The Riley Family Museum
1835–today
Scroll to enter
From Cahersiveen to the present
Nearly two centuries of one family, told by the record it left behind, in four rooms. Every entry cites the page it was read from, and every plate is a scan from the volumes. The paper ages backwards as you walk: stained and lamplit in 1835, clean by the present day.
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Cahersiveen and the Famine
Plate 01 John Joseph Riley, 1835 - 1917 2017 Riley Family History, Addendum A, p. 2 Cahersiveen
The museum opens on one fact and an argument about it. John Joseph Riley was born at Cahersiveen in County Kerry on 24 June 1835, which is the date cut into his tombstone. A Confederate pension application filed much later carries a story that puts his birth at 20 June 1837 instead. The book sets the two side by side, keeps the stone, and says why.
That is how the history behaves the whole way down. Where two documents disagree, both are written out, the reason for preferring one is given, and the page number is printed so a reader can go and look. Everything in these rooms is built on that habit.
Written from the 2017 Riley Family History, Addendum A, p. 41; 2011 Riley Family History, PDF p. 34
John Joseph Riley was born in Cahersiveen, Kerry County, Ireland on 24 June 1835; there are some records to indicate that his birth was possibly on 20 June 1837, but those are unofficial.
from the 2017 Riley Family History, Addendum A, p. 41 -
Birth of John Joseph Riley.
2019 Riley Family History, Addendum B, p. 1
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Birth of Patrick's brother John Joseph Riley.
2019 Riley Family History, Addendum B, p. 142
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John Riley was born.
2011 Riley Family History, PDF p. 199
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Confederate Pension Application contains a story giving birth as 20 June 1837, conflicting with the tombstone date.
2011 Riley Family History, PDF p. 34
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Enlisted in U.S. Army, Register of Enlistments
2011 Riley Family History, PDF p. 756
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John Joseph Riley and William and Catherine McNamara came from Ireland and immigrated to the US during the Potato Famine period
2011 Riley Family History, p. 4
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The siblings of John Joseph Riley came to the US one at a time, arriving between 1840 and 1851 according to records found.
2019 Riley Family History, Addendum B, p. 7
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Came to the US in about 1842 and lived most of his life in the US in Wisconsin.
2019 Riley Family History, Addendum B, p. 9
The Famine
He crossed as a boy, in the years the potato failed. The addendum puts the crossing in its cause without decoration: he came as part of the great migration out of Ireland caused by the famine that devastated the country in the middle of the century.
The year he landed at Boston is a small unresolved thing. The 1910 census gives 1845 and the 1900 census gives 1846, and the timeline in the book prints both counts rather than picking one to look tidy.
Written from the 2017 Riley Family History, Addendum A, p. 41; 2011 Riley Family History, PDF p. 34
He came to the US as part of the great migration from Ireland due to the "Potato Famine" that devastated Ireland in the mid-1800's.
from the 2017 Riley Family History, Addendum A, p. 41 -
John Joseph Riley arrived in the United States.
2011 Riley Family History, PDF p. 49
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The 1900 and 1910 census records say that John Riley arrived from Ireland in 1845 or 1846.
2017 Riley Family History, Addendum A, p. 19
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Arrival at age 11; 1900 census says 1846.
2011 Riley Family History, PDF p. 34
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Immigrated from Ireland to the United States, arriving in the Massachusetts area.
2011 Riley Family History, PDF p. 291
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Catherine Farrell arrived in the United States; the 1900 census indicates she immigrated in 1849 and had been in the US for 51 years.
2011 Riley Family History, p. 3
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Came to Texas.
2017 Riley Family History, Addendum A, p. 1
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A new possible date of 1851 for John Riley's arrival is suggested, to be discussed further.
2017 Riley Family History, Addendum A, p. 19
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Naturalization papers dated 31 Oct 1857 in Wisconsin for John Riley state he arrived in New York in August 1851, age 25, born in 1835.
2019 Riley Family History, Addendum B, p. 3
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The Crossing, the War, the Rangers
Plate 02 IMMACULATE CONCEPTION CATHOLIC CHURCH PANNA MARIA, TEXAS OLDEST POLISH CATHOLIC COLONY IN THE U.S. FOUNDED DECEMBER 24, 1854 2011 Riley Family History, PDF p. 293 
Plate 03 Margaret Ellen McNamara, 1861 - 1942 2017 Riley Family History, Addendum A, p. 2 
Plate 04 MRS. SIXTA ALCIDE ROSSETT Came to Runge in 1894. 2011 Riley Family History, PDF p. 337 The Crossing
Most of the family stopped where the ship did. The 2019 addendum states it flatly: the Riley family history primarily took place in Monson, Hampden County, Massachusetts, where most of them immigrated to and where they lived and died. Whole branches of this tree are a New England mill town.
