Although his obit states he was the son of Isaiah (#47791642) and Sarah (McClish) McClish, this seems unlikely, and some researchers believe he may actually be their grandson; possible son of their daughter, Sarah (245851614).
Regarding Riley's date and place of birth, I believe it most likely that he was born in 1872, rather than 1868 per his grave marker. Sources give:
b. 1872/3, IN: 1880 census ("Rila", age 7), 1910 census ("Riley", age 37). If born Aug 1872, he would be enumerated as age 7 in 1880 and 37 in 1910.
b. No date in Smithfield, Indiana: 1892 marriage record
b. Aug 1871, IN: 1900 census ("Rila O.", second time we see Rila versus Riley)
b. 1869, IN: 1920 census
b. 12 Aug 1869, DeKalb Co, IN: 1928 death certificate, age 59Y 9M 19D [this age gives born 13 Aug 1868]
b. 1868: Grave inscription and obituary (Aug 12, 1868)
Interesting conflicts or observations:
-Given the first 2 census records give birth between 1871 and 1873, I find those to be a better indicator of his actual birth than later records.
-Sarah and Isaiah had a daughter, Sarah, in 1855/1856. This daughter is enumerated with her parents in 1860 (age 6) and 1870 (age 16). Riley doesn't appear in either. Also, if Riley was born in the 1871-73 range, that would be nearly 20 years between the only known children, with the mother being about 40 for the last. Even if Riley was born in 1868, that would still be 15 years between births.
-Isaiah McClish 1901 obituary states, "He was married to Miss Sarah McClish in 1853, and to this union one child was born, Mrs. Sarah Heckathorn." No mention of a son, Riley.
-Riley's wife, Eva, though they married in 1892, 9 years before Isaiah's death and 16 years before Sarah's, as the informant on Riley's death certificate, "unknown" was entered for parents. Calls into question the accuracy of the birth information.
-Sarah Heckathorn's obituary doesn't mention any offspring, only that husband died 2 years prior.
-Isaiah's obituary states: "He was married to Miss Sarah McClish in 1853, and to this union one child was born, Mrs. Sarah Heckathorn." [Side note: Marriage Records gives married Jan 14, 1854.]
Father of Mary, George W., Arlena, and Irene McClish.
Obituary: (Contributed by Jeri Henderson)
McClish Riley, son of Isaiah and Sarah McClish, was born August 12, 1868, near Waterloo, in Dekalb County, and departed this life June 1, 1928, at the age of 59 years, 9 months and 12 days. He was united in marriage to Eva Snowberger, April 27, 1892. To this union four children were born; Mrs. Mary Shafer, Mrs. Arlene Dove, Mrs. Irene Tiffany and George who is at home. He was a good father and husband and will be greatly missed. He leaves to mourn his going his wife, Eva; four children, Mary, George, Arlene and Irene and six grandchildren. Funeral services were held at Mt. Zion church with burial in Mt. Zion cemetery.
Name appears predominately as "Riley", occasionally "Riley O."; and "Rila" on the 1900 census. Given "Riley" on his grave marker and in newspaper articles, that is used in the name field here.
Updates. Nov 2022 - changed first name "Rila" to Riley, removed nickname field, added source details regarding birth date and parents. Changed dob to 1872 from that shown on grave, 1868.
Regarding Riley's date and place of birth, I believe it most likely that he was born in 1872, rather than 1868 per his grave marker. Sources give:
b. 1872/3, IN: 1880 census ("Rila", age 7), 1910 census ("Riley", age 37). If born Aug 1872, he would be enumerated as age 7 in 1880 and 37 in 1910.
b. No date in Smithfield, Indiana: 1892 marriage record
b. Aug 1871, IN: 1900 census ("Rila O.", second time we see Rila versus Riley)
b. 1869, IN: 1920 census
b. 12 Aug 1869, DeKalb Co, IN: 1928 death certificate, age 59Y 9M 19D [this age gives born 13 Aug 1868]
b. 1868: Grave inscription and obituary (Aug 12, 1868)
Interesting conflicts or observations:
-Given the first 2 census records give birth between 1871 and 1873, I find those to be a better indicator of his actual birth than later records.
