Yolo-Alameda County CA Archives Biographies.....Reiff, Jacob 1843 - ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/ca/cafiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Joy Fisher sdgenweb@yahoo.com February 22, 2006, 11:57 pm Author: Tom Gregory (1913) JACOB REIFF Experiences of existence in regions far distant from each other have given to Mr. Reiff a profound comprehension of life viewed from the standpoint of a traveler and a close observer. During his younger years he had little ambition toward the accumulation of wealth. With a realization that he would pass through youth but once he enjoyed to its utmost that fleeting period of life and spent his earnings in the pleasures of travel, not only returning to his native Germany for a protracted visit, but also journeying through much of the United States and inspecting parts of the country seldom visited by men dependent upon their daily wages for a livelihood. Nor has he had reason to regret the enjoyments or expenses of young manhood, for he is comfortably situated in an attractive home and by industrious application he has provided for the necessities of an oncoming old age. Born in Wurtemberg, Germany, January 17, 1843, educated in the schools of his native locality, and trained in a humble home for useful service in the world, he earned his livelihood from a very early age as an employe in a cotton mill. At first he held a very humble position, but recognition of his industry came with advancement in wages and responsibilities. Finally he was made foreman of the mill. After eight years in the same plant he resigned Ms position and in 1864 crossed the ocean to the new world, proceeding from New York to Ohio and securing employment with a farmer in Miami county. At first he received only $10 per month, but after he had become familiar with the language and the customs of the country he easily earned $1 per day. Evidence of his trustworthiness appears in the fact that he continued for five years with one man and then resigned against the protests of his employer in order that he might return to Germany. The visit at the old home in 1871 brought its pleasures in reunion with relatives and friends, but after two months he became anxious to return to the United States. The land across the seas suited him better than Germany and he came back to become a permanent citizen of his adopted country. Upon his return to Ohio and to Miami county Mr. Reiff resumed work with his former employer and this time he continued on his farm for three years. During 1875 he came west and settled in California, first working in Alameda county a short time, then finding employment in Yolo county, where he remained for twenty-two months. The richer by $500 for the comparatively brief period spent in this locality, he went back to Ohio on a visit, then traveled through the south and east and saw many of the large cities of our country. With exhausted finances, but with an abundance of hope, he came once more to Yolo county in January of 1877. Being utterly without money, it was necessary to find employment at once. For five years he worked for Captain Ramsey. Next he pre-empted a homestead of one hundred and sixty acres. A portion of that tract he placed under cultivation to grain. Upon selling the land he went to Hungry Hollow and for a year worked in the mountains for wages. The purchase of two hundred acres of raw land from the railroad company gave Mr. Reiff a start as a land-owner and for twenty years he remained on the same place, meanwhile clearing the land, bringing it under cultivation and improving it with necessary farm buildings. When he left that farm it was to settle upon a fruit farm of one hundred acres. Besides taking care of the trees and harvesting the crops of fruit, he rented outside lands which he placed under cultivation to grain. For seven years he remained on the rented farm and then removed to his present ranch, buying the same two years after his removal to it. The farm comprises two hundred and eighty acres near Dunnigan. A substantial residence affords a comfortable home for the family. A large barn provides accommodations for the stock and other outbuildings have been erected as needed. An abundance of fruit for family use is gathered each year from the trees planted by the present owner. When forty-three years of age Mr. Reiff established a home of his own, being united February 28, 1886, with Miss Rosamund M. Sweitzer, a native of Germany, but since 1884 a resident of Hungry Hollow, Yolo county. She was the daughter of Martin Sweitzer, who came to Yolo county in 1883. Four children were born of the union, Fred, Minnie, Carl W. and Rosalie. The older son assists in the raising of grain and the care of the stock on the home farm. The family are identified with the German Lutheran Church. Both Mr. Reiff and his wife were confirmed in that faith when they were yet living in Germany and ever since coming to the new world they have remained faithful to the tenets of their religion. In national elections Mr. Reiff votes with the Republican party, but in local campaigns he takes an independent attitude and supports the men whom he considers best qualified to represent the people irrespective of their political views. It has been his preference to avoid offices and the only exception was made in consideration of the needs of the local schools, which he served as a director. In the land of his adoption he has had varying experiences. Not a few reverses have retarded his progress and lessened his success. Notwithstanding these he has accumulated a competence, has won the friendship of associates, has overcome obstacles and risen to a position of respect and influence which may well cause him to feel content that he cast in his fortunes with the great west. Additional Comments: Extracted from HISTORY OF YOLO COUNTY CALIFORNIA WITH Biographical Sketches OF The Leading Men and Women of the County Who Have Been Identified With Its Growth and Development From the Early Days to the Present HISTORY BY TOM GREGORY AND OTHER WELL KNOWN WRITERS ILLUSTRATED COMPLETE IN ONE VOLUME HISTORIC RECORD COMPANY LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA [1913] File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/ca/yolo/bios/reiff678bs.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.poppet.org/cafiles/ File size: 6.5 Kb