Born in the Old Fort in Fillmore, Utah, Nov. 1, 1856, 5 years after the first settlers arrived there in October, 1851. He was the first child of Gabriel Huntsman and Eunice Holbrook. When G.R. was 5 months old his father left on his first mission. When he was 15 years old, his father, Gabriel, left on his second mission to Illinois, Iowa and Ohio, leaving Riley to help care for the six younger children.
(Everything is Relative, pg. 68)
Gabriel Riley married Hannah Hanson on July 1, 1885. Riley was 29 years old, while Hannah was almost 20 years old.


Riley and Hannah decided to go into the mercantile business in 1894. He operated a butcher shop and later purchased a lumber building and moved it to the East side of Main Street right next to the Huntsman Hotel. In 1899 he and Hannah decided to build a large 2 story brick building with a full basement (picture below). The store was the largest department store south of Provo and served all the towns in East Millard County.

Riley became rather eccentric with age; wearing his trademark overcoat and boots even in the summer. He would sit in front of the store day after day visiting with old friends.
Riley died of a heart attack on July 30, 1936, at 79 years of age. He and Hannah were divorced at the time and Riley was living in the store. Upon hearing of his death, Hannah said, "Oh, that can't be. He is too damn stubburn to die."
He is buried beside Hannah, in the Fillmore Cemetary.

Huntsman Store - built by G.R. Huntsman - 1899

Store today (2006) ... East side of Main Steet 1/2 block South of Center Street.