FREDERICK R. RIFFEY. The owner of the farm located on section 22, North Otter Township, is the gentleman whose name appears above. He is a Virginian by birth and education. His father was James Riffey and probably was born in Roanoke county, Va. His mother's maiden name was Anna Rhodes, probably a native of Augusta County, also Virginia. The father died in the county in which he was born, where they both made their home until the time of their death, although the mother passed away in Macoupin County, Ill., while on a visit to her daughter - Mrs. Elizabeth H. Brubaker.
Our subject is one of eight children, he being the fourth of the family. He was born in Roanoke County, Va., October 8, 1849, where he remained until he had attained manhood. His marriage took place in the same county in which he was born and brought up and January 26, 1869, he was united for better or worse to Miss Martha E. Swartz, who was also a native of Virginia, her birthplace being in Botetourt County, and her advent into the world being on September 21, 1850.
Mrs. Riffey's parents were Christian and Catherine (Click) Swartz. The mother's decease occurred in Roanoke County, Va. Mr. and Mrs. Riffey had eight children - John W., Josiah C., James H., Rosa E., Frederick L., Gertie B., Melissa A. and Perley C. Gertie died in infancy. Mrs. Martha E. Riffey passed away from this life May 7, 1886, in North Otter Township and was laid away in God's acre, her spirit passing to the better world. He was again married in Wayne County, Ohio, April 15, 1888, to Miss Mary E. Eshelman, a daughter of Jacob and Anna (Harshman) Eshelman. The former was born in Pennsylvania and the mother in Ohio. Mr. Eshelman died in Wayne County, Ohio. They had seven children, of whom Mrs. Riffey was the fourth. She was born in Wayne County, Ohio, March 4, 1858. They have an infant unnamed.
He of whom we write has always been engaged in farming and agricultural pursuits; he owns seventy-three acres of land and has very good improvements on his farm. Mr. Riffey is a Jacksonian Democrat in politics and both husband and wife are members of the German Baptist church. They take a deep interest in the Sunday school work and indeed in all religious matters.