Carey, Charles Henry.  "History of Oregon." Vol. 3. Chicago-Portland: Pioneer
Historical Pub. Co., 1922.  p. 733.
 
CAPTAIN JOSEPH R. WILEY

      It has been said that Portland has never known a more generous man or more
kindly spirit than Captain Joseph R. Wiley, who became identified with the city
in pioneer times and who through the ensuing years to the date of his death
stood for all that was most vital and best in the development and upbuilding of
the state. He was born near Mineral Point, Iowa county, Wisconsin, December 30,
1844, a son of Elias and Catherine (Haney) Wiley, who had removed from New York
to Wisconsin. When gold was discovered in California, the father visited the
state but afterward returned to his family in the middle west and then in 1852
again started for the Pacific coast, with Oregon as his destination. He was made
the captain of the wagon train, which he owned, and he undertook the task of
bringing a number of fine blooded horses and cattle to the northwest; but death
claimed him ere he reached his destination and his wife was thus left with three
small children, with twenty-five wagons and the fine stock. It was a big
undertaking for the frail little woman to continue the journey. She rode her
favorite horse. Black Hawk, so named after the Indian chief. While In camp one
night, soon after her husband's death, the stock strayed away into the heavy
timber. The next morning not a man in the train would venture into the woods for
the stock, fearing the Indians, so Mrs. Wiley mounted Black Hawk which would
allow no one to ride him but his mistress, and left her children and all the
wagons in charge of several of her relatives who were in the train while she
made her way into the timber after her cattle. On returning with them she found
that all of the wagons had gone on save the one containing the three children. 
She then had to drive her stock and that wagon into camp, where she caught up
with the rest of the train. She had transferred to herself the money belt which
her husband had worn, containing several thousand dollars. Finally the party
reached Portland in safety and there, sometime afterward, Mrs. Wiley became the
wife of William P. Burke. She invested in a large amount of property, which in
time became quite valuable. She was the first to introduce blooded stock into
Oregon. She remained one of the honored pioneer women of the state until called
to her final rest January 3, 1902, when eighty-two years of age, remaining very
active to the time of her demise.
     Joseph R. Wiley was but seven years of age when he started with his parents
on the long trip over the hot sandy plains and through the mountain passes to
Oregon. His youth, therefore, was largely spent in Portland, where he pursued
his education in the Portland Academy, and later was graduated from Santa Clara
College of California. He displayed special aptitude in his studies, his
scholastic record being a matter of pride to his instructors. He afterward
established a parochial school in Portland in connection with the cathedral of
this city and a year later was elected to the position of county school
superintendent, which office he resigned in 1869 to become the deputy county
clerk under B. L. Norden, serving in that office until the close of the term in
July, 1870. During a portion of the time in which he had been school
superintendent he was also deputy marshal under A. L. Zeiber. He entered
journalistic circles in July, 1870, when he took charge of the commercial and
advertising departments of the Daily Herald, but after several months he
resigned that position to become captain of the Portland police force as the
first incumbent in the office which he filled until March, 1875. Two months
later he was elected a member of the common council and for three years labored
most earnestly in that position to promote the welfare and advance the interests
of the city. While thus engaged he devoted the hours that are usually termed
leisure to the study of law and in the spring of 1879 was appointed justice of
the peace, which position he filled for a year and a half. He then established a
real estate agency and in February, 1882, he purchased the Catholic Sentinel,
which he afterward ably conducted, displaying marked literary ability in that
connection.
     Mr. Wiley was also keenly interested in military and civic affairs and for
many years was an active member of the board of fire delegates from Multnomah
Engine Company No. 2, while from 1871 until 1875 he was captain of the Emmet
Guard. He won the rank of major through his service on the staff of Major
General Effinger, to which he was appointed in 1878. He always figured more or
less prominently in politics and in 1876 was made sergeant-at-arms of the house
when Governor Grover was elected to the senate.
     On the 9th of February, 1874, Mr. Wiley was married to Miss Maggie Hickey,
who was born in Boston and in 1865 started for San Francisco, crossing the
Isthmus and proceeding from San Francisco to Portland with her sister, who was
married and with whom she was to make her home. To them were born the following
children: Clarissa, who is at home; William Burke, deceased; Joseph E., vice
president of the Hibernian Bank and Eunice Cecile, the wife of John K. Stack, a
resident of Michigan.
     Captain Wiley was always a prominent member of the Catholic church and
served as president of the St. Vincent de Paul Society for eight years. He was
also state treasurer of the Ancient Order of Hibernians and was tour times
elected president of the Father Mathew Temperance Society. His outstanding
characteristic perhaps was his generosity. He freely aided all who needed
assistance and was continually doing a good deed, of which he never spoke, for
he was tree from ostentation in an of his charitable acts. He was well known in
the Pioneer Association and the friends of his early and later residence in
Portland mourned his death, which occurred February 8, 1894.

 
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Submitted to the Oregon Bios. Project in November 2009 by Diana Smith.
Submitter has no additional information about the person(s) or family mentioned
above.