Henry Clay Wiley (1829-1898) never lived in his namesake canyon – but he did discover oil there. Born in Pennsylvania and raised in Indianapolis, Wiley came to San Diego in 1852 after fighting in the Mexican–American War. There he worked as a constable and married Anita Pico (1837-1901), whose father Andrés had commanded Mexican troops during said war. The Wileys moved up to San Fernando in 1859, where H.C. worked for his powerful father-in-law. They then leased a ranch near present-day Newhall Ave. and Sierra Highway that was later owned by the Lyon twins. In 1865, Wiley struck oil in what would soon be called Wiley Canyon. (The road was named by 1892.) Now a rich man, he relocated to Los Angeles proper, served as county undersheriff, and started a realty firm with Daniel M. Berry, who would bring their fellow Indianans out to found the city of Pasadena. In 1879, Wiley relocated to Tucson, where he increased his wealth and fathered twin girls with a widow named Nellie Butler. The spurned Anita divorced him in 1882 and Wiley came back to L.A. with his new wife and daughters. He spent his golden years investing in property and running a pool hall.
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