Career
He was the first Civil War mayor of Saint Louis and he became the first mayor elected for a two-year term under the new City Charter of 1859. As mayor, he headed the movement for arousing and consolidating union sentiment as the chairman for the Committee of Public Safety. The Fire Alarm Telegraph System was completed and put into use during his term in office.
Filley died August 21, 1881 in Hampton, New Hampshire.
Interment was in Bellefontaine Cemetery.