Source: "Portrait and Biographical Record - Published 1894 by Excelsior Publishing Co., Chicago" Pages 321

Lawrence Reiley has been a resident of this county since 1847, when he located on section 34 in the town of Mitchell, which has ever since been his home. He is a native of the Emerald Isle born August 10, 1717 in County Meath, and is a son of John and Mary O'Reiley. The mother died in the Old Country, and the father came to America and made his home with his son where he died.

Lawrence Reiley was reared and educated in his native country and on reaching manhood wedded Miss Margaret Farley. The date of the celebration of their marriage was May 1 1844. Mrs. Reiley was a native of the same town and county as her husband, and a daughter of Patrick and Margaret (Ward) Farley.

On the 6th of May 1846, Mr. Reiley sailed from Liverpool for New York arriving in the latter place June 12th. He first worked in brick yards on the Hudson River but in the fall went to work in the iron works at West Point. In 1847 he came West on a steamer to Milwaukee coming from that point to Sheboygan County where on July 8, 1847 he entered four eighties there in Mitchell and one in Scott Township. The latter was taken for his brother, but the former has been his home since. The land was in its natural state covered with heavy forests but our pioneer was not daunted by the outlook. With a will to succeed and energy to execute he was made out of the wilderness a beautiful farm now under a good state of cultivation and with the necessary buildings thereon.

Mr. and Mrs. Reiley have been blessed with a large family, they have seven children living and having lost six. John married Catherine Gorgan and resides in the town of Scott. Michael wedded Mary Martin and is a resident of the same town. Mary became the wife of John F. Murray, of Scott. Thomas chose Agnes Murray for a companion and resides in Ft. Howard. Margaret is the wife of John Henry of the town of Mitchell: Ann became the wife of John Kelly of Lyndon; Lawrence died at the age of fifteen years; Elizabeth died at the age of eighteen years; Catherine died when eleven years old; Philip died aged nine; Rose Ellen died at five years of age; Rosa died at the age of two years and Jamie the youngest is at home.

In his political views, Mr. Reiley is a reliable Democrat and in religious faith he and his wife are consistent members of the Catholic Church.

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