My Genealogy Hound

CHARLES W. REIF, merchant of Tell City, is a native of Cincinnati, Ohio, born January 20, 1850. His father, also Charles W. Rief, who was a merchant, came to Perry County in 1857 as a member of the Swiss Colonization Society to select a site for the settlement. He remained and acted as treasurer and president for the board a number of years and was one of the chief founders of the town. During the Rebellion he was a stanch Union man, and as captain of the Home Guards did much to protect the border from guerrillas and marauders. He was born in Baden, Germany, January 17, 1817, and married Barbara Graf, of his native town. They came to the United States in 1848. At the time of his death, which occurred May 15, 1882, he was successfully engaged in the hardware business in Tell City. Mrs. Rief died, about five years previous to her husband’s death. Charles W. Rief, Jr., remained at home until he was fourteen years old, when he went to Cincinnati and was employed in a hardware store for two years. He then learned the machinist’s trade in that city, serving a three years’ apprenticeship. In 1869 he returned to Tell City and worked for his father for several years. From 1875 to 1880 he taught school in the county, and since his father’s death has had charge of the store. May 5, 1876, he married Lillie Sein, of Cincinnati, Ohio, by whom he is the father of five children: Arnold W., Oscar W., Amelia M., Nora L. and Flora M.