-Sarah and Isaiah had a daughter, Sarah, in 1855/1856. This daughter is enumerated with her parents in 1860 (age 6) and 1870 (age 16). Riley doesn't appear in either. Also, if Riley was born in the 1871-73 range, that would be nearly 20 years between the only known children, with the mother being about 40 for the last. Even if Riley was born in 1868, that would still be 15 years between births.
-Isaiah McClish 1901 obituary states, "He was married to Miss Sarah McClish in 1853, and to this union one child was born, Mrs. Sarah Heckathorn." No mention of a son, Riley.
-Riley's wife, Eva, though they married in 1892, 9 years before Isaiah's death and 16 years before Sarah's, as the informant on Riley's death certificate, "unknown" was entered for parents. Calls into question the accuracy of the birth information.
-Sarah Heckathorn's obituary doesn't mention any offspring, only that husband died 2 years prior.
-Isaiah's obituary states: "He was married to Miss Sarah McClish in 1853, and to this union one child was born, Mrs. Sarah Heckathorn." [Side note: Marriage Records gives married Jan 14, 1854.]
Father of Mary, George W., Arlena, and Irene McClish.
Obituary: (Contributed by Jeri Henderson)
McClish Riley, son of Isaiah and Sarah McClish, was born August 12, 1868, near Waterloo, in Dekalb County, and departed this life June 1, 1928, at the age of 59 years, 9 months and 12 days. He was united in marriage to Eva Snowberger, April 27, 1892. To this union four children were born; Mrs. Mary Shafer, Mrs. Arlene Dove, Mrs. Irene Tiffany and George who is at home. He was a good father and husband and will be greatly missed. He leaves to mourn his going his wife, Eva; four children, Mary, George, Arlene and Irene and six grandchildren. Funeral services were held at Mt. Zion church with burial in Mt. Zion cemetery.
Name appears predominately as "Riley", occasionally "Riley O."; and "Rila" on the 1900 census. Given "Riley" on his grave marker and in newspaper articles, that is used in the name field here.
Updates. Nov 2022 - changed first name "Rila" to Riley, removed nickname field, added source details regarding birth date and parents. Changed dob to 1872 from that shown on grave, 1868.
Although his obit states he was the son of Isaiah (#47791642) and Sarah (McClish) McClish, this seems unlikely, and some researchers believe he may actually be their grandson; possible son of their daughter, Sarah (245851614).
Regarding Riley's date and place of birth, I believe it most likely that he was born in 1872, rather than 1868 per his grave marker. Sources give:
b. 1872/3, IN: 1880 census ("Rila", age 7), 1910 census ("Riley", age 37). If born Aug 1872, he would be enumerated as age 7 in 1880 and 37 in 1910.
b. No date in Smithfield, Indiana: 1892 marriage record
b. Aug 1871, IN: 1900 census ("Rila O.", second time we see Rila versus Riley)
b. 1869, IN: 1920 census
b. 12 Aug 1869, DeKalb Co, IN: 1928 death certificate, age 59Y 9M 19D [this age gives born 13 Aug 1868]
b. 1868: Grave inscription and obituary (Aug 12, 1868)
Interesting conflicts or observations:
-Given the first 2 census records give birth between 1871 and 1873, I find those to be a better indicator of his actual birth than later records.
-Sarah and Isaiah had a daughter, Sarah, in 1855/1856. This daughter is enumerated with her parents in 1860 (age 6) and 1870 (age 16). Riley doesn't appear in either. Also, if Riley was born in the 1871-73 range, that would be nearly 20 years between the only known children, with the mother being about 40 for the last. Even if Riley was born in 1868, that would still be 15 years between births.
-Isaiah McClish 1901 obituary states, "He was married to Miss Sarah McClish in 1853, and to this union one child was born, Mrs. Sarah Heckathorn." No mention of a son, Riley.
-Riley's wife, Eva, though they married in 1892, 9 years before Isaiah's death and 16 years before Sarah's, as the informant on Riley's death certificate, "unknown" was entered for parents. Calls into question the accuracy of the birth information.
-Sarah Heckathorn's obituary doesn't mention any offspring, only that husband died 2 years prior.
-Isaiah's obituary states: "He was married to Miss Sarah McClish in 1853, and to this union one child was born, Mrs. Sarah Heckathorn." [Side note: Marriage Records gives married Jan 14, 1854.]
