Matson Riley came across the Virginia Mountains (Loudoun County) to the Little Kanawha Valley, in what is now Wood County. His father and mother were both of Irish descent. One member of the family expresses it thus - The "Rileys came from North Ireland, where Rileys were so thick you couldn't throw up a potato without it hitting a Riley when it fell". He is presumed to be a descendant of either John or Robert Riley, two brothers who came to America, and probably located first in Virginia.
Matson Riley was a farmer, a blacksmith, and a member of the Baptist Church. He died in Jackson County, Ohio, at the age of ninety three years. He married Mary Dye, and they raised a large family. Their children were:
Joshua Riley, a Baptist minister.
John Riley.
Robert R. Riley, the founder of the Riley family.
Amos Riley.
George Riley.
Margaret Riley married George Bennett, moved to Ohio.
Mary Riley married Samuel King.
Hannah Riley married Zachariah Hickman.
Caroline Riley married Calvin Staats.
Robert R. Riley, with John and Amos, are the members of the family who came to Jackson County. He was born March 21st, 1812, and died in 1899. He came to Jackson county in 1830. He married Elizabeth Cleek, who died at the age of fifty eight years.
They raised a large family of children, among them were:
James Riley.
John H. Riley.
Mary E. Riley married George Rankin.
W. W. (Wirt) Riley. Attended a University, where he studied law, and was admitted to the bar in 1873. He married Laura V, daughter of J. L. Armstrong.
Hester A. Riley married George McCoy.
R. R. Riley.
Emma P. Riley married D. B. Dawkins.
Peter M. Riley.
https://www.wvgenweb.org/jackson/JohnHouse/heart.htm
