Person:James Riel (3)

BIOGRAPHY: JAMES E. RIAL is a worthy representative of a patriotic and soldierly family. The family history is one of loyalty. They have ever freely given of their best and dearest to aid their native land in her agonized struggles for liberty. "Life for a life" in their bible was interpreted as the life of the hero for the existence of his country; and nobly did this pioneer family answer to the call for volunteers. Isaac Rial was born in New Jersey, and the blood of Scottish patriots coursed through his veins. Isaac was a prosperous planter before the Revolution, having been among the first to shoulder arms in that mighty struggle, and the last to lay them down after twelve years upon the battle field. Isaac was the father of five children. Daniel Rial, the oldest son of Isaac, was born in 1796, in the State of New Jersey, and when the war of 1812 opened was too young to enlist. But "we are the same that our fathers have been," and the soldier spirit of Daniel's ancestors was burning with unquenchable fire in the bosom of the child. Daniel volunteered to help build the fortifications at New York, and was permitted to assist in that task. Daniel well remembered seeing the entrance of the British fleet into New York harbor. Daniel's mother, worthy of her warrior son and husband, bound up the wounds of the American soldiers. After the war the lad returned to the farm, and devoted his time to agricultural pursuits. In 1820 Daniel chose a wife in the person of Susan Allfree, who was born in 1801, in Carroll township, Washington Co., Penn. Daniel settled on a farm in the district known as the Dutch settlement, in the same township, and lived there till his death, in 1880, when, in the fullness of a ripe and honored age, he went down to the grave, esteemed by all who knew him. Eleven children were born to them(Daniel and Susan), of whom the following are yet living: Allfree H., Isaac T., Susan, Katherine (living in Ohio), Joseph Y. (in Missouri), Daniel E. (in Westmoreland county, Penn.), and James E. (in Nottingham township). The father (Daniel) was a devout Christian gentleman. Daniel was a member of the Baptist Church for over sixty years, and helped to organize one of the first congregations of that denomination and build one of the first churches in the Monongahela Valley. Susan, his wife, was a daughter of John and Hettie Foster Allfree. They(John and Hettie Foster Allfree) were among the first settlers along the Monongahela river. The Allfrees raised a family of nine children eight daughters and one son. Abraham, the son, moved to Iowa, where he died at the age of eighty-six years, leaving an influence for good. Abraham Allfree was an active worker in the Methodist Church for sixty years, and held an exhorter's license for most of that time. Abraham was always able to help the needy, and did much in the way of benevolence. Susan, the widow of Daniel Rial, who is in her ninety-second year, is living with her son, James E. Rial. Susan has been a member of the Baptist Church for more than seventy years. James E. Rial was born December 31, 1810 (? date does not match census), in Carroll township, Washington county, receiving a good education in the schools of the vicinity. The war of the rebellion broke out in the midst of his school years. James E. enlisted September 26, 1862, under Capt. J. Y. Chesrown, in Company D, Ringgold Cavalry, which was soon after consolidated with the Twenty-second P. V. Cavalry, his company being then Company E, of said regiment. The regiment was commanded by Col. Greenfield, of Washington county. Mr. Rial was with the regiment in many prominent engagements: in the noted battle of Gettysburg, in command of a detachment of cavalry; under Gen. Lew Wallace, at Monocacy river; he was with Sheridan in his famous campaign in the Shenandoah Valley, which meant fighting from Harper's Ferry to Richmond, and in the memorable battle of Winchester where thousands were killed. James E.'s regiment, led by Col. Greenfield, charged the fortifications, capturing a piece of artillery and many prisoners. Two days later Sheridan attacked Early at Fisher's Hill. Sheridan's squadron, Companies E and F, charged the rifle- pits, with loss; in this charge a ball passed through his coat; the squadron dismounted to hold their position. In the grand and final charge, along the whole line, his squadron charged on foot. Sheridan, with Col. Greenfield and Jacob Wise, of Company F, and William Starr, of Company E, were among the first inside the fortifications. One month later came the battle of Cedar Creek, during which Sheridan made his famous ride. It was one of the hardest-fought battles of the war. James E.'s regiment was in that great charge, which gave victory to the Union boys. James E.'s horse fell in that engagement, injuring his right leg. Numerous were the hardships which he encountered, best known to the soldier. James E. was promoted from the ranks to orderly sergeant, and received his discharge July 5, 1865. Leaving the scenes of carnage for the peaceful pursuits of rural life, Mr. James E. Rial settled on a farm in Washington county. He was married November 1, 1871, to Anna A. Bryant, a native of this county, daughter of James M. Bryant and Sarah Curry Bryant. James M. Bryant and Sarah Curry Bryant had three children: William C., Moore M. and Anna A. Mr. Bryant was a prosperous farmer. He was a ruling elder in the U. P. Church for forty years, and a man of honor and integrity. He died in 1880, aged seventy-nine. The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. James E. Rial has been blessed by four children, two of whom are living: Susie S. and Lizzie A. Both are in school, Susie attending school at Pittsburgh, Penn. Mr. James E. Rial has a very desirable home, and takes great pleasure in his fine fruit and thoroughbred Jersey cattle. He has belonged to the Prohibition party for eleven years. He is an honorable gentleman, a reader well posted on the events of the day, and takes an active part in all moral movements. He and his family are members of the first Presbyterian Church of Finleyville. -Text taken from page 459 of: Beers, J. H. and Co., Commemorative Biographical Record of Washington County, Pennsylvania (Chicago: J. H. Beers & Co., 1893).

• • some personal pronouns replaced with names for clarity.