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Last updated: 30 Jul 2011
J. F. RILEY, A.M., LL.D. who occupies a foremost position among the educators of the city of Binghamton, N. Y., is the founder and Principal of the Riley Business College, located on State Street---an institution in which the most practical commercial training and complete education in stenography, typewriting, and a thorough English course can be obtained.
J. F. Riley was born at Owego, N. Y., September 7, 1860, son of Patrick and Ann Riley. The gift of teaching and the love of literature is an ancestral trait in the family of Professor Riley, whose mother and grandmother were highly educated women and able instructors in their day. So much stress is laid at present on the subject of lineage that a brief historical sketch of the family will prove interesting to the readers of this book.
His great-great-grandfather, Daniel Davis, was a Captain in the English army, and was sent to Ireland with his regiment to assist in quelling the Rebellion of 1798. He saw much active service while there, and, being pleased with the country, sold his commission, and settled on a beautiful estate he purchased near Ballymagoovrn, where he resided until his death. His family consisted of two daughters and a son, the latter being of a very delicate constitution. Daniel Davis, fearing his son would never live to reach manhood, and that the estate would fall into other hands, gave orders before his own death that his remains should be buried under a large ash-tree which stood in the centre of the lawn, so that the place should never be without the name of Davis. But, although his wish in the matter of his burial was carried out, there were plenty of living representatives afterward of the name of Davis; for, despite his delicacy, the son Edward lived to a good round age, and left a large family of sons and daughters. One of these daughters, Elizabeth, married William Taylor, who owned an estate in the vicinity. From this union was born Mary Taylor, who became the grandmother of the subject of this sketch. She was considered the handsomest young lady in that part of the country. If a little vein of romance runs through the Professor's family, it may be traced to this same Mary Taylor, who, to the great indignation of her relatives, eloped with a Roman Catholic, by name James O'Reilly. Her people professed the Protestant religion, and resented so strongly the act of Mary that it is said her father started in hot pursuit with gun in hand, as if determined to shoot his daughter at sight. But, like "young Lochinvar," the gallant O'Reilly made good his escape, and reached a place of safety with his pretty bride. The Davis and Taylor families were all loyal subjects of England, the men of the former name serving with distinction under Wellington at Waterloo, and the grandfather Taylor being an official of the crown for several years in Ireland. They were highly respected, and classed among the best people in England and Ireland. The great-great-grandfather O'Reilly was an ardent patriot of the Irish cause, and in the Rebellion of 1798 was opposed in combat to the very officer whose grand-daughter afterward eloped with his grandson, James O'Reilly.
Patrick Riley was born in Ireland, and came to America while quite a young man, being well educated as well as industrious and energetic. He was Superintendent of Construction on the Erie Railway, and resided in Owego, N. Y., on the spot now occupied by the Southern Central Depot. He became owner of a large amount of property, and was an influential and respected citizen of that place, where he died May 6, 1876. His wife, whose maiden name was Ann O'Reilly, died December 15, 1892.
Professor Riley received his early education in the district schools of Bradford County, Pennsylvania, afterward studying at the old academy in Owego, N. Y. At his father's death, although then quite young, he started out for himself, first learning stenography at the Wyckoff Institute in Ithaca, N. Y. He soon became an adept in this art and in typewriting, and secured a position as official stenographer of the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Railroad. He was sent West with the Construction Corps, his headquarters being at the various places where the department was stationed. Ever anxious for higher education, he availed himself of the facilities afforded by the colleges of those places. Thus, while at Emporia, Kan., he studied at the Normal School; when at Las Vegas, N. M., attended the Jesuit College; at Santa Fe, the School of the Christian Brothers; and finally, at the College of Mines, City of Mexico, Old Mexico, was graduated, and received his degree of A. M.
Professor Riley returned East in 1880, and entered the Lowell Business College of Binghamton as a teacher, remaining there one year, and then went to the famous Jesuit College of St. John's at Fordham, N. Y., where he was four years Principal of the Commercial Department and teacher of stenography. His superior talent and ability attracted the attention of not only the professors of the institution, but also of the bishop and reverend clergymen of New York City; and he counts to-day among his warmest friends the leading men of his church in that city. In 1886 he once more returned to Binghamton, and opened the business college which bears his name. His first location was at No. 76 Court Street; but, requiring more room, he removed to the McNamara Block, and after a short while there he established himself in the elegant rooms in the Westcott Block on State Street, where he occupies eighteen hundred square feet of space, and has one of the best fitted commercial colleges in any part of the country. All the modern conveniences of steam heat, electric lights, elevator, good light, and ventilation can be found here.
