My Genealogy Hound

WILLIAM P. RIEGEL, owner of Maple Farm, located on Cayuga Reservation Road, leading from Cayuga to Seneca Falls, is one of the most prominent of the many progressive and successful farmers of this county. He was born within its confines, in the town of Fayette, December 22, 1844, to George and Mary (Mauger) Riegel, who were also born in the same town.

Grandfather Jacob Riegel came to this state from Pennsylvania after his marriage, and located on the farm which is now the property of our subject. At that time the land was covered with a dense growth of wood, and he worked very hard to clear and place it under improvement. The first dwelling on the farm was a little log cabin, which has long since been removed and replaced with a more attractive and commodious structure. Jacob Riegel became a very wealthy man, and exerted his influence at all times for the good of the community. His family consisted of seven children, all of whom were born and reared on this place. In addition to cultivating the large tract of land which he owned, he followed the cooper’s trade to some extent.

The father of our subject inherited about seventy-five acres of the home place, and there he made his home up to within the last fourteen years of his life, leaving invested considerable money in property in Seneca Falls, about that time he moved into the village in order that he might give his attention more particularly to looking after his real-estate interests. He was fairly well educated, and when about twenty-two years of age was married. He became the father of eleven children, all of whom are still living. In politics he was a Democrat, as was his father before him, although the latter joined the ranks of the Republicans after the anti-Masonic movement. At one time George Riegel was the candidate of the Greenback party for the Legislature. When a boy he was converted in the Methodist Episcopal Church, and from that time until his death, in 1879, was an active worker in the same. His wife survived him until 1895, and was in her eighty-fourth year at the time of her decease.

Like many of the boys of his neighborhood, our subject attended the district school and learned well the lessons given him to study. When a lad of fourteen he left home, and, going to Rochester, apprenticed himself to learn the carpenter’s trade. He worked at this for one year, when he returned home and followed that business for the same length of time. It was then that his father wanted him to take charge of the home place, agreeing to give him one-third of the profits. This he consented to do, and so ably did he manage the place that he soon found himself in the receipt of a snug little sum of money.

March 10, 1872, Mr. Riegel was united in marriage with Miss Lorana S. Troutman, of the town of Fayette, and the daughter of Jonathan Troutman. She continued his devoted wife and helpmate until her death, January 1, 1891.

Mr. Riegel was first elected Assessor in 1889, for a period of three years, and on the expiration of his term was made his own successor. In 1895, the year for another election, he was retained in office, making in all nine years that he served as Assessor. He has been Trustee of the school district for two terms, and President of the Canoga Cemetery Association.

The estate which our subject owns comprises one hundred and thirty-two acres, supplied with substantial buildings and all needful machinery. For several years past he has rented his property to good advantage. Socially he belongs to Fayette Lodge No. 539, F. & A. M., in which he has filled many chairs. Politically he has always been a stanch supporter of the principles of the Democratic party.