Fredonia in Chautauqua County, New York — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

Elijah Risley Jr.

Photographed by Bradley Owen, April 17, 2025

1. Elijah Risley Jr. Marker

Inscription.
Elijah Risley Jr. arrived here with his family in the spring of 1807, coming from Madison County, N.Y. Young Elijah had prompted his father Elijah Sr. to bring the family west in search of new opportunities, after his father had not had much luck back east. Elijah Jr. opened a small grocery store on West Main St. which made him the first merchant in Chautauqua County. Elijah Jr. also built a small house near his store and proceeded to build his business. With his brothers William and Levi, Elijah Jr. began the Risley Brothers Seed company on just six acres of land in 1833. The business became successful, and all three brothers built beautiful Greek revival homes on what is today Risley Street. Elijah Jr.'s house still stands at 89 Risley, while his brother William's also stands at 63 Risley. Levi Risley's home was located at 19-21 Risley, but it burned down many years ago. Elijah Risley Jr. was also an early Master of the Fredonia Masonic Lodge, a founding member of Fredonia Grange #1 and a Congressman representing the 31st Congressional District from 1849-51. These are just a few of Elijah Risley Jr.'s many accomplishments in our area.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Charity & Public Work • Government & Politics • Industry & Commerce. A significant historical year for this entry is 1807.

Location.

Paid Advertisement

Click or scan to see
this page online

42° 26.603′ N, 79° 19.617′ W. Marker is in Fredonia, New York, in Chautauqua County. It can be reached from East Main Road (U.S. 20) east of Cleveland Avenue, on the right when traveling west. Marker is located in Pioneer Cemetery. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 114 East Main Road, Fredonia NY 14063, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Upstate New York,

specifically in Western New York,

and in the Southern Tier.

It is also in the American Northeast,

on the Great Lakes,

in the Mid-Atlantic,

in Appalachia,

and specifically in Northern Appalachia. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,

North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy,

New Netherland,

and one of the original Thirteen Colonies.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Elijah Risley Sr. (a few steps from this marker); Seth Cole (within shouting distance of this marker); Celia (Celea) Cole (within shouting distance of this marker); Thomas Abell Sr. (within shouting distance of this marker); Hezekiah Barker (within shouting distance of this marker); Dr. Squire White (within shouting distance of this marker); Dr. James Pettit (within shouting distance of this marker); Alonzo Cushing (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Fredonia.

Elijah Risley Jr. Marker and Gravestone image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Bradley Owen, April 17, 2025

2. Elijah Risley Jr. Marker and Gravestone

Credits. This page was last revised on April 20, 2025. It was originally submitted on April 20, 2025, by Bradley Owen of Morgantown, West Virginia. This page has been viewed 201 times since then and 12 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on April 20, 2025, by Bradley Owen of Morgantown, West Virginia.