The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1899-02-17
DEATH OF MIR. JOHN RILEY.
Few Men Were Held in Higher Es-
TEEN and Respect.

Mr.. John Riley died at his home, No.
12S Aberoorn street yesterday morning at
O'Clock. II had been known for several
days that his condition was serious, and
his death therefore was not a surprise.
There had, however, been an apparent i'm
proyement in his condition wednesday af-
ternoon and his death was more sudden
than had been expected by the members
of his household.
The deceased who was Familiarity known
as Capt. john Riley, was one of the best
known and most universally respected
citizens of Savannah and his death is deep
iy regretted by the many who knew him
on the most intimate terms. No man held
in a higher degree the confidence and es-
tenn Of larger circle of friends. His
popularity was not recent or temporary
but was founded upon the conf
deuce in which he was held by those with
whom ne had associated for years. Hon
est John Riley many called him and his
conscientiousuess, not only in financial
matters, but IN the discharge of every
duty imposed upon him fully merited the
title A Northern man, a Union soldier
and a Republican in politics, no one was
held in higher esteem by the business men
of the city and had it been left 10 them
he would have remained in the service Of
the gOvernment in which he was an Off
cial for many years. TO the day of his
death, without regard to political changes.
The deceased was a native Of Canada,
but resided in Northern New York pre-
vious to the war. He enlisted Nov. Is.
1864, as private In Company f, Fifteenth
United States Infantry, and was dlscharg
ed Nov. o. 1867 as commissary sergeant
of the Thirty-third United States Infan-
try. the Fifteenth having been consoh-
dated with the Thirty-third. He came
South in the early seventies as the travel
ing representative of a Northern house.
While IN Macon his firm failed and he Sc
cured an appointment as deputy internal
revenue collector. In 1873 he was appoint
ed boarding officer and customs inspector
by Collector James Atkins, which position
he held for twenty years until the APP
pointment of Collector J. F. b. Beckwith
by the Cleveland administration when he
rendered his resignation. He then enter
ed the real estate and collecting business
and In a short time built up a large pa
tronage.
The deceased was prominent In Masonic
circles He was a member of Zerubbabel
Lodge of MasOns and secretary of the
lodge at the time of his death; recorder
Of Alpha Lodge OF the Scottish Rite; a
member OF Palestine Commandery OF the
Knights Templar, and of Alec Temple
of the Mystic ShrineTs. He was also a
member of DeKalb Lodge of Odd Fellows,
and for a number of years was treasurer
Of the Metropolitan Hall Association. He
was also treasurer of the Union Society.
The funeral will take place this after
noon at $3.50 O'Clock from his late resi-
dence at No. 129 Abercorn street and will
be attended by the Masonic and other
societies of which he was a member. Rev.
Charles II. Strong of st. Johns Church.
will conduct the services at the house.
The Knights Templar will have charge Of
the services II the grave, the prelate of
the cOmmandery, Rev, J. Y. Fair, offci-
ating.
The deceased was in his 54th year and
from his hearty physique might have been
expected TO live many years longer His
death was due to an attack of the grip
following exposure in rain storm
about six weeks ago. Complications af-
feoting the heart followed resulting in his
death. For the last three weeks he had
been confined TO his bed. He leaves
wife, but no other relatives in Savannah.
OF the number OF good men who have re-
Gently been called to their rest there are
none whose death viii be more sincerely
regretted than that of Capt. John Riley.