Riley - James - 1900 - Montgomery InGenWeb Project

Thorntown, May 14—James Riley, the well known breeder of fine Berkshire swine, and lecturer on agricultural subjects at farmers’ institutes, died at the age of sixty five at his home, a mile west of here, Saturday about 4 p.m., after a month of suffering from pneumonia.

Mr. Riley was born in Switzerland County, this state. In early life he moved with his parents to Kirkland, thence to Peoria, Ill., and about fifty years ago came to this place. For many years he has resided on the present farm, and there he built up a splendid reputation as a successful breeder of Berkshire swine and grower of pure seed corn. Thirty three years ago Mr. Riley introduced the great Berkshire hog in this state and after years of patient and scientific work succeeded in perfecting the Berkshire beyond the standard reached in England, the original home of the breed. He also invented the system of fire drying seed corn. Now all seed corn is treated in this manner. Mr. Riley was a prize winner in Berkshires and corn at the World’s Fair and at scores of state fairs. His reputation has extended to foreign lands and his shipments of hogs have reached to points in Central and South America, Canada, and every state in the union. He began the movement resulting in the organization of the Indiana Corn Growers’ Association, of which he was vice president, and was for years a lecturer at farmers’ institutes at many points throughout the country.

On May 5, 1855, Mr. Riley married Miss Eliza Hysinger, who died Oct. 7, 1887. Seven children, the result of this union, are living, namely: Mesdames Mary Rogers and Rosa Flowers of Danville, Ill., Joseph Riley, of Linden, Grant, Howard, Walter, and Marley, of this place. Mr. Riley’s second wife (nee Mrs. Mary E. Conklin), whom he married Nov. 28, 1888, also survives him. Funeral services are today at 2 p.m. with services at Sugar Plains Friends’ Church. -s