Résumé

Reif moved a number of times within the US after arriving here in 1883. He arrived in Southern CA, by at least 1889.

Partner, Benson and Reif, Architect and Contractor, San Diego, CA, c. 1889-1890. (See Monteith's Directory of San Diego and Vicinity for 1889-1890, p. 60.)

Partner, Benson and Reif, Architect and Contractor, Salt Lake City, UT, c. 1891. Experts summoned by local government condemned the construction work and building superintendence performed by Benson and Reif on an Infirmary Building in Salt Lake City. The Salt Lake Herald reported in 09/1891: “Gentlemen—Your building committee for the infirmary building beg leave to report on the claim of the contractor referred to us, as follows: That the foundation of said building is nearly finished, the joists of the first floor put in place and the brick wall on the east side and the ends of said building begun; that we have appointed J.C. Dowling, inspector of works and in company with him and Mr. J.H. Bowman as expert, have made a careful examination of the material used and work thus far performed in the erection of said building, and find as follows. That in the concrete work Utah, instead of Portland, cement has been used, and that evidently in small quantities as the concrete is still soft and has no appearance of solidifying. To determine this more fully we had the soil removed in several places along the walls so as to expose the concrete, and after careful examination have arrived at the conclusion that the foundation is entirely insufficient to support the weight of the building. This is further shown by the fact that the wall at both the southeast and northeast corners of the building is cracking. At the northeast corner of the building the rockwork projects over the concrete. The brickwork indicates poor workmanship, and many of the brick [sic] in the wall and upon the ground are of inferior quality. In our judgement the contract for the erection of the building has not been reasonably complied with, and that the architect has been derelict in allowing such work to go one without reporting to the committee of the court. In accordance with the views of the inspector and expert, we recommend as follows: That the contractor be required to take down the entire part so far constructed, and clear away the debris and commence anew the erection of said building, and proceed until the same shall have been earned in compliance with said contract. Respectfully submit, John Butter, G.W. Bartch, Committee.”

This 1891 newspaper report continued: “Reports were also received from J.C. Dowlin, inspector, and J.H. Bowman, expert. They both condemned the workmanship as well as material used. Mr. D.P. Benson, the contract, appeared in his own behalf and stated that while the cement used was not according to the specifications, it had been put down by the order of the architect. As a workman, he condemned the whole job in terms as strong as the committee used, and signified his willingness to take down the foundation and rebuild it to the specification. A. Reif, the architect, was summoned to appear before the court. He admitted that the work was imperfect and not according to the specifications. The reports of the committee and of J.C. Dowlin and J.H. Bowman were unanimously adopted.” (See “The Infirmary Building,” Salt Lake Herald, 09/16/1891, p. 6.)

Principal, Anton Reif, Architect, Los Angeles, CA, c. 1912.

Relocation

Anton Reif was born in Dieblich, Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany, on 02/04/1851. He immigrated to the US from Antwerp, Belgium, on 09/22/1883 aboard the Société Anonyme de Navigation Belgo-Américaine's Belgeland (a ship operated by the Red Star Line), arriving in New York, NY, about a week later. (See Ancestry.com, Source Citation National Archives and Records Administration [Nara]; Washington, D.C.; Naturalization Records in the Superior Court of Los Angeles, California, 1876-1915; Microfilm Roll: 18; Microfilm Serial: M1614, accessed 04/09/2025.)

Reif likely resided in Atchison, KS, by 1886, where he began the process of applying for US citizenship on 10/20/1886.

The architect briefly resided in San Diego, CA, during 1889-1890, but moved to Salt Lake City, UT, by 11/1890. His daughter Irene was born in Logan, UT, on 04/15/1893.

According to his naturalization paperwork, Reif returned to CA from another US state on 08/20/1901.

When he applied for US naturalization in 1911, he resided at 1444 Sunset Boulevard in the Hollywood neighborhood of Los Angeles, CA. (See Ancestry.com, Source Citation National Archives and Records Administration [Nara]; Washington, D.C.; Naturalization Records in the Superior Court of Los Angeles, California, 1876-1915; Microfilm Roll: 18; Microfilm Serial: M1614, accessed 04/09/2025.)

Reif passed away in Los Angeles County, CA, at the age of 74. (See Ancestry.com, Source Information Ancestry.com. California, U.S., Death Index, 1905-1939 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2013, accessed 04/10/2025.)

Spouse

He married Ida Lena Reif (born Emmendingen, Baden-Württemberg, Germany).

Children

He and Ida had three children: Herbert A. Reif (born 09/21/1889 in San Diego, CA), Otto R. Reif (born 11/24/1890 at Salt Lake City, UT) and Irene E. Reif (born 04/15/1893 at Logan UT). (See Ancestry.com, Source Citation National Archives and Records Administration [Nara]; Washington, D.C.; Naturalization Records in the Superior Court of Los Angeles, California, 1876-1915; Microfilm Roll: 18; Microfilm Serial: M1614, accessed 04/09/2025.)