James Martin Riley

Born: 1878

History

“James Martin Riley was the first of five children born to James Henry and Sarah Ipson Riley. All were born at Beaver, with the exception of the next brother, George, who was born just following the difficult Hole in the Rock expedition, in which the family had just taken part. Like in other accounts, as James was a toddler on this journey, keeping him away from dangers must have taxed his expectant mother’s faith and patience. His father was one of the thirtee advance scouts who sought out a route from Cottonwood Canyon to the San Juan. James’ first birthday took place in Bluff, which celebration was almost immediately followed by George’s birth.

The Rileys did not remain in Bluff, but returned to Beaver before December of 1882 when little sisters, Jane (1882), Dorothy (1885) and Sarah (1887) were born. George died in 1883, and their father died in 1888, leaving Mother, Sarah, a widow with four children under 10. Sarah’s sister, Mary Ipson Woolsey, died in 1889, and Sarah cared for her two surviving children. The two bereft parents married in 1892 giving James two immediate brothers, ages eleven and nine. Sarah and David M Woolsey then added six more to their combined family. David Woolsey (Wolsey in 1910 Census) was a sheepherder.”

Family Search:
James Martin Riley on FamilySearch