George Riley (abolitionist) facts for kids
George Putnam Riley (born March 29, 1833, died October 1, 1905) was an African-American leader and abolitionist in the United States. An abolitionist was someone who worked to end slavery. He was sometimes called the "Fred Douglass of Oregon" by the Oregonian newspaper. This was a big compliment, as Frederick Douglass was a famous abolitionist and speaker.
Early Life and Career
George Putnam Riley was born in Boston on March 29, 1833. His grandfather fought in the Revolutionary War. George's parents, William and Elizabeth Riley, were also abolitionists. This means they believed slavery was wrong and worked to stop it.
Because he was Black, George was not allowed to go to college. He worked in a law office and later as a barber. In 1849, he moved to San Francisco during the exciting Gold Rush. Later, he moved back to Boston. On April 30, 1866, he married Harriet Elizabeth Gordon. They had a daughter in 1867.
By 1869, Riley had moved to Oregon. In Portland, he worked for the government's customs department. He also worked as a barber for a short time.
In 1869, Riley and twelve other Black men, along with two white men, started a group called the Workingmen's Joint Stock Association (WJSA) in Portland, Oregon. Riley was the president of this group. They bought land in Seattle and Tacoma, hoping its value would increase over time. This land was involved in legal issues for many years.
In 1887, he moved to Tacoma, Washington. There, he gave speeches at the yearly Emancipation Day celebrations. Emancipation Day celebrated the end of slavery. He also worked to sort out the legal problems with the land the WJSA owned in Tacoma.
Harriet Riley passed away in 1896, and George Riley died on October 1, 1905. A Congressman named F.W. Cushman attended his funeral. He spoke about the important lessons people could learn from Riley's life.
Political Efforts
Riley was a member of the Republican party. People described him as a very skilled speaker among the Republicans in Multnomah County, Oregon. He tried to become a lawmaker, but he did not win the election.
In a newspaper article in 1878, Riley explained why he wasn't chosen by his party. He wrote that even though they knew he was capable, they rejected him because of his race. This shows the challenges Black leaders faced during that time.
Lasting Impact
George Riley had one daughter, Bonita Riley Wright. She became a very important person in her own right. In 1913, she helped start the Seattle branch of the NAACP. The NAACP is a well-known organization that works for civil rights and equality for African Americans.
In 2004, a company that builds homes and businesses in Seattle was named in honor of George Riley Putnam. This company was inspired by the work of African American business leaders who followed in Riley's footsteps, starting in 1983.
Public Speeches
George Riley was a powerful speaker who used his voice to fight for equality. Here are some of his notable speeches:
- 1870, April 7: "The Ratification Jubilee" in Portland, Oregon.
- 1870, April 26: "The Colored Citizen and the Ballot" in Portland, Oregon. This speech likely focused on the right of Black citizens to vote.
- 1871, February 7: "Toussaint L'Ouverture, the Hero of San Domingo" in Salem, Oregon. This speech was about a famous leader who led a slave revolt and helped Haiti gain independence.
