C. C. Riley

C. C. Riley was born in Tennessee, February 9, 1818. He is a son of Stephen Riley, who was a native of South Carolina, and was of Irish ancestry. His mother, Nancy (Walker) Riley, was the daughter of Rev. West Walker, a Baptist minister of Tennessee. C. C. Riley was the fourth of a family of ten children, five of whom are living. He was reared and educated in Tennessee and Missouri, and when he became a man he purchased a farm of 161 acres in the latter State, and was engaged in agricultural pursuits there for seven or eight years. In 1853 he sold out and went to Oregon. He there improved 160 acres of land, on which he lived until 1869, when he again sold out and located in San Luis Obispo County, California. In 1872 he came to Ventura County, bought a Government claim, built a good home and planted trees. The location of this ranch is a fine one. Looking at it from the highway, it presents and inviting and home-like appearance, and plainly indicates the industry and thrift of the owner. Mr. Riley's son, West, is conducting the farming operations, and is a most industrious and worthy man.

    Mr. Riley was married in 1843, to Miss Sarah Loveall, a native of Kentucky, and daughter of Abraham Loveall, a Baptist minister. Mr. and Mrs. Riley have had a family of nine children, six of whom are living, viz.: West, Stephen A. Douglas,  George B. McClellan, Lucinda, Rachel and Nancy Jane.

    At the age of thirty years Mr. Riley was ordained as a Baptist minister, and has been an efficient laborer in the vineyard of the Lord. Recently, on account of advanced age and ill health, he only preaches occasionally. He was the organizer of the first Baptist Church in San Luis Obispo, and has been a leader in many revival meetings. Through his instrumentality many souls have been lead to accept the offers of salvation and obey the Lord's command. Mr. Riley's political views are Democratic.

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