Born in Holmes county, Ohio, on the 1st of March, 1845. He commenced his schooling when he was but seven years of age. He remained at the district school until he was twelve years of age, at which time he entered the high school at Columbus City, Iowa, his father having removed to Iowa in 1853, settling in Louisa county. Lewis remained at this high school for four years, when he returned to his father's farm and remained there for two years, working and superintending its business, at the end of which time he went to the public school at Mount Pleasant, Iowa, for a short time, and from here he proceeded to Poughkeepsie, New York, where he attended a commercial college. From here he came to Galesburg, Illinois, and entered Knox College, and then returned to Iowa and commenced teaching school, which he continued to do until January, 1870, giving also much of his time to the private study of law. About this time he was elected superintendent of the public schools of Louisa county, which position he held for two years. He concluded the study of law in the office of D. N. Sprague, of Wapello, and was admitted to the bar in April, 1871. He formed a co-partnership with his tutor under the firm name Sprague and Riley. On the 24th of April, 1872, Mr. Riley was married to Miss Carrie Newill, of Fredonia, Louisa county. Mr. Riley is a staunch republican in politics, and an equally staunch Universalist in religion.

Born in Holmes county, Ohio, on the 1st of March, 1845. He commenced his schooling when he was but seven years of age. He remained at the district school until he was twelve years of age, at which time he entered the high school at Columbus City, Iowa, his father having removed to Iowa in 1853, settling in Louisa county. Lewis remained at this high school for four years, when he returned to his father's farm and remained there for two years, working and superintending its business, at the end of which time he went to the public school at Mount Pleasant, Iowa, for a short time, and from here he proceeded to Poughkeepsie, New York, where he attended a commercial college. From here he came to Galesburg, Illinois, and entered Knox College, and then returned to Iowa and commenced teaching school, which he continued to do until January, 1870, giving also much of his time to the private study of law. About this time he was elected superintendent of the public schools of Louisa county, which position he held for two years. He concluded the study of law in the office of D. N. Sprague, of Wapello, and was admitted to the bar in April, 1871. He formed a co-partnership with his tutor under the firm name Sprague and Riley. On the 24th of April, 1872, Mr. Riley was married to Miss Carrie Newill, of Fredonia, Louisa county. Mr. Riley is a staunch republican in politics, and an equally staunch Universalist in religion.