Santa Clara County
Biographies
HON. ADAM RIEHL
The elements which have contributed to the success of Hon. Adam Riehl are a direct inheritance from a German ancestry, the energy, perseverance and industry which have marked his entire career, being the most characteristic traits of his nativity. Practically unaided, Mr. Riehl has risen to his present position of prominence among the representative men of this section of California, his ambition being no greater than his ability to keep successfully to the path which he marked out for himself in young manhood.
Born September 3, 1831, near Frankfort, Germany, Mr. Riehl was the son of Henry and Teressa Riehl, who, although of the same name, were not related. His boyhood was spent among the scenes of his native country, where he received a substantial education. In 1848 he became dependent upon his own resources, being then a lad of seventeen years. With an uncle he crossed the ocean to America and locating in St. Louis, Mo., set himself to work to learn the trade of a blacksmith. For five years he made his home in the middle west, but deciding then to case in his lot among the pioneer conditions of California he outfitted with a team of oxen and horses and crossed the plains, arriving in Sacramento August 7, 1853. For a short time he was employed at his trade in that city when he went to Eldorado county and combined blacksmithing and mining. For thirteen years he remained in that location, in 1858 establishing a mercantile business, which was conducted under the firm name of Riehl & Hines, and after the death of his partner in 1862 he carried on the business alone. Disposing of his mercantile interests in 1866, he went to San Francisco and thence to Santa Clara county in 1867 when he established a mercantile enterprise in Gilroy in conjunction with J. Rider which continued until 1875. He then retired from business activity, but still made his home in Gilroy, of which city he was elected mayor in 1878 for a term of two years, having previously served for twelve years as a member of the common council. A stanch supporter of Democratic principles he was chosen by hat party to the state legislature in 1882, serving in two sessions, in 1882 and 1884. In the meantime he had become extensively interested in real estate operations in Santa Clara county and gave his best efforts toward the upbuilding of the resources of this section. Deciding to locate in San Jose, he removed here with his family in 1886 and has since become associated with all movements calculated to advance the general welfare of the community. Mr. Riehl was one of the organizers of the San Jose Brush Electric Light Company, and has twice been chosen its president, while he is also a stockholder and director of the Safe Deposit Bank of San Jose. He taken an intelligent and helpful interest in all that marks the progress of the city, and is a citizen upon whom the commercial, social and political prestige of the city may safely rest.
November 20, 1864, Mr. Riehl was united in marriage with Josephine E. Kumpf, who was born in New York and reared in Wisconsin, and of this union were born the following children: Theresa M., an artist of no little ability; Emma D.; George A., a hatter by trade; Martin W., an attorney; Florence C.; and Margarite. Fraternally Mr. Riehl is associated with the Masons and the Ancient order of United Workmen.
Transcribed
7-20-15 Marilyn
R. Pankey.
ญญญญSource: History
of the State of California & Biographical Record of Coast Counties,
California by Prof. J. M. Guinn, A. M., Page 697. The Chapman Publishing
Co., Chicago, 1904.
ฉ 2015 Marilyn R. Pankey.