John Reif is a native of Saxony, Germany, born March 19, 1826. He came to America in 1852, landing in New York after a journey of forty-two days. On the night of Aug. 15 a fearful storm arose, which came near being the destruction of the ship and all on board. Men prayed as they had never prayed before, and in answer to their prayers they were saved. Mr. Reif on arriving in the United States went to Lehigh County, Pa., where he remained ten months, then went to Butler County. Three years later he went to Pittsburg, Pa., and there took a steamer for Minnesota. The cholera broke out on the steamer, and he fell victim to that dreadful disease. He stopped at McGregor, and has since resided in Clayton County. When he recovered from his illness he obtained employment as a farm laborer, and worked at that until he purchased land in Boardman Township. He remained there four years, then bought sixty acres on section 16, Grand Meadow Township, where he still resides. He has his farm under a high state of cultivation. Mr. Reif was married to Catharine Fisher, Feb. 22, 1858; she was born in Bavaria, Germany, May 22, 1825. They have six children -- Anna and Louisa (twins), born Feb. 28, 1860; Margaret, April 6, 1862; John W., Aug. 6, 1865; Henry, Dec. 23, 1870, and George, July 28, 1872. Mr. and Mrs. Reif belong to the Lutheran church. He is a Democrat. source: History of Clayton
County, Iowa, 1882, p. 833-834 |