The history of Pottawattamie County is familiar to Peter Rief from the earliest development to the present time. Here he has lived for four decades and his mind is stored with many interesting reminiscences of pioneer times. So rapid has been the development of the great west that it seems hardly possible that it is within the memory of men living today when this district was a great unsettled region and for miles there were no homes upon the trackless, wind-swept prairie.

Mr. Rief was born in Germany, February 2, 1845, a son of Sievert and Wiebke (Schrum) Rief. The father was born at Erfde, Schleswig, which was also the birthplace of our subject, and the mother's birth occurred in Moholz, Schleswig.

Twenty years a resident of the fatherland, Peter Rief then came to the new world, landing at Quebec, Canada, in the spring of 1864. He afterward went to Chicago, Illinois, and the same summer located at Valparaiso, Indiana, where during the summer he worked at the shoemaker's trade, which he had learned prior to leaving his native land. In the fall he returned to Chicago where he remained for about one year, and during that time he saw the body of Abraham Lincoln, the martyred president. Leaving Chicago for St. Louis, Missouri, he spent two weeks in that city and then started for Omaha, Nebraska, making most of the trip by boat. He arrived at his destination in the fall of 1865 and helped construct the first three railroad bridges across the Little and Big Pabio and Elkhorn Rivers.

The spring of 1866 witnessed the arrival of Mr. Rief in Pottawattamie County and he located in Boomer Township, where he purchased a small tract of land. In 1867 he sold this to his brother and bought forty acres in Hazel Dell Township, to which he afterward added forty acres more. Some of this land had been previously settled by the Mormans, but most of it was still uncultivated and unimproved. In 1885 he traded this property for a stock of boots and shoes in Council Bluffs and for five years conducted that business, after which he sold out and removed to Lake Manawa, where he has since resided. He is now serving for the sixth term as Justice of the Peace, his re-elections proving his capability and fidelity. His decisions with conscientious regard to the law and the equity in the case. For one year he was Postmaster of Manawa, has also been Town Treasurer and for about fourteen years was School Director. These various offices have come to him unsought and have been the expression of public confidence in his ability and trustworthiness. He has always voted with the Republican Party since age conferred upon him the right of franchise and as the years have gone by he has been a stalwart champion of progressive movements and measures for the general good.

On the 12th of May, 1867, Mr. Rief was married to Miss Anna C. Thiesen, a daughter of Peter Thiesen, of Holstein, Germany. Their children are: Rosa, wife of George Boyles, of Council Bluffs; Matilda, the wife of William Schoening, of Woodbury, Nebraska; Josephine, the wife of Isaac Minnick, of Council Bluffs; Peter Sievert, who is married and lives in Council Bluffs; and Minnie, who died at the age of twenty-three years.

The life record of Mr. Rief is in many respects worthy of emulation. It proves what can be accomplished by determined purpose and unfaltering industry. He had no knowledge of the English language when he came to America, but within a short time had learned to read and write as well as speak the tongue and he readily adapted himself to the altered business conditions which he found in this country. He has always made good use of his opportunities and is now one of the substantial citizens of Lewis Township.

He is not the only member of the family who came to the new world, for at the time of his emigration he was accompanied by a cousin and later his brothers, John and Sievert, came. They are now successful farmers of Pottawattamie County. Later his cousin Henry settled in Grand Island, Nebraska, his present home. Another brother, Hans Rief, came to America, in 1867, and now resides in California. Two other brothers, Johann and Claus, also came in the later 60's, but are both deceased.

When Mr. Rief reached this county, Council Bluffs was but a small town---one of the outposts of civilization. Wolves were numerous and wild turkeys and other feathered game could be found in abundance. Mr. Rief has contributed to the change which has marked the county's growth and progress and is accounted a valued citizen of his community. Both he and his wife are members of the Lutheran Church and are highly esteemed by many friends.