John Joseph did not stay. He reached Massachusetts and then went south to Texas in the 1850s, to work for a better life than Ireland could have given him. One sentence in the record covers the decision that set everything after it.
Written from the 2019 Riley Family History, Addendum B, p. 12; 2017 Riley Family History, Addendum A, p. 41
The Riley family history primarily took place in Monson, Hampden County, Massachusetts where most Riley family members immigrated to and where they lived and died.
from the 2019 Riley Family History, Addendum B, PDF p. 18 He arrived in the Massachusetts area, but came to Texas in the 1850's and began working to make a better life for himself than he could have in Ireland.
from the 2017 Riley Family History, Addendum A, p. 41 -
Enlisted in the British Army, regimental number 3906, age 20 at enlistment, per WO 25/542B register.
2017 Riley Family History, Addendum A, p. 25
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If John Riley did leave from Colchester in 1855 and return to the United States (page frames this as hypothetical/'if').
2017 Riley Family History, Addendum A, p. 24
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Per the voter registration record, William McNamara had been in the state for 12 years, indicating he came to Texas in 1856.
2017 Riley Family History, Addendum A, p. 34
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Moved to Wisconsin, per his Naturalization papers dated 31 Oct 1857
2019 Riley Family History, Addendum B, p. 4
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Naturalization record states native country Ireland, naturalized about 1857 at Napon, Wisconsin; signature given as John Riley (X for His Mark); general remarks note he lost his naturalization papers.
2017 Riley Family History, Addendum A, p. 18
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Naturalized by County Court, having made oath he was naturalized in 1858 and lost his papers, with honorable discharge from U.S.A.
2017 Riley Family History, Addendum A, p. 36
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John came to Texas; 1867 Voter Registration for John Riley in DeWitt County stated he had been in the state for about 8 years, thus coming in about 1859; thought he probably came to Karnes or DeWitt County
2019 Riley Family History, Addendum B, p. 4
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Made it to Texas.
2017 Riley Family History, Addendum A, p. 26
The Civil War
In April 1861 he enlisted at San Antonio, a private in the Texas Mounted Riflemen, serving the Confederacy under General Bell, Colonel Henry McCulloch and Captain Nelson. He was twenty-five, and fifteen years off the boat.
He fought in several engagements and was discharged in June 1865 at Columbus, Texas, having spent the last days of his service in hospital. The military records say he moved to Karnes County afterwards, and that is where the rest of this story happens.
Written from the 2011 Riley Family History, PDF p. 34; 2017 Riley Family History, Addendum A, p. 41
When the Civil War started, he joined the Confederacy in April of 1861 and became a member of the Texas Mounted Riflemen under General Bell and Colonel Woods.
from the 2017 Riley Family History, Addendum A, p. 41 He fought in several battles and was discharged in June 1865 and then he settled in Karnes County.
from the 2017 Riley Family History, Addendum A, p. 41 -
Enlisted as Private in Confederate Army, Texas Mounted Riflemen under General Bell, Col Henry McCulloch, and Capt Nelson, at age 25.
2011 Riley Family History, PDF p. 34
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He enlisted in the Confederate Army in April 1861 in San Antonio, Texas.
2011 Riley Family History, p. 2
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Appears on Company Muster Roll, Pvt., Co. G, Woods' Regiment Texas Cavalry (36th Cavalry, Texas), age 24 years, valuation of horse $100, equipments $100.
2011 Riley Family History, PDF p. 189
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John Riley enlisted as Private, Co. G, 36 Regiment Texas Cavalry, Confederate States Army, at San Antonio, age 24 years.
2011 Riley Family History, PDF p. 205
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Last paid by Capt French to this date; company muster roll for Mch & Apl 1863 lists valuation of horse $14/100, equipments $15/100
2011 Riley Family History, PDF p. 193
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Banks took to his boats and left for New Orleans; no more real fighting, Riley put to picket duty along the Mississippi River.
2011 Riley Family History, PDF p. 199
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It is thought John Riley came to DeWitt County in March 1867.
2017 Riley Family History, Addendum A, p. 19
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Year of immigration to the United States.
2011 Riley Family History, PDF p. 714
The Texas Rangers
In 1870 he joined the Frontier Forces at Fort Mason, the outfit that became the Texas Rangers, in Captain Franklin Jones’ Company A. The service was brief and precisely dated: mustered in on 6 October 1870, honourably discharged on 12 November.
