Background
He was born in 1875, the son of Millard Fillmore Riley (1850–1927) and Martha Wayne (Wands) Riley (1849–1922). Millard Riley was born in Brooklyn, and later moved Olean, Cattaraugus County, New New York
politician member of the New York State Senate
He was born in 1875, the son of Millard Fillmore Riley (1850–1927) and Martha Wayne (Wands) Riley (1849–1922). Millard Riley was born in Brooklyn, and later moved Olean, Cattaraugus County, New New York
There he opened with his bother-in-law Charles R. Wands in 1882 a retail grocery, in 1887 a wholesale grocery, and later also a cold storage building. James Riley took over the management of the company after his father"s death, and retired from business in 1948. In August 1942, when running for re-nomination, he was defeated in the Republican primary election by George H. Pierce.
He died on July 23, 1954, in Olean General Hospital in Olean, New New York
And was buried at the Mount View Cemetery there.
Riley was a member of the New York State Assembly (Cattaraugus Company) in 1931, 1932, 1933, 1934, 1935, 1936, 1937 and 1938. And was Chairman of the Committee on Military Affairs from 1937 to 1938. He was a member of the New York State Senate (51st Doctorate) from 1939 to 1942, sitting in the 162nd and 163rd New York State Legislatures.