George N. Riley (1792 - 1882)

Born 27 Aug 1792 in Evesham, Burlington, New Jersey

Husband of Meribah Springer (Peacock) Riley — married 19 Nov 1826 in Mount Holly, Burlington, New Jersey, United States

Descendants

Died 2 Nov 1882 at age 90 in Sugar Creek Township, Allen, Ohio, United States

Biography

George N. Riley was born August 27, 1792 in Medford, Burlington, New Jersey.^[1][2]

He united with the Methodist Episcopal church in 1815 and was licensed to make urgent appeals or preach.

Marriage

He married Meribah Springer Peacock on November 19, 1826 in Mount Holly, New Jersey, United States.^[3] Together they had the following children:^[4][5]

Children

1. Leslie Peacock
2. Eleanore E.,
3. William,
4. Joseph Henry
5. Elizabeth Eitel
6. George N. Jr.
7. Mary Francis
8. Samuel James
9. Sara Jane.

Soon after George entered into the ministry. Rev. George Riley, came to Lebanon, Ohio, United States and for three years and had the difficult task of acting as a missionary at Lebanon to the Wyandotte Indians, where he and his wife lived in the complete simplicity of frontier days. He then went to Upper Sandusky for a year, where he built a mission house for the use of the Indians.^[6]

In 1835 he moved to Springfield, Ohio, but after a few months in the fall of 1835 he came to Allen, Ohio, United States. In this county he bought land from the government and built his farm. He cleared off the land and developed it to agricultural purposes. Through his influence and help the Wesley Chapel was built. This was one of the first churches in the county, and he attended regularly to his duties in the pulpit.^[6]

Pioneer of Allen County, Ohio

George was one of the pioneers of Allen County and he lived to see three generations of men come and go; the county pass victoriously through three great wars; and to see the state of his adoption pass from birth to become one of the foremost States in the union.^{[7][4][5][8][9]}

George was ordained for the office and work of a deacon in the M.E. Church at the session at the Delaware Annual Conference held in Lima, Ohio on October 28, 1856 at the hands of Bishop Beverly Waugh.^[7]

George was one of nature's noblemen. He was a man of excellent mental qualities. Reasoning was his stronghold. He wrote essays on Mental Philosophy. He was quite familiar with the writings upon this line of thought, equally at home with the leading theological works of his church. He loved the word of God. He was a man of constant prayer. To pray without ceasing was the rule of his life. He exercised unusual faith. His testament is marked with his own hand as having been read at the family alter twenty-eight times.^[7]

Death

Reverend George N. Riley died November 2, 1882 in Sugar Creek Township, Allen, Ohio, United States.^[10] He was buried in the Woodlawn Cemetery in Lima, Allen, Ohio, United States.^[11]

Sources

1. ↑ United States Census, 1830. Ancestry.com [online] 1830; Census Place: Evesham, Burlington, New Jersey; Series: M19; Roll: 80; Page: 69
2. ↑ United States Census, 1840, George Riley, German Township, Allen, Ohio, United States; citing p. 109.
3. ↑ New Jersey, County Marriages, 1682-1956 George Reily and Mariam Peacock, 19 Nov 1826; citing Burlington, New Jersey, New Jersey State Archives, Trenton.
4. ↑ ^{4.0 4.1} United States Census, 1850. [online database] FamilySearch. George Beaty, Sugar Creek Township, Allen, Ohio, United States
5. ↑ ^{5.0 5.1} United States Census, 1860, G Riley, Year: 1860; Census Place: Sugar Creek, Allen, Ohio; Roll: M653_929; Page: 321.
6. ↑ ^{6.0 6.1} Rusler, William., A Standard History of Allen County, Ohio Vol. 1: pg. 21.
7. ↑ ^{7.0 7.1 7.2} Rev. George Riley. The Lima Weekly Gazette, Nov. 8, 1882
8. ↑ United States Census, 1870 George Riley, Year: 1870; Census Place: Sugar Creek, Allen, Ohio; Roll: M593_1168; Page: 561A
9. ↑ United States Census, 1880 George Riley, Year: 1880; Census Place: Sugar Creek, Allen, Ohio; Roll: 990; Page: 310D; Enumeration District: 214
10. ↑ Ohio, County Death Records, 1840-2001, George Riley, 02 Nov 1882; citing Death, Sugar Creek, Allen, Ohio, United States, source ID v 1 p 103, County courthouses, Ohio.
11. ↑ Find A Grave, memorial page for Rev George N Riley (27 Aug 1792–2 Nov 1882), Find A Grave Memorial no. 54575972, citing Woodlawn Cemetery, Lima, Allen County, Ohio, USA.

see also:

• http://www.revolutionarywarnewjersey.com/new_jersey_revolutionary_war_sites/towns/medford_nj_revolutionary_war_sites.htm

• Probate and Civil Records (Allen County, Ohio), 1831-1913; General Index, 1835-1926; Author: Ohio. Probate Court (Allen County); Probate Place: Allen, Ohio