William Riland, Soldier of 1812, was born in Berks county, near Reading, August 19th, 1793. He is the son of Andrew Riland, a miller. He was brought up on a farm, about twelve miles from Philadelphia, and, at the age of sixteen years, went to work at the trade of blacksmithing, at Chestnut Hill. In 1812, he entered the army in the Thirty-sixth Regiment of Pennsylvania, with the drafts from Montgomery county, Pennsylvania, commanded by Colonel Krickbaum and Captain William Richardson. His company acted as Coast Guard along the Delaware river. In 1814, on peace being proclaimed, he returned to Philadelphia and continued at his trade, till 1838, when he commenced farming, following that occupation till 186i. In that year he was appointed Collector of Taxes, and has been reappointed to the office for the last thirteen years. He now resides in Pottsville, and, at the advanced age of eighty years, is still hale and hearty, retaining all his faculties, both mental and physical, perfect and unimpaired. He performs the duties of his office, as collector of taxes, better than a younger man, as, being held in high esteem in consideration of his age and past history, the citizens flock to his office to save him physical labor. On the breaking out of the war with the South, though sixty-eight years old, the martial ardor still burned in his breast, and he did his utmost to participate in the struggle. After shaving his beard, he went to Harrisburg and offered himself as a recruit. Standing up straight as a ramrod, he sought to deceive the authorities; but, to his grief and chagrin, was detected and dismissed. When Lee invaded Pennsylvania, however, he was permitted to serve in the Governor's bodyguard at Harrisburg. He had three sons, James Munroe, Richard Rush, and William H., in the late war. Richard lost his life in his country's service, and his two brothers bear honorable and serious wounds. The fine old fellow talks with much feeling of his past life, and tears flow from his aged eyes when he speaks of his darling boys, especially of the one he has lost.
Source: The Biographical Encyclopedia of Pennsylvania of the Nineteenth Century. Philadelphia: Galaxy Publishing Co., 1874, pp. 179-180.
Contributed by: Nancy.