Biography - CHRISTOPHER RIEHER

We take pleasure in presenting to the readers of this biography one of the most enterprising and substantial agriculturists of Macoupin County, Illinois, who has for the past 40 years been actively engaged here in the cultivation of the soil, and as a reward for his unceasing toil has become the owner of a handsome farm, consisting of 436 acres, situated in section 19. He was born in Marnitz, Mecklenburg-Schwerin, Germany, March 2, 1840, and is a son of Voohim and Sophia (Galof) Richer.

Voohim and Sophia (Galof) Rieher were both natives of Germany, and remained in the fatherland all their lives. They were the parents of five children besides our subject, namely; William, Frederick, Lena, Sophia and Henry. In religious belief they were members of the German Evangelical church.

Christopher Richer came to America in 1865, landing in New York City on October 10th, and immediately came to the State of Illinois, locating at Macoupin Station. He then engaged in work with his half-brother, William, who had been in this country since 1849, and after a few years rented a farm and began what has proved to be a most successful career. After nine years of industrious work on the farm which he had rented, he purchased a tract of 80 acres that is now included in his present farm, 16 acres of the property being cleared. On this pioneer farm he engaged successfully in agricultural pursuits and in a few years purchased another piece of land, consisting of 60 acres. Gradually he has continued to increase his real estate holdings until he now owns 436 acres, which he has under a high state of cultivation. He raises some of the finest corn, oats, and wheat to be seen in his county, producing annually from 3,000 to 4,000 bushels of corn and about 2,000 bushels of wheat. Our subject also devotes much time to raising stock, and in former years raised large droves of sheep each year. He is widely known for the skilled manner in which he conducts his farm.

Mr. Richer was married September 15, 1865, to Lena Shultz, who is like himself a native of Germany, and they are the parents of four children, namely: Henry, Mary, Augusta and William. Mr. Richer and family are members of the German Evangelical Church. He is a Republican and quite active in the politics of his township. He held the office of township commissioner for three terms and served as school trustee for three years. Portraits of Mr. and Mrs. Richer accompany this sketch.

Extracted 2018 May 05 by Norma Hass from Biographical Sketches of Leading Citizens of Macoupin County, Illinois, published in 1904, pages 97-98.