Henry Ferdinand Riefle - Occupation & Public Life

Occupation & Public Life

Henry F. Riefle sold meat at the No. 1 stall in Lexington Market, Baltimore. Generally it was considered that such tradesmen were intelligent in the management of their affairs, active and enterprising in business, and public-spirited and liberal. Those terms mark the endeavors of Henry Riefle.

Henry was a member of the "Butchers' Association of Baltimore" and was a signer of the resolution "that from May 2nd they would not charge more than twelve and a half cents per pound for beef, and if they were unable to furnish it at that price, they would vacate their stalls." This resolution grew out of the oppressions under which they and the general public suffered from the extortions of forestallers and the monopolist cattle-dealers. In 1832, when they realized their tradesmen were victims of a monopoly, organized the "Butchers' Hide and Tallow Association" -- the object being to salt their own hides and render their own tallow, thus protecting themselves against impositions by controlling their own business. One of the eight directors of the Association was Henry.

In 1839, he petitioned the Mayor of Baltimore regarding the selling of stalls in Lexington Market and in 1853, records show he protested a matter regarding the Elysville Railroad. In 1856, he petitioned against outlaw huckster competition with tax-paying stall owners in city markets. He was also a member of the Butchers' Loan and Annuity Association, Zion Lutheran Church, and was active in real estate transactions.