Believing with Pope that
"A little learning is a dangerous thing:
Drink deep, or taste not the Pierian spring."
the Professor allows no pupil to leave his college with a superficial knowledge of his different branches. What they learn they must know thoroughly and well, or they get no certificate to aid in securing positions. He gives his personal attention to all his classes, employing only such assistants as are absolutely necessary and whom he considers competent to give instruction. The majority of his graduates are natives of Binghamton, though he has hundreds of pupils from other places. The New York State and National Civil Service Commissions consider Professor Riley a model teacher, his scholars having passed every examination they have ever entered. In the different departments at Washington, in the New York State Civil Service, in New York City and Chicago, besides other cities, the pupils of the Riley Business College are to be found; and they point with pride to the thorough teaching there as the secret of the success they have met in their different positions. The Typewriting Department of the college has twelve standard machines, which the students keep in constant use from 8 A.M. until 9 P.M. A great deal of work is done for outside parties in the city and county, and for all this the students receive full compensation. In 1892 they wrote over one hundred thousand form letters for the Binghamton Wagon Company, besides doing a vast amount of stenographic work for many business firms. This college, which is a marked exception to the unworthy concerns which are a blot and shadow upon the field of commercial instruction, deserves to be commended for its genuine merit, trustworthiness, and its superiority as a high-grade institution of learning.
Professor J. F. Riley was married on October 15, 1888, to Miss Minnie B. Olds, of Binghamton. Her father, Spencer Olds, is an old resident of this city and a veteran of the late war, crippled in his country's service. One child, William H. Riley, a bright and intelligent boy, has been born to Mr. and Mrs. Riley. The family are members of St. Patrick's Church of Binghamton.
Professor Riley has acted in the capacity of Assistant Examiner for the Civil Service Commission at various times. As a finished penman, he has no superior---a fact which is admitted by all the business men of his city. In his large school each pupil finds him a personal friend as well as teacher; and he evinces a father's interest in securing for them the best possible positions, which does not end there, but also looks after their welfare even when they are beyond his care. Kind-hearted, courteous, and agreeable, Professor Riley is a thorough gentleman of the genuine type.
Source: pages 501-504.
ADDISON ROSELLE, a respected citizen of the town of Union, N. Y., was born here, December 19, 1857. His grandfather was one of the pioneers of this portion of Broome County, and settled here when farms could not be bought ready for cultivation, the purchaser having to take land with its virgin growth of timber upon it, and go through all the labor of felling trees and hauling logs before his homestead could be staked out. The elder Roselle was a stone-mason, and followed that trade in connection with his farming for many years. Later he removed to Steuben County, where he died. Charles Roselle, a son of the emigrant, came with him from Dutchess County to Union, and resided there, carrying on farming until his death. He married Miss Olive Burr; and to them were born five children --- Emeline, Margaret, Charles, Josiah, and Addison. The mother is still alive, at the age of seventy-eight, and active and energetic for her years.
Addison, who was the youngest of the family, received his education in the fine district schools of his town, and at twenty-one years of age purchased a farm adjoining his father's, where he lived for a while, and later bought the one he now occupies. All his life Mr. Roselle has been an industrious and hard-working man; and his present prosperity is owing to his own labor and foresight. In 1880 he married Miss Gertrude Phelps, of Susquehanna County, daughter of Nathaniel and Sarah (Grimes) Phelps. Mr. and Mrs. Roselle have become the parents of four children; namely, Angie, Charlie, Ernest, and Albert.
Mr. Roselle is a respected member of the Methodist Episcopal church of this town, taking an earnest and sincere interest in everything pertaining to the moral and spiritual advancement of the community. He has in his comparatively short life seen many changes in his town, school buildings, churches, and thrifty homes having been erected on all sides where once was only a wilderness. No section of the country can boast of finer or more beautiful farms than those which, like immense gardens, dot the landscape of Broome County. Among these it needs only a glance at the farm of Mr. Roselle to indicate the industry and perseverance with which he has labored to build up a homestead. The improvements have been effected by his own excellent judgment and unwearied labor, and they will long stand as a monument of his ambition and energy. He is a man of pleasing social qualities, having the esteem and confidence of his friends and neighbors. He is one of the warmest supporters of the Republican party, actively engaging in politics whenever it seems necessary in its interests. It is only right to say that no more honorable or patriotic citizen does his duty at the polls than Mr. Roselle. He has been nobly seconded in his upright and useful life by his estimable wife, the presiding genius of the well-ordered home.
Source: pages 699-700.
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