Six weeks of service, and sixty years later it had to be proved. In 1932 his son James wrote to the Veterans Administration on his widowed mother’s behalf, setting out what he knew of his father’s company from personal knowledge, and the Acting State Librarian in Austin certified a copy of the Company A rolls to settle it. Much of what this museum can say about him survives because a family fought a pension claim.
The rest of the century is a man putting down weight. He married Margaret Ellen McNamara at San Antonio on 15 January 1876 and they had eight children. He took the contract for the Helena courthouse around 1872, bought land across Karnes and DeWitt Counties until he held more than four thousand acres, and turned from sheep to cattle. In 1876 three sheep men, P. P. Short, John Riley and Joshua Butler, settled the small community of Cabeza.
Written from the 2017 Riley Family History, Addendum A, p. 41; 2011 Riley Family History, PDF p. 209; 2011 Riley Family History, PDF p. 239; 2011 Riley Family History, PDF p. 219
He later joined the Frontier Forces (a forerunner of the Texas Rangers) in 1870 at Fort Mason, Texas for a short period of time.
from the 2017 Riley Family History, Addendum A, p. 41 In reply to your form letter of February eighteenth, you are advised that, according to the records of this office, John Riley served as a Private in Captain Franklin Jones' Company, Texas Frontier Forces from Oct. 6. 1870, date of muster into service, until his honorable discharge, Nov. 12, 1870.
The Adjutant General of Texas, 27 February 1932, replying to the Director of Pensions, from the 2011 Riley Family History, PDF p. 209 I, Fannie M. Wilcox, acting State Librarian, do hereby certify that the foregoing is a true and correct copy of that part of the rolls of Company A, Frontier Battalion, Captain Franklin Jones commanding, pertaining to the service of John Riley on file in the Texas State Library.
Fannie M. Wilcox, Acting State Librarian, Texas State Library, 20 January 1932, from the 2011 Riley Family History, PDF p. 219 If you will read my letter to you dated April 18, 1932, in answer to your letter of April 7, 1932, you will note that I outlined in detail, facts from my own personal knowledge, regarding my father's service as a member of Capt. Jones' Company.
James E. Riley, Runge, Texas, in a letter to the Veterans Administration, 1 June 1932, from the 2011 Riley Family History, PDF p. 239 John Joseph Riley was married to Margaret Ellen McNamara on 15 January 1876 in San Antonio, Texas.
from the 2017 Riley Family History, Addendum A, p. 41 During this period, John Riley began to buy land in Karnes and DeWitt Counties, eventually having more than 4000 acres.
from the 2017 Riley Family History, Addendum A, p. 41 The settlement was founded about 1876 by the families of three sheep men, P. P. Short, John Riley, and Joshua Butler.
from the 2017 Riley Family History, Addendum A, p. 41 One of his accomplishments is that he was the contractor that built the Helena Courthouse in about 1872.
from the 2017 Riley Family History, Addendum A, p. 41 -
John Riley served as a member of Capt. Franklin Jones' Company "A", Texas Frontier Forces.
2011 Riley Family History, PDF p. 242
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John Joseph Riley, a young man from Karnes County who had lived with and worked for Lockwood following the Civil War, served as a private in Company A.
2017 Riley Family History, Addendum A, p. 27
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Year of immigration to the United States
2011 Riley Family History, PDF p. 715
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Catherine came to the US according to the 1930 census.
2019 Riley Family History, Addendum B, p. 101
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John Riley, Private in Captain Geo. W. Baylor's Company A, Frontier Battalion, mustered into State Service on 12 April 1883, honorably discharged 31 August 1883 at Ysleta, Texas; pay due from June 1st to discharge date; sum due of $90.00.
2011 Riley Family History, PDF p. 212
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A John Riley served in the Frontier Battalion; the pay records were apparently signed by John Riley, but since John Joseph Riley could not write, the page states these records were likely not for John Joseph Riley unless someone signed for him.
2011 Riley Family History, PDF p. 207
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1890 Veteran's Schedule states he enlisted in 1861 as a Private; living in Monson, MA; name spelled Patrick O'Rilley on the original record and Rilley in the Ancestry.com list view.
2019 Riley Family History, Addendum B, p. 144
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1890 Veterans Schedule record provided insight into Patrick Riley's military service in the Civil War.
