Biographies and Obituaries
In loving memory
Thomas Riley
History of the Catholic Church in Indiana
Logansport: Bowen, 1898
Thomas Riley, an ex-policeman of Washington, Ind., and proprietor of one of the leading retail liquor establishments of that city, was born in Daviess county, February 27, 1845, and is the son of Patrick and Mary (Cassidy) Riley, both natives of Ireland.
His father was born in county Cavan, Ireland, in 1804, son of Thomas and Bridget (Bigelow) Riley, the former of county Cavan, the latter of county Monaghan. When Patrick was about twenty years old he came to America and located in Pennsylvania. His first net earnings in this country were applied to procuring the passage of his father across the ocean. He had entered some land in Barr township, Daviess county, Ind., in 1838, and in 1839 was joined by his father (his mother having already died), who died at New Albany in 1854. Patrick Riley married Mary Cassidy, at Cincinnati, Ohio. He died in June, 1850; she in November, 1872. They were the parents of the following children: Mary A.; Julia; Thomas; Margaret; and Mary, of whom Thomas, our subject, alone survives. All were earnest Catholics and progressive farmers, accumulating an estate of 240 acres in Daviess county, which fell to Thomas, the subject of this sketch.
Thomas Riley was educated in the common schools of the county, remaining at home until 1874, working on the farm during the summer months and being engaged in railroad work during the winters. In 1874 he sold the farm and engaged in the retail liquor business in Washington, in which business he has continued since, with the exception of two years, 1883-1884 when he served on the Washington police force.
July 3, 1870, Mr. Riley married Miss Mary Collins, who was born in Daviess county in June, 1847, daughter of Patrick and Mary Collins, natives of Ireland. To them have been born four children: Mary, deceased; Julia; Mary; and Helen. Mr. Riley owns his residence property on Flora street, and has been prosperous in his business. Politically, he is a democrat, and takes a proper degree of interest in local affairs. He and his family are members of St. Simon's parish.
Contributed by: John D. McMullen