California Biographies

Source:
History of Napa and Lake Counties
San Francisco, Slocum, Bowen & Co., Publishers. 1881

Transcribed by Peggy Hooper 2011

This file is part of the California Genealogy & History Archives 
http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~cagha/index.htm


RIFFE, WINCHESTER. Was born in Green County, Kentucky, February 7, 1824. When he was but a child 
his parents moved to Missouri, where the subject of this sketch remained until 1846, when he crossed 
the plains to California. In 1847 he returned across the plains to Missouri, and from there, in the spring 
of 1848, went to Mexico, where he served in the Mexican War until the fall of that year, and in 1849 he 
again crossed the plains to California. After spending one winter in the mines he engaged in farming 
near Stockton, which he followed about seven years. The next four years were spent in the stock 
business, and in 1865 he car to Lake County, and at present owns about one hundred and sixty acres, 
situated about two miles east from Upper Lake, where he is engaged in farming and stock raising. Mr. 
Riffe married, August 15, 1849, Miss Lucy A. Maxwell, and their living children are, Abram T., James H, 
Mary M., Jessie S., John W., Winchester, Calvin, Lucy M., Richard A. and Jacob C. and they have lost 
three : Leonard, William L. and Sarah M.