Frederick Julian Ilsley was born in Portland, Maine on March 6, 1855.  His last name was most likely read incorrectly on one of his paintings and consequently 'Isley' is erroneous.  He is considered to be a self-taught artist.  He was known to have lived in Portland and for some time in Rockport, Massachusetts.  A single man, he boarded at 15 Powsland Street while living in Portland. 

He was a member of the Portland Society of Artists, the Salmagundi Club, the Rockport Art Association, the American Artists Professional League, the Hayloft Club, the American Federation of Artists, and the Brushians Club, Portland Maine. 

He exhibited at the Society of Independent Artists 1925, and at the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts 1931. 

Ilsley worked as an engineer for C.C.P. & L. (Cumberland County Power and Light) and later was a owner in his own business.  Ilsley & Cummings was a company of civil engineers which resided at 31½ Exchange Street in Portland.  While at C.C.P. & L. he worked with fellow Brushians Club member, and known artist, D. A. Fisher. 

As a member of the Club he traveled with the group at least once a week to paint throughout Maine and New Hampshire on painting excursions.  He was known to other members of the Club as the "Politician" and looked to by the group to add spice and special insight to each conversation. 

Frederick Julian Ilsley passed away in Portland, Maine on December 15, 1933.

Sources:

Who Was Who In American Art

The Brushians, Elaine Casazza

Portland Historical Society

Other Internet Resources