Riegel-Emory family papers

Historical/Biographical Note

Historical/Biographical Note

Benjamin Riegel (1878-1941) was born in Riegelsville, New Jersey, son of Benjamin and Harriet (DeWitt) Riegel. He graduated from Riegel Academy in 1894 and went to Lehigh University to study mechanical engineering. He graduated in 1899, and went into the family business, the Riegel Paper Corporation, established by his father. He married Leila Edmonston, of Washington, D. C., in 1901, and moved to Manhattan. In 1906 he created Riegel Textile through investments in a Ware Shoals, South Carolina, cotton mill, and, being a hands-on businessman, lived part of the year in Ware Shoals, where he built a model town for his employees. In 1911, when their daughter Katherine was born, the proud parents built a community center and named it Katherine Hall.

It was most likely Benjamin Riegel's business acquaintances, like C. B. Sturges of Kenzie's Point East, and other businessmen, who suggested Fairfield as a