Spring Hill, also 40 acres one mile southwest of the village and seven acres of a grove. He also has 160 acres of land in Nebraska and the same in Dakota. In 1877 he opened a store and dealt in groceries, boots and shoes, crockery, glassware, hardware, wagons, etc., which he successfully conducted until lately, when he sold out. He still owns his store building.

Mr. Riley was Coroner of the county one term, 1872-?? and Justice of the Peace four years, having been elected in 1873. He was married Dec. 24, 1845, in Saratoga Co., N. Y., to Abigail Burnett. She was the daughter of Isaac and Azubah (Slocum) Burnett, and was born in Saratoga Co., N. Y., Dec. 17, 1825. They have seven children, all sons, one born in Knox Co., Ill., one in Henry Co., Ill., and the others in Portland Township, this county. Charles graduated at the Soldiers' College at Fulton, Ill., and enlisted in the war for the Union in the 112th Ill. Vol. Inf, when he was 16 years of age. He is not Superintendent of the Genesee Schools. John is a physician in Exira, Audobon Co., Iowa. William is an attorney in Grundy Co., Iowa. George W. is an attorney in Albion, Boone Co. Iowa. Bruce is now studying medicine at the Iowa State University. H. Clay is a land and insurance agent at Clearwater, Antelope Co., Neb. Lincoln is now attending the Fulton College. He is aged 17 years, and is studying for the medical profession.

Portrait and Biographical Album of Whiteside County, Illinois; Chapman Bros., 1885, pg 537.