 |
 G. TILEY, General Yardmaster for the I.
& St. L. R. R., is one of the leading men of
Coles County and a prominent citizen of
Mattoon. He was born April 29, 1847, in
Liverpool, England, and is the son of Samuel G.
and Eliza (Owen) Tiley. His parents were also
natives of Liverpool, England, where their marriage took place. They emigrated to America
about the year 1852, and settled at Lillie’s Station,
in the Alleghany Mountains, where, in connection
with his brother William, the father was extensively engaged in the coal works for a number of
years. He then sold out his interest there and
moved to Johnstown, Pa., and was there appointed
Superintendent of the Cambria Iron Works. He
subsequently removed to Pittsburgh, Pa., where he
became connected with the public works of that
city. In 1860, he changed his location to Portsmouth, Ohio, and there accepted the position of
Superintendent of the gas works and city improvements. When the Civil War broke out, he enlisted in the pioneer corps under Gen. Buell, and served until 1864. He was twice taken prisoner by Morgan, but only detained for a short time, and returned from the army broken in health, from disease contracted while in the service. He engaged in taking contracts on the East Division of the I. & St. L. R. R., and afterward engaged in coal-mining at Carbon, Ind. He had never recovered from the ravages of the disease contracted during his service in the Civil War, and his death occurred in 1880. His widow is still living, and resides at Terre Haute, Ind. The family consisted of twelve children, seven of whom are living, as follows: John S., the engineer and book-keeper at Snoddy’s Mills, Ind.; Rose, the wife of Mr. Folk, a resident of Terre Haute, Ind.; S. G., the subject of this sketch; Annie, the wife of Mr, Dickerson, a resident of Seelyville, Ind., and one. of the leading men of Vigo County; William, the proprietor of a blacksmith shop at Fontanet, Ind.; Thomas W., operator of the coal shaft at Snoddy’s Mills, Ind.; and James, a resident of Raton, N. M., engineer on the A., T. & S. F. R. R. S. G. Tiley received a practical education, and remained at home until seventeen years of age, and when the last call was made for troops he enlisted at Terre Haute, but his father thinking him too tender in years to undergo the hardships of the service, entered his objection to the recruiting officer, and the boy was accordingly dismissed. But he was active and ambitious, and later in the autumn started out in search of work, which he succeeded in obtaining on a farm, near Farmersburg, Ind., where he remained until the fall of 1866, when he journeyed overland to Arcola, Ill. He there assisted a farmer, N. J. Wall, in gathering corn, and when this work was completed, went on foot to Mattoon, arriving there with only $2 in money, having sent the rest of his earnings to his parents. Our subject next accepted a position in the Water Supply Department of the I. & St. L. R. R., and aided in boring for water in a large well near Capen’s implement house, and afterward assisted in sinking wells at Dorsey and Sandford. In 1869 he was promoted to the position of night baggage-man, and in 1871 assumed the duties of night yardmaster, and served in that capacity for two years; he was then appointed night and day baggage-man, and was thus engaged for three years, and in June, 1876, again had charge of the night yards and continued until the following September, when he was appointed to his present position. Mr. Tiley is reliable and energetic, and during his services on the I. & St. L. R. R., although there have been many changes in its management, his position has always been secure. The capacity of the yards has grown from 150 to 1,000 cars, and while he could at first manage that department alone, he now has no less than 150 men under his supervision, and so universally honorable are his dealings with his employes, that all hold him in the highest esteem. Three times he came near losing his life in the discharge of his duties; the first time by a brake giving way, he was thrown from the top of a car to the ground, and besides sustaining other injuries his foot was broken. The second and third times by a draw-bar giving way in coupling cars, and the last time he was so seriously hurt that he was taken home, as it was supposed, lifeless, but after a protracted illness was restored to health and vigor. In 1868 he was married to Miss Sue Rowley. Mrs. Tiley is the daughter of William and Nancy (Dillon) Rowley, of Sciotoville, Ohio. Mr. and Mrs. Tiley have a family of four children, all living, as follows: William G., Lillie I., Harry and S. G., Jr. Mr. Tiley forms a notable example of a mechanic and laboring man, who commenced life engaged as a wage-worker by the day, at any honorable, honest occupation that presented itself, and by his industry and integrity has worked his way up to a high and responsible position, thereby illustrating what industry, coupled with ability and integrity, can accomplish in this country of freedom, where such qualities are sure of their reward. In every position in which he has been called upon to act, he has proved himself worthy of the trust reposed in him. He was Assistant Supervisor of Mattoon during the years 1884-85, and at all times considered the best interests of the people, his official acts bearing the closest investigation. Mr. Tiley is a stanch supporter of the Democratic party ; he is a member of the Masonic fraternity and also of the Knights of Pythias. In 1886 he was candidate for the position of County Sheriff, but was defeated by the small majority of seventy-six votes, the entire Democratic ticket being defeated. |
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