Western Auto of Benton’s “A Walk Through History”

Judge Harvey A. Riley

Written by Justin D. Lamb

(Photo courtesy of Marshall County Archives)

The son of William and Martha Mills Riley, Harvey Anderson “Harv” Riley was born near Golo in Calloway County, Kentucky on June 17, 1881. Riley attended school in Calloway County before moving to Hardin. After completing the eighth grade, Riley wished to further his education and he enrolled at Benton Seminary School.

Riley purchased a farm southwest of Benton after graduating from school and remained there until 1916 when he took a job as a clerk in Simeon Rudd’s dry goods store in Benton. The following year, he went to work for C.H. Rieke Dry Goods. Riley left Rieke’s store in 1920 and opened up a grocery store with his brother on the west side of court square. Due to the recession of the mid 1920s, Riley’s store closed in 1924 and he took a job as temporary rural mail carrier in Benton. The following year, Riley went into business with J.F. Houser and opened Riley & Houser Dry Goods Store on court square.

Besides being a small businessman, Riley was also highly involved in Marshall County politics. He was a lifelong Republican and served as secretary of the Marshall County Republican Executive Committee from 1905 until 1920 and as chairman from 1920 until 1930. Riley first entered the political scene in Marshall County when he waged an unsuccessful race for Circuit Clerk in 1913. Riley made a campaign for sheriff in 1925 and despite losing the race, Riley received the largest vote ever cast in Marshall County for a Republican candidate for sheriff up to that time. Following the election, Riley married Nola Pace on November 26, 1925 and the couple had one daughter, Chloe Jane, in February 1929.

Riley was appointed Postmaster of Benton by President Herbert Hoover in 1929, but was replaced when Democrat Franklin D. Roosevelt captured the White House in 1932. Riley then purchased the Benton Hotel and operated it until the late 1940s.

Riley was finally elected to public office when he was elected to the Benton City Council. Four years later, Riley unseated Benton City Police Judge Harrison K. Cope in what the Tribune-Democrat called “a stunning upset.” Judge Riley faced a tough re-election bid when he was challenged in 1957 by former County Attorney Charles “Blint” Cox. Ultimately, Riley pulled out a victory, defeating Cox by 127 votes. After three terms as City Judge, Riley retired from public life in 1962. Riley passed away on Monday, October 7, 1968 at Benton Municipal Hospital and was buried in the Benton Cemetery.