Frisby S. Finley is a farmer and stock man, with a large and well appointed place under his control and management in Houston Township.  He is a member of one of the old and well known families of the county.

He was born in Gilmer Township July 19, 1866, a son of the late William D. and Adelia (Judy) Finley.  His father was born in Kentucky in 1840, of Scotch-Irish ancestry, a son of Eli Finley, who in an early day moved to Lewis County, Missouri.  William D. Finley as a young man came to Adams County, and married here Adelia Judy, daughter of Paris T. Judy, one of the most conspicuous names in the early settlement and history of Gilmer Township.  Mrs. Adelia Finley is still living, and resides with her daughter in a fine home at Quincy.  William D. Finley was greatly prospered in his activities and besides his home farm in Gilmer Township of 371 acres he owns 720 acres in Houston Township and 160 acres in Kansas.  He died in 1908.  He was the father of five children: Eli, deceased;  William J., of Houston Township;  Frisby S.; Sarah Agnes, who lives with her mother; and Ora Belle, who died at the age of two years.

Frisby S. Finley grew up on the old homestead in Gilmer Township, and attended the district schools and also the Maplewood High School at Camp Point.  His activities since young manhood have been directed to farming and stock dealing.  In 1888 he located on his present place in Houston Township, where he has 220 acres, and its improvements and facilities make it one of the best farms in that locality.  Mr. Finley is raising much livestock, including pure bred Duroc Jersey swine.

He is a democrat, but has been too busy with his private affairs to seek office.  He is interested in Christian Science.  His mother is an active member of that faith in Quincy.

In 1895 Mr. Finley married Elizabeth E. Rutledge, of Gilmer Township.  She died June 12, 1917, and in March 1918, he married Miss Esther Zigler, of Adams County.

Source: Quincy and Adams County History and Representative Men, pp. 1341-1342; by David Wilcox. Chicago: Lewis Publishing, 1919.