Bio of Reifkogel, John W. (b.1828) Wabasha Co., MN
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Made available to The USGenWeb Archives by: Barbara Timm and Carol Judge
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This bio comes from "HISTORY OF WABASHA COUNTY" 1884.
Check out Barbara's site for more great information on this book:
http://www.rootsweb.com/~mnwabbio/wab1.htm
There are also some pictures and information from descendents for some 
of the bios on her pages.

Reifkogel, John W., harness-maker and dealer, of Plainview, was born in
Hamburg, Germany, September 28, 1828. His father, Cornelius Reifkogel, was
a professional gardener in the city of Hamburg. Our subject received a
common school education in Germany, and then spent four years acquiring a
knowledge of his present trade, after which he set out on a tramping
expedition lasting two years, during which he visited many important
places in Germany, Holland, and Denmark, working at his trade a few months
in Amsterdam. The Government next required his services in the army, and
from 1848 to 1852 he was in the ranks, seeing a little active campaigning
during the Denmark war then in progress. The excitement incident to active
service was not distasteful to him, but with the dull life of the soldier
in time of peace he was not content, and in 1852 deserted the army and
came to New York. Here he resided for two years, and then went to Boston
where he found employment for eleven years in the harness shop of D. L.
McGregor, on Henley street' a potion of this time, however, he worked in
the United States Navy Yard. In 1865 he came to Plainview, deciding to
locate in that place, after a tour of the western country in search of a
desirable opening for the establishment of a harness shop. His first shop
stood where his present commodious place of business now is, and was a
small and primitive affair. But he prospered in his business now is, and
was a small and primitive affair. But he prospered in his business, and
now owns a fine residence, and is accounted one of the forehanded men of
Plainview. Mr. Reifkogel is a free-thinker and a Democrat. He was married
to Charlotte Young, of Boston, in the year 1855. Seven children have been
born to them, five of whom are living, viz.: Saphia (Mrs. Daniel Clough),
of Elgin township; William, at home; Lottie (Mrs. A. J. Carroll,) of
Plainview, and Ettie and Albert, at home.