Albert Riley

Albert Riley Sr.

Joyceann Gray

Quick Facts

Significance:

Nebraska Homesteader

Place of Birth:

Overton, Nebraska

Date of Birth:

30 May 1886

Place of Death:

Denver, Colorado

Date of Death:

06 April 1969

Place of Burial:

North Platte, Nebraska

Cemetery Name:

North Platte Cemetery

Albert F. Riley claimed 632 acres of homestead land in Western Nebraska under the Kincaid Act on June 8, 1907. A Receiver's Duplicate Receipt No. 18851 noted that Riley paid a $14.00 filing fee to set aside the public domain land. Riley's brother George also applied for a homestead in 1907. The brothers were able to acquire adjoining land and raised cattle together just west of the Wamaduze Valley in Cherry County, Nebraska.

Riley worked to settle the land and by September of 1907 he had built a 24x28 sod house. Riley improved the claim with a 22x38 sod stable, hog pasture and pens, granary, cellar, henhouse, well and pump, one mile of 2 wire fence, planted 30 forest trees and cultivated 50 acres for millet, corn, oats, potatoes, and the rest for grazing and making hay; all valued at $1050.

On September 22, 1913, a noticed was published in the Clipper newspaper in Seneca, Nebraska, for five consecutive weeks indicating that Riley had resided on the property for five years and was ready to provide proof before U.S. Commissioner John Jacobsen at the Valentine, Nebraska Land Office. Riley named the following witnesses: Joshua Emanuel, John Williams, Charles H. Meehan, and George T. Brown.

Although Riley named four witnesses, only Joshua Emanuel and John Williams testimonies were taken.  Both supported Riley's claim that only twice he was away working for wages to obtain money to improve his claim. They also mentioned how they passed by most every day and would visit often. During his last time away in 1908, Albert proposed to Leanna V. Goens. She accepted and traveled from West Virginia to Nebraska for their wedding on November 24, 1909.

Riley received land patent #0399804 dated Apr 22, 1914. Riley's brother George recieved patent #04111 in October of the same year for his 640 acres.

Albert, George, and their younger brother William all worked the hometeads as one family operation. William eventually ventured off to become a traveling livestock buyer; Albert and George continued to raise cattle. Late in 1938, Albert Riley’s health took a turn, so he sold his land and his share of the business to his brother George. Riley then went to work as Patrolman and eventually as manager at the Valentine Wildlife Refuge. He would work there until 1969 when he passed away while visiting family in Denver.

Patent Details - BLM GLO Records

~ Contributed by Joyceann Gray, SSG USA RET

Joyceann Gray

More about the contributor: Charlotta Riley-Walker is Great-grandmother to both the Riley’s and Joyceann. Once retired from the Army, Joyceann has devoted much time to family history research and writing. She is the author of; ‘Yes We Remember’ which is devoted to the historical accountings of her ancestors, and ‘DeWitty and Now We Speak’ which is a historical fiction about the women of DeWitty, Nebraska. Joyceann is a Contributing Writer of many Notable African Americans and Ambassadors on BlackPast.org. She holds memberships in local genealogical societies and the Charles Town, WV Researchers. Joyceann was an integral part of the Descendants of DeWitty who not only helped raise money but facilitate the erecting of the Historical marker in honor of the Homesteaders of DeWitty along Hwy 83, near Brownlee, Nebraska, April 2015.