Father of Mary, George W., Arlena, and Irene McClish.
Obituary: (Contributed by Jeri Henderson)
McClish Riley, son of Isaiah and Sarah McClish, was born August 12, 1868, near Waterloo, in Dekalb County, and departed this life June 1, 1928, at the age of 59 years, 9 months and 12 days. He was united in marriage to Eva Snowberger, April 27, 1892. To this union four children were born; Mrs. Mary Shafer, Mrs. Arlene Dove, Mrs. Irene Tiffany and George who is at home. He was a good father and husband and will be greatly missed. He leaves to mourn his going his wife, Eva; four children, Mary, George, Arlene and Irene and six grandchildren. Funeral services were held at Mt. Zion church with burial in Mt. Zion cemetery.
Name appears predominately as "Riley", occasionally "Riley O."; and "Rila" on the 1900 census. Given "Riley" on his grave marker and in newspaper articles, that is used in the name field here.
Updates. Nov 2022 - changed first name "Rila" to Riley, removed nickname field, added source details regarding birth date and parents. Changed dob to 1872 from that shown on grave, 1868.
Regarding Riley's date and place of birth, I believe it most likely that he was born in 1872, rather than 1868 per his grave marker. Sources give:
b. 1872/3, IN: 1880 census ("Rila", age 7), 1910 census ("Riley", age 37). If born Aug 1872, he would be enumerated as age 7 in 1880 and 37 in 1910.
b. No date in Smithfield, Indiana: 1892 marriage record
b. Aug 1871, IN: 1900 census ("Rila O.", second time we see Rila versus Riley)
b. 1869, IN: 1920 census
b. 12 Aug 1869, DeKalb Co, IN: 1928 death certificate, age 59Y 9M 19D [this age gives born 13 Aug 1868]
b. 1868: Grave inscription and obituary (Aug 12, 1868)
Interesting conflicts or observations:
-Given the first 2 census records give birth between 1871 and 1873, I find those to be a better indicator of his actual birth than later records.
-Sarah and Isaiah had a daughter, Sarah, in 1855/1856. This daughter is enumerated with her parents in 1860 (age 6) and 1870 (age 16). Riley doesn't appear in either. Also, if Riley was born in the 1871-73 range, that would be nearly 20 years between the only known children, with the mother being about 40 for the last. Even if Riley was born in 1868, that would still be 15 years between births.
-Isaiah McClish 1901 obituary states, "He was married to Miss Sarah McClish in 1853, and to this union one child was born, Mrs. Sarah Heckathorn." No mention of a son, Riley.
-Riley's wife, Eva, though they married in 1892, 9 years before Isaiah's death and 16 years before Sarah's, as the informant on Riley's death certificate, "unknown" was entered for parents. Calls into question the accuracy of the birth information.
-Sarah Heckathorn's obituary doesn't mention any offspring, only that husband died 2 years prior.
-Isaiah's obituary states: "He was married to Miss Sarah McClish in 1853, and to this union one child was born, Mrs. Sarah Heckathorn." [Side note: Marriage Records gives married Jan 14, 1854.]
Father of Mary, George W., Arlena, and Irene McClish.
Obituary: (Contributed by Jeri Henderson)
McClish Riley, son of Isaiah and Sarah McClish, was born August 12, 1868, near Waterloo, in Dekalb County, and departed this life June 1, 1928, at the age of 59 years, 9 months and 12 days. He was united in marriage to Eva Snowberger, April 27, 1892. To this union four children were born; Mrs. Mary Shafer, Mrs. Arlene Dove, Mrs. Irene Tiffany and George who is at home. He was a good father and husband and will be greatly missed. He leaves to mourn his going his wife, Eva; four children, Mary, George, Arlene and Irene and six grandchildren. Funeral services were held at Mt. Zion church with burial in Mt. Zion cemetery.
Name appears predominately as "Riley", occasionally "Riley O."; and "Rila" on the 1900 census. Given "Riley" on his grave marker and in newspaper articles, that is used in the name field here.
Updates. Nov 2022 - changed first name "Rila" to Riley, removed nickname field, added source details regarding birth date and parents. Changed dob to 1872 from that shown on grave, 1868.
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