Riley, Robert R.

Passed: 1899-01-13

Age: 86

Source:

Death Notice: 1899-01-13

Obituary Date:

Information: 'UNCLE' ROBERT GONE. - A SON'S DESERVED TRIBUTE TO ROBERT R. RILEY, ESQ., WHO SANK TO REST FRIDAY MORNING.      My. father, Robert R. Riley, was a son of Matson Riley and Mary, his wife.  He was born March 21, 1812, in the Little Kanawha Valley, Wood county, this State, and died at his home in this county, January 13, 1899.  He had five brothers, Joshua, John, Amos, George and David.  The last two named survive him. George resides in Jackson county, Ohio, and David lives not far from the old home place in Wood county.  He had four sisters, Mary, Caroline, and Hannah, and one sister whose name I cannot now recall, who married a Barnett.  One sister, who resides in Jackson county, Ohio, survives him.  My grandfather Riley came from Eastern Vrginia, and was descended from Irish stock, as was also his wife.  My father and his brothers and sisters received very fair English education, especially he and his brothers, John and Amos.  My father and his brother, John, came to Jackson county about the year 1832, and engaged in teaching school, and I have no doubt they did good, good work in that line.  A great many persons have said to me, ""I went to school to your father,"" or ""your Uncle John, and liked them"".  These kindly references were always pleasing to me.      When they came to Ripley there were only a few log houses to be seen.  My Uncle John, being a practical surveyor, was employed to survey and make a plat of the town, which he did, and his work, in the main, still stands.  At that day this county was very sparsely settled.  Indeed it was a vast wilderness, only occasional settlers along the principal streams of water and only small farms cleared up.  Deer, wild turkeys and other kinds of game were to be found on every hand, and stockmen were apprehensive for the safety of their flocks, by reason of the wolf and panther, then still numerous.  It was then quite common for the country gentlemen to be clad in buckskin breeches and vest, linsey hunting shirt, and cap of the skin of some animal.      After teaching school for a year or two, my father was made a constable, a position which he held for several years, during which time he seems to have had considerable business in his hands.  If he failed to pay over and account for all money which came to his hands, as such, I never heard of it.  About this time, between 1833 and 1845, Peter Cleek, with a large family, removed from Bath county, Virginia, to the farm now occupied by Alfred Walters, above Ripley, becoming a permanent citizen of Jackson county.  My father married Elizabeth, the youngest daughter of Peter Cleek, and began housekeeping in a cabin which stood near the big rock back of Mr. Walters' residence, in which some members of our family older than myself were born.      In connection with official duties, which from time to time engaged my father's attention, he was farming all his life.  In about 1857, he purchased the hill farm of about 275 acres, which he occupied until his death.  He was one of many in this county who suffered considerable loss on account of the claim to lands set up by the North American Land Company, having to buy said tract and other lands from said company.  My father was surveyor of this county for a number of years, commencing away back at a time when there was a great deal to do, at a time when a large portion of Jackson county was subject to entry and to be carried into patent.  He made a great many of these original surveys in all parts of the county.  A great many people, through him , procured the necessary land warrant from Richmond, Virginia, and were thus assisted in locating their land.  These people frequently came to his home to see him on business, and many the times they were fed and lodged.  Many made these calls simply for old acquaintance sake, receiving the same kind treatment.  My father and mother seemed to enjoy it.  I can remember well when a boy, on public days especially, when our house would be as thronged with guests as a hotel. It didn't cost anything.  All seemed happy.      One of his old friends met him on the street and said, ""Bob, are you about ready to go home?""  Father replied ""no, not quite.""  ""Well, I'll go on up and turn out my horse""-- and on he went.  Another called late at night, drunk, and made the usual alarm.   Some one of the family went to the door and inquired what was wanted.  He said he wanted to come in and stay all night.  He was told that we were crowded and could not well keep him. He replied ""B--G--d, I'm crowded, too,""  got off his horse, came in, stayed all night--and was treated white. I remember many instances when in the night he took in drunken men whose condition was such that he feared they could not get to their houses. One instance when a very drunk man got into a deep mud hole a few hundred yards above our house and was wholly unable to extricate himself.  