2019 Riley Family History, Addendum B, p. 138
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Runge, St. Anthony's, mid-century
Plate 05 (In the Alamo Register, Friday, Oct. 27 1944) 2011 Riley Family History, PDF p. 333 
Plate 06 HELENA 2011 Riley Family History, PDF p. 287 
Plate 07 OX-CART ROAD 2011 Riley Family History, PDF p. 287 Cabeza, Runge, St. Anthony's Parish
Around 1900 Father Tom Moczygemba chose a site in Runge for a church to be named for St. Anthony, on land the Runge Land Company gave. John and Margaret were Catholics and helped establish it about 1901.
Before the church there were kitchens. A parishioner writing her memories of St. Anthony’s recalled Mass being said in the family homes of the district, the Riley house among them. John died at his ranch on 1 November 1917 and was buried in the Catholic cemetery at Runge; Margaret died in 1942 and was buried beside him. In 1929 the land was surveyed and partitioned among the descendants into numbered tracts.
Written from the 2011 Riley Family History, PDF p. 369; 2017 Riley Family History, Addendum A, p. 41; 2017 Riley Family History, Addendum A, p. 58
John and Margaret were Catholics and helped to establish the St. Anthony Catholic Church in Runge about 1901.
from the 2017 Riley Family History, Addendum A, p. 41 Mass was also offered at the homes of John Riley and J. H. Keepers and probably at other homes at which I do not recall.
Mrs. Henry (Nora Lewis) Seifert, in "My Memories Of St. Anthony’s", from the 2011 Riley Family History, PDF p. 369 Around 1900 Father Tom Moczygemba selected a site for a church in Runge to be named in honor of St. Anthony.
Mrs. Henry (Nora Lewis) Seifert, in "My Memories Of St. Anthony’s", from the 2011 Riley Family History, PDF p. 369 John died on 1 November 1917 on his ranch and is buried in the Catholic Cemetery in Runge, Texas; his wife died in 1942 and is buried by his side.
from the 2017 Riley Family History, Addendum A, p. 41 -
Nora Agnes Foley, an Irish immigrant, came to the US in 1910.
2017 Riley Family History, Addendum A, p. 34
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Arrival, possibly New York (Not confirmed); based on information from the 1930 census, not the 1920 census
2011 Riley Family History, PDF p. 625
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Nora Foley immigrated to the USA from Cork County, Ireland, traveling alone on the ship Oceanic, which left from Queenstown, Ireland.
2011 Riley Family History, p. 2
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Nora Agnes Foley arrived in the United States after emigrating from Ireland.
2011 Riley Family History, p. 3
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Appointed Quartermaster Sergeant on 24 Oct 1917 while serving in the Quartermaster Corp at Camp Cody, New Mexico. He was promoted to 2nd Lt. on 13 Aug 1918, location unknown.
2011 Riley Family History, PDF p. 417
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Age 41, World War I Draft Registration. He registered but he did not serve.
2011 Riley Family History, PDF p. 537
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Discharged to accept commission per S.O. 1.3, W.D. August 13, 1917; service honest and faithful, no AWOL, recommended for re-enlistment.
2011 Riley Family History, PDF p. 492
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Last paid to include this date, by Capt. E. B. Franks, Q.M. R.C.
2011 Riley Family History, PDF p. 492
Mid-century generations
The ranch kept working, and the record keeps the ordinary detail with the same care it gives a muster roll: horses kept at Runge, used to work the cattle. That is the century in this family, written down because someone thought it was worth writing down.
John Oliver and Margaret Riley hosted reunions at their farm in Runge. The book keeps the photograph from 1968 and names every person standing in it, which is a genealogist’s idea of a good time and also the reason those faces are not anonymous now.
Written from the 2011 Riley Family History, p. 18; 2017 Riley Family History, Addendum A, p. 56
He had horses at the ranch in Runge, and he used them to work the cattle that he raised.
from the 2011 Riley Family History, p. 18 Regarding the family of John Oliver and Margaret Riley, they did host some family reunions at their farm in Runge, Texas.
from the 2017 Riley Family History, Addendum A, p. 56 -
Inducted into active duty.
2011 Riley Family History, PDF p. 936
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Military enlistment.
2011 Riley Family History, PDF p. 629
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Maurice writes from the Desert Training Center, California, stating he is stationed there for continued training, has made the rank of Corporal, received a good conduct medal (one of 11 out of 200 men), and is about to leave Saturday on a three-week problem, likely to Arizona and Nevada.
2017 Riley Family History, Addendum A, p. 68
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Maurice writes from Camp Macey near Paris, Texas, describing army training, an overnight hike, and losing his job of guarding prisoners after leaving Fort Riley to join the 3rd army.
