My Genealogy Hound

SAMUEL BRILEY, farmer, Sec. 3; P. O. Farmer City; born in Sumner Co., Tenn., April 10, 1833. His father, James Briley, was born in South Carolina; he was one of the patriots of the war of 1812; was in many battles, among which was the battle of New Orleans, under Gen Jackson. He located in Tennessee, among the Indians and wild beasts, about 1816, and, about this date was married to Jane Bundy. She was born in Wilson Co., Tenn. They were the parents of nine children, five are now living. Mrs. Briley died in Sumner Co., Tenn., in Mr. Briley still lives upon the old place, where he has lived for a period of sixty-four years. The subject of this sketch was brought up to farm labor until 21 years of age when he started out to seek his fortune, coming to Illinois in 1854. He located in Marion Co., and upon his arrival, his capital consisted of his few clothes tied up in a pocket-handkerchief. Here he was employed as farm laborer for five years. He then followed farming for himself for six years in Marion Co., during which time he had paid for eighty acres of land, which he then sold for $1,100, and, in 1865, he came to McLean Co. and purchased one hundred acres of land, where he now lives, and upon which he has good buildings. Mr. Briley has suffered much loss from different causes, among which we mention the loss of his dwelling, with furniture, and all of the clothing of the family, in 1865. In 1869, he lost all his horses, thereby meeting with a loss of upward of $500; and, in 1875, he lost seventy-five hogs, being the whole amount of his stock at that time. For five years, on account of sickness, he was unable to perform any labor upon his farm, being attended by five different physicians. Upon the 10th day of March, 1859, he was united in marriage with Ann E. Burford. She was born in Harrison Co., Ind., Dec. 4, 1836. They have three children now living by this union — Burford L., born June 29, 1860; Elmer Ellsworth, Jan. 14, 1862; and Carrie May, June 8, 1868. Mrs. Briley is a daughter of Cary L. Burford, of whom especial mention is made in the sketch of his son, James C. Burford in another column of this work.