Jacob (Jacques) Riff was born on August 6, 1811, in France. He eventually immigrated to America and settled in Medina County, Texas. He married Catherine Kachler on January 31, 1846, and they had at least six children: Joseph, born around 1847; Mary Ann, born around 1848; Catherine, born around 1852; Rosalia, born around 1853; Dominica, born around 1855; Bernhard, born around 1859. He worked as a farmer, and by 1850, he owned $100 of real estate. A decade later, he owned $1,200 of real estate and $2,514 of personal property, and by 1870, his wealth had grown to $1,500 of real estate and $2,600 of personal property. He died on November 11, 1891.

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