He would sing a while, then pray.  Finally he was heard at the house, my father went to his relief, pulled him out, brought him to house and laid him before the fire and thawed him out (for it was freezing) and kept him till morning when he pursued his journey homeward.  I mention only a few of such incidents, out of hundreds, to show his kindly and charitable disposition toward his neighbors.  My father was very patient with drunken men, with a great many of whom he had to contend when we lived on the Charleston road.  Saloons were then open in Ripley.  Yet he was the most temperate man so far as use of liquours was concerned.  Never knew him to be intoxicated, and never used liquor except strictly for medical purposes.      Prior to the war between the States, my father was a Whig and at the Presidential election of 1860 voted for Bell and Everett.  When the State of Virginia submitted to vote of the people the ordinance of Secession, he was unqualifiedly against it.  While a great many men at that time seemed scarcely to know what to do in the case, he did not hesitate, but promptly took the Union side, and was an enthusiastic supporter thereof all the way through.  In 1864 he voted for Mr. Lincoln and was ever afterwards well satisfied with the principles of the Republican party and gave it his support.  When the war came on he was past military age, and, in fact, was not physically able to bear arms, therefore, did not enlist, but willingly consented for his boys to enter the army, which they did, at least all who were old enough.      He was clerk of the circuit court of this county for a term of years during the war.  Many times specially appointed to do important business as commissioner and surveyor in matters of the partition of lands, locating county and district lines, executing orders of survey ? in proceedings in and out of court, in all cases performing his duties conscientiously, according his best skill and judgement.  He worked diligently and industriously at whatever work he had in hand, and when not otherwise employed, put in his time at work on his farm, to the extent of his strength to do so.      He was Baptist in his belief, as were all of his father's family, however, he, from some cause, never joined any church.  His wife, our good mother, was a member of the U. B. Church and in my younger days father's house was one of the regular stopping places for U. B. preachers, for many of whom, such as Bachtel, Warner, Perry, Miles and other, he had the highest respect and always gave them a cordial greeting.  He was a regular Bible reader all his life, believed in Christ, and encouraged all moral and religious reforms, and in all his daily walk and conversation acted like a Christian gentleman--and ""actions speak louder than words"".  I have always felt proud of my father's good name and character, and by it have been stimulated to effort to avoid disgracing it.  We loved our father very dearly, and are grieved to part with him, yet we should be thankful that he wa spared to us so long.  We realize that 87 is a good old age.  For several months, by reason of a fall he received, he had been very much crippled, nearly helpless.  On last Friday, the 13th inst., early in the morning, standing on his feet, he dropped back into his chair and in a few moments expired.  A kind and affectionate husband and father has passed away.  Peace to his ashes,  His loving son, W. W. Riley.    TRIBUTE - Robert R. Riley was born in Wood county, West Virginia, on the 21st day of March, 1812.  He came to Jackson county about the time of its organization, united in marriage with Elizabeth Cleek, who departed this life in 1875.  To this couple were born fourteen children, nine of whom attained their majority and seven of whom survive and married in this county.      Mr. Riley was a school teacher when he removed to Jackson county. He served as surveyor of lands, clerk of the circuit court, and in other responsible public positions of the county, and discharged every duty thereof fully and conscientiously.  In politics he was a Whig before the war and a Republican since the war, during which four of his sons served in defense of the flag.  One of these sons was his father's successor as clerk of the circuit court and two of them have been admitted to the bar of the county.      Mr. Riley was a sober, industrious, honest, good citizen, against whom no imputation of bad faith or unfair dealing was ever cast. He departed life on the 13th day of January, 1899, while this court was in session.  It is therefore deemed proper that this testimonial be spread upon the records of this court, and it be ordered accordingly.  It is also ordered that the clerk of this court certify a copy of this tribute to the family of the deceased.    Teste:  Geo. B. Crow, Clerk.