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BIOGRAPHIES
Source:
Centennial History of Cincinnati & Representative
Citizens
by Charles Theodore Greve, A. B., LL. B.
Vol. I
Publ. by
Biographical Publishing Company.
Geo. Richmond, Prks.; C. R. Arnold, Sec'y and Treas.
1904
(Transcribed by Sharon Wick)
Christopher Reichel |
CHRISTOPHER REICHEL Source: Centennial History of Cincinnati & Representative
Citizens
by Charles Theodore Greve, A. B., LL. B. -
Vol. II - Pt. 1 - Publ., 1904 - Page 573 |
John Charles Riley |
JOHN CHARLES
RILEY. John Charles Riley,
ex-postmaster of the city of Cincinnati and one of the
prominent citizens and political factors, was born Sept. 15,
1842, in Madison, Indiana. His parents were Hugh
and Ann (McDonough) Riley, natives of Ireland, who came
to America in 1832, settled in New York City, and afterwards
moved to Madison, Indiana. In 1844 the family removed
to Cincinnati where, four years later, the father died, the
mother surviving him 13 years. They were Roman
Catholics; the son, John C. Riley, was also baptized
in that faith, but his education in the affairs of the world
made him very liberal in his religious views.
Mr. Riley secured an education in the Fifth
District and First Intermediate schools of Cincinnati.
The death of his father early threw him upon his own
resources and at the age of 15 he began his business career
in the humble position of errand boy in a local merchant
tailoring establishment, and later filled the same station
in a retail hat and fur store. The lad was ambitious
and learned bookkeeping in Bartlett's Commercial College.
Thus better equipped, he secured a clerkship in a wholesale
hat house on Pearl street and from there went as bookkeeper
to the lamp, oil and gas fixture house of Brown &
Vallette on Fourth street, and in the course of time,
through that attention to business which has always marked
his career, he was, accepted as a partner in the firm of
J. D. Brown & Company, successors to Brown &
Vallette. In 1865 he sold this interest and became
associated in the same business with McHenry &
Carson, this copartnership dissolving in 1870, Mr.
Riley then becoming a member of the firm of Carson
& Company, with salesroom in the Pike Opera House Building.
There he remained until 1875 when he again became associated
with the house of McHenry & Company, a business
arrangement which kept in force until his appointment by
President Cleveland, in April, 1886, as
postmaster of Cincinnati. His administration of the
affairs of this office met with general satisfaction and is
still fresh in the minds of his friendly fellow citizens,
irrespective of party. However, Mr. Riley
is a man of firm political convictions and has been a very
useful member of the Democratic party. Two years of
service were given in the City Council and for three years
he was a member of the Board of Aldermen.
On May 30, 1864, Mr. Riley was united in
marriage with Emma N. Baker, daughter of Nathan
and Amelia (Horner) Baker, natives of Ohio, and two
children were born to this union: Louis R. and Ada
H. Louis R. Riley’s death occurred May 14,
1901; he left a widow,—who before marriage was Carrie M.
Maag, a daughter of Frank G. Maag, of Cincinnati,
— and two daughters, Ethel and Hazel.
Miss Ada H. Riley resides with her
parents in their home on Purcell avenue, Price Hill.
Our subject’s family are members of the Presbyterian Church.
Mr. Riley has held many positions of
honor and has been proffered more. Judges
Taft and Sage appointed him United States Jury
Commissioner
for the Western Division of the Southern District of Ohio
during their administrations. He has ever been in the
confidence of the leaders of his party and on Mar. 8, 1893,
he was offered the position of chief clerk of the War
Department, through Senator Calvin S. Brice, and on
Apr. 3, 1893, was tendered the position of Third Auditor of
the Treasury Department, by President Cleveland.
Both of these honorable positions he declined,
preferring the life of a private citizen among his friends
in Cincinnati. A portrait of Mr. Riley
accompanies this sketch.
Source: Centennial History of Cincinnati & Representative
Citizens
by Charles Theodore Greve, A. B., LL. B. -
Vol. II - Pt. 1 - Publ.,
1904 - Page 321 |
Michael Ryan |
MICHAEL RYAN Source: Centennial History of Cincinnati & Representative
Citizens
by Charles Theodore Greve, A. B., LL. B. -
Vol. II - Pt. 1 - Publ., 1904 - Page 777 |
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