[1] His family were early settlers in a part of America newly opened up for settlement, because of the creation of the North West Territory.

A large portion of the early citizens of Westfield, arrived to the frontier, having left South Carolina with hopes of avoiding the practice of slavery.

[1] His family were Quakers and strongly opposed to slavery, which led his father Aaron Lindley to become a leader in the anti-slavery movement.

The Underground Railroad had supporters in the Westfield community, the Lindley family helped slaves escape to freedom in Canada.

Also, both men were named after famous Americans, Riley after an Indiana governor, Lindley after a founding father and president.