2017 Riley Family History, Addendum A, p. 65
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Maurice writes a V-Mail letter to his mother from Holland while Allied troops advance in Europe; a photo of Maurice later had a note saying he fought in the Battle of the Bulge, and the unit he was part of was assigned to Patton and did fight in the Battle of the Bulge.
2017 Riley Family History, Addendum A, p. 74
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Maurice shipped out to England soon after sending the letter to Helen and was part of the Allied Forces that invaded Europe.
2011 Riley Family History, p. 10
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Left Europe.
2011 Riley Family History, p. 14
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Maurice was honorably discharged from the Army.
2017 Riley Family History, Addendum A, p. 78
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The family now living
Plate 08 Two elderly women seated together holding hands, one in a colorful geometric-print blouse and white pants, the other in 2011 Riley Family History, p. 16 
Plate 09 Mary Elizabeth Riley - Overview - Ancestry.com 2011 Riley Family History, PDF p. 400 
Plate 10 Pedigree View - Printer Friendly - Ancestry.com / Shaw Family Tree 2011 Riley Family History, PDF p. 753 Present day
The last room is the work itself. The 2017 addendum records who assembled it: a great-grandson of the boy born at Cahersiveen, Robert M. Riley of Fort Worth, Texas. Three volumes, more than five years, and a family that can now be followed from a town on the Iveragh peninsula to a farm in Karnes County without leaving the page numbers behind.
The volumes hold more than dates. They hold a eulogy that calls Helen a gifted storyteller, a 1932 letter arguing with Washington, a parishioner’s memory of Mass in a neighbour’s front room. Grandad gathered all of it, and it is his gathering that makes this museum possible.
Written from the 2017 Riley Family History, Addendum A, p. 41; 2011 Riley Family History, p. 45; 2011 Riley Family History, PDF p. 239; 2011 Riley Family History, PDF p. 369
Helen was a gifted storyteller.
a eulogy for Helen Elizabeth Riley, reproduced in the volume, from the 2011 Riley Family History, p. 45 A Riley Family History document has been compiled by his great-grandson, Robert M. Riley of Fort Worth, Texas.
from the 2017 Riley Family History, Addendum A, p. 41 -
Marriage of Opal Marie Sachtleben
2011 Riley Family History, PDF p. 946
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Marriage - Marriage to Herbert Phillips
2011 Riley Family History, PDF p. 943
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A Warranty Deed represents the settlement of some lots in Runge, Texas, involving the children of William and Mitt Riley.
2011 Riley Family History, PDF p. 533
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An Affidavit of Heirship of John Joseph Riley and his wife, Margaret Ellen Riley, was executed, being filed the same date as the Affidavit of Adverse Possession and the Warranty Deed.
2011 Riley Family History, PDF p. 666
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Grantors conveyed Lots Eleven (11) and Twelve (12), Block Two (2), Howard Addition to the Town of Runge, Karnes County, Texas, to Opal M. Phillips, Trustee, by Warranty Deed for Ten and No/100 Dollars and other valuable consideration.
2011 Riley Family History, PDF p. 584
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Opal M. Phillips, as Trustee, executed an Affidavit of Adverse Possession, claiming title to Lots 11 and 12, Block 2, Howard Addition, Town of Runge, Karnes County, Texas, adverse to all persons, living or dead, effective immediately, irrespective of the date actually executed.
2011 Riley Family History, PDF p. 666
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National Personnel Records Center sends Robert Riley photocopies of military record material for veteran James E. Riley, in response to a records request (Request Number 929515873).
2011 Riley Family History, PDF p. 491
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Records for Veteran John Riley's Civil War and Spanish American War service located and reproduced, enclosed with letter to Robert M. Riley
2011 Riley Family History, PDF p. 216
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The historian
Grandad Riley built the record behind these rooms
Five years of research became the volumes held here. Every family record in this museum came from that work. The 2017 addendum names him as the book knows him: a great-grandson of the boy born at Cahersiveen, Robert M. Riley of Fort Worth, Texas.
from the 2017 Riley Family History, Addendum A, p. 41
The source shelf
Holdings of this museum
- 2011 Riley Family History, original document 2011-A, PDF p. 1124 1,124 pages
- 2011 Riley Family History, with minor modifications 2011 Riley Family History, PDF p. 1124 1,124 pages
- 2017 Riley Family History, Addendum A 2017 Riley Family History, Addendum A, PDF p. 82 82 pages
- 2019 Riley Family History, Addendum B 2019 Riley Family History, Addendum B, PDF p. 208 208 pages
Happy birthday, Grandad.
The family now
The next pages belong to the family living them
A family history has a place for the people reading it now. These photographs will close the museum with the family in the present day.
The record continues with them.