This green metal bench is located on the eastern New Madrid County Courthouse grounds. The plaque, which is bronze, reads:
In Memory of
Circuit Judge Henry Clay Riley, Sr., and
Circuit Judge Henry Clay "Harry Boon" Riley, Jr.
From Find-A-Grave - (
visit link) :
"Henry C. Riley, aged 70, died at his home in New Madrid at 5:30, 20 minutes of suffering from an attack of heart trouble. His wife and children were with him at the time of his death.
He retired last night in his usual health. For more than a year he had suffered from heart trouble, but no uneasiness had been felt as to the seriousness of his condition.
Henry C. Riley was born on his father's farm in New Madrid county December 18, 1850, his father being Judge Amos Riley, a native of Tennessee, who moved to Missouri in 1837. His mother was, before marriage, Miss Lucy Ann Hamilton of Jefferson county, Ky.
Henry Riley spent his youth on his father's farm and at school, attending the Kentucky Military Institute, near Frankfort, for five years, where he received his diploma in 1871. He was graduated from the St. Louis Law School in 1873 and began the practice of law in New Madrid. He served for a few years as county school commissioner and in 1884 was elected prosecuting attorney and was reelected in 1886.
He was circuit judge eighteen years, when the circuit embraced the counties of Pemiscot and New Madrid and the counties now in Judge Frank Kelley's circuit. He was succeeded six years ago by Judge C.B. Faris, now presiding over the federal court in Cape Girardeau.
He married Miss Jennie Howard, daughter of Judge J.H. Howard, in May, 1877, three children being born to them--Edwin H., Harry C. and Dixie.
He is survived by his wife and three children, all of whom are residents of New Madrid--Cape Girardeau Southeast Missouriena.
As a token of respect here, when the news was received, Judge S.H. McCarty appointed H.N. Phillips, W.W. Corbett and C.G. Shepard, as a committee to draft resolutions and S.E. Juden, former circuit clerk, John W. Green, R.L. Ward, C.E. Bragg and S.V. Medling, as a committee to represent the court at the funeral which was held at 2:30 Wednesday afternoon.
Pemiscot Argus - Caruthersville, Missouri - Thursday, April 22, 1920."
"SON: Henry Clay Riley (1903-1979) Evergreen Cemetery, New Madrid, Mo.
Henry C. Riley, prosecuting attorney of New Madrid County, Mo. is a native of the county, born December 18, 1850, and is a son of Judge Amos Riley. Henry C. Riley spent his youth on his father's farm and at school. He received his literary education in a five years' course at the Kentucky Military Institute near Frankfort, Ky., graduating from the institution in June 1871. He then entered the St. Louis Law School, from which he received a diploma in 1873. After finishing his professional education he commenced practicing at New Madrid, and has become one of the leading lawyers of the county. He served as county school commissioner for a few years. In 1884 he was elected prosecuting attorney for the county, and was re-elected in 1886. He was united in marriage in May, 1877, with Miss Jennie Howard, a native of the county, and a daughter of Judge J.H. Howard. She was reared in New Madrid County and educated at St. Vincent Female Seminary at Cape Girardeau. Mr. and Mrs. Riley's union has been blessed by the birth of three, viz; Edwin H., Harry C., and Dixie. Mr. Riley is a member of the Masonic order and also of the A.O.U.W. Mrs. Riley is a devoted member of the Catholic Church."