Greene County PA Archives Biographies.....Wiley, Lem H. April 17, 1844 - ????
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File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by:
Marta Burns marta43@juno.com June 18, 2025, 6:28 pm

Source: Biographical History of Greene County, Nelson, Rishforth, and Co, Chicago, 1888
Author: Samuel P. Bates

      Lem H Wiley, musician, Peoria, Illinois, was born in 
Greene County, Penna, April 17, 1844. He acquired a common 
school education and worked at the blacksmith trade with his 
father. In 1862 he went to Peoria County, Illinois, and in 
the fall he enlisted in the Seventy seventh Regiment, 
Illinois Volunteers, as chief musician, being then only 
eighteen years of age. This position he filled faithfully 
until the regiment was mustered out of service at the close 
of the war. 
  
      Upon returning home Mr Wiley became a member of the 
celebrated Light Guards Band of Peoria with which he 
remained nine years, during which time he also opened a 
music business. In 1872 he was one of the twenty four 
cornetists at P S Gilmore's World's Peace Jubilee at Boston; 
and has been a member and leader of a number of the noted 
bands in the United States. 
  
      He was married August 17, 1872, to Miss Alta Wilson, 
daughter of Levi Wilson of Peoria, Illinois. In 1880 he 
became a leader in Haverly's Original Mastodon Minstrels, 
organized in Chicago, and remained with them five years 
during which time he played in all the large cities of the 
United States and most of the principal cities of the old 
world. In January, 1885, he became manager of the new Grand 
Opera House in Peoria, Illinois, a position he still holds. 
Mr Wiley is considered by the world a thorough musician and 
a remarkable cornetist. 

Page 637

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Orignally submitted 2003

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