Rev. Gerard W. Riley (1813-1881)

Illustration of Rev. G. W. Riley from "Early History and Pioneers of Champaign County," by Milton W. Mathews. 

Illustration of Rev. G. W. Riley's residence from the 1863 Bowman map. His residence was on the West end of S. Main St. 

Rev. Gerard W. Riley was born in Clermont County, Ohio, on September 2, 1813. He married Bethire McClain in June of 1833. He received his official license to preach the Gospel in November 1836. Riley wanted a formal education at a college and learned the cabinet maker's trade to obtain the funds for such a venture. He would oversee various churches while making cabinets in his free time. 

He saved enough to take his family to Granville College until the church called him to become a pastor in Bloomfield. He was a well-traveled pastor, ministering and traveling over 1200 miles yearly. In 1859, he accepted the pastorate of the Baptist Church in Urbana, where he ministered for 11 years. In 1870, he went to Champaign to take charge of the church there. He oversaw the church's building and even donated some of his salary to its creation. 

He helped start several churches in the Midwest, especially in Illinois. Community members described him as a determined individual who labored for most of his life. He died in Urbana on August 18, 1881.