Advancing step by step, thoroughly mastering every task assigned him and increasing his power through the exercise of effort, Harry W. Riley is well known as the proprietor of the Ornamental Iron Works of Meriden, in which connection he has developed a business of gratifying proportions. He was born in Wilmington, Delaware, October 11, 1865, his parents being Joseph and Keziah (Pounder) Riley, both of whom have passed away. The mother a granddaughter of Dr. Joseph Pounder, the famous physician and surgeon of Pennsylvania, whose ancestors were among the earliest settlers of that state. 
     Harry W. Riley was educated in the public schools of his native city and was employed at farm labor until he reached his majority. His people removed from Delaware to Maryland and he had to shift for himself. He worked at blacksmithing and other odd jobs and, removing to New Haven, he secured employment there at the blacksmith's trade, spending four years in that way. By that time he had become a good workman on wagon and machine blacksmithing and he was employed in New Haven altogether for ten years. At Southington he had charge of a big shop and finally he came to Meriden, where he entered the employ of the Bradley-Hubbard Company, with which he continued for ten years, taking up his present line of work in that plant. He became proficient in all iron work except structural iron and he also pursued a course in the International Correspondence School of Scranton, Pennsylvania, thus acquainting himself with the scientific and theoretical phases of the business as well as gaining broad practical knowledge and experience with the Bradley-Hubbard Company. On the 1st of September, 1910, he established his present business on a small scale. Today he has twenty hundred and fifty-two square feet of floor space and sixteen employes. He makes inside stairways, fire escapes and does all kinds of ornamental iron work and his output is sold all over Connecticut.
     On the 16th of July, 1891, Mr. Riley was united in marriage to Miss Emma Magnusson, by whom he has four children, as follows: Mabel, the wife of Joseph Caggiano, of Hartford, by whom she has a daughter, Frances Mary; Bertha; Walter; and Harry. All of these children were educated in Meriden. Mr. and Mrs. Riley also lost one child, Olive, who passed away in 1900.
     In politics Mr. Riley is a stalwart republican. He belongs to the Patriotic Order of Sons of America, to the Order of United American Mechanics, in which he has passed through all of the chairs of the local lodge, and he is also prominently known in Masonic circles, belonging to the lodge, chapter and council and to the Eastern Star, in which he is a past patron. His religious faith is indicated by his membership in the Methodist Episcopal church, to the teachings of which he is loyal. His life has been guided by high and honorable principles and his friends, who are many, speak of him in high terms.