John was born on December 22, 1833 in Quebec, Canada, the son of John and Amanda (Sanderson) Riley. John had two half brothers; James A, and David A,

On September 15, 1859 in Elgin, Ontario, he married Dorotha Best. In the 1861 Canadian Census, John is twenty eight. He is living in Elgin, Ontario with the Best Family and his wife.  In the 1870 Federal Census, John and Dorothy are living in Burnside, Michigan. They have one daughter whose name is Mary A. Riley. She was born in January of 1861. On October 9, 1873, a second daughter was born.  Her name was Myrtle Riley.  She died on October 28, 1873. In the 1880 Federal Census, John, Dorothy and their daughter Mary are found in Burnside. He is a farmer.

One hundred and thirty-three years ago, John Riley died in Burnside, Michigan. He is buried in the Fox Farm Cemetery near Burnside, Michigan.

Rest in peace, John

Love, Jan

John was the husband of my first cousin five times removed.