BROWN COUNTY OHIO - BIO: RIBER, Hon Burch Reason (published 1925)
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HISTORY OF OHIO, The American Historical Society, Inc., 1925
Volume V, page 231

        HON. BURCH REASON RIBER.  From a boyhood and youth in which hard
work was made necessary by a lack of funds for the acquirement of a desired
education to the ownership of important business and other interests and
the mayoralty of his adopted city has been the record established by Hon.
Burch R. Riber, of Hillsboro. Still in the very prime of vigorous manhood,
his achievements have been numerous, and while his personal affairs have
demanded much of his attention he has also found time to associate with
other progressive and right-thinking men in the promulgation of movements
that have contributed materially to the welfare of his community.
        Mayor Riber was born at Russellville, Brown County, Ohio, August
24, 1886, and is a son of Charles William and Mary (Inskeep) Riber. His
grandfather, Daniel Riber, was born in Germany, in 1830, but was opposed to
the right of kings to conscript their subjects for military service, and,
accordingly, with three companions left his native land and sought the
friendly shores of American. After numerous adventures he succeeded in
reaching his destination. Charles W. Riber was born in Brown County, Ohio,
June 6, 1862. He is now living at Hillsboro, as is Mrs. Riber, who was born
in Brown County, July 16, 1866.
        The parents of Mr. Riber were not well-to-do, and as a result his
boyhood advantages were somewhat limited. He attended the common and grade
schools of Brown County and the high schools at Williamsport and Washington
Court House, and at the age of sixteen years gave up his studies
temporarily, owing to poor health, and went to work on the farm of a Brown
County agriculturist, receiving therefor his board. In 1904 Mr. Riber
returned to Washington Court House, where he secured employment with his
uncle, George Inskeep. With the funds thus gained he took a commercial
course at the Ohio Northern University, Ada, Ohio, during a part of the
years 1905 and 1906, and late in the latter year located at Hillsboro,
where he worked as stenographer for the wholesale grocery firm of the
McKeehan Hiestand Grocery Company. His capital at the time of his arrival
was but eleven dollar, but he was self confident and enterprising, and from
time to time was promoted by his employers through various positions. In
1915 Mr. Riber entered upon his independent career, when he founded his
present wholesale candy, cigar and notion business, which has increased
four-fold since its inception and is now one of the prosperous enterprises
of the city. He is also a director in the Farmers and Traders National
Bank, the owner of two business buildings and a member of the Local
Business men's Association. Fraternally he is affiliated with the Knight
Templar Masons and the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. Mr. Riber
belongs to the Methodist Church, is a member of the Board of directors of
the Highland County Sunday School Association and assistant superintendent
of the Sunday School and a teacher of one of the classes. He is likewise a
member of the Board of Trustees of the Hillsboro Hospital.
        For some years Mr. Riber has been before the public in official
capacities. In 1922 he was local manager of the prohibition campaign, and
in 1924 was appointed by Governor Donahey as delegate to the national
convention of the Anti-Saloon League of America. In 1923 the citizens
endorsed him as a candidate for mayor on an independent ticket, and in
November of the same year he was elected. He has made an excellent record
in the office of chief executive, and his administration has been marked by
progress and prosperity.
        At Hillsboro, March 2, 1911, Mr. Riber was united in marriage with
Miss Martha Richards, who graduated from the high school at Hillsboro in
1908, also attended school at Oxford, and was a teacher up to the time of
her marriage. Possessed of a beautiful voice, she sings in the choir of the
Hillsboro Methodist Church. Mr. and Mrs. Riber are the parents of four
children: Margaret Ellen, born July 14, 1913, in the fifth grade of the
public school; Ruth Marie, born October 26, 1915, in the second grade;
Catherine, born July 24, 1918, and Martha Virginia, born April 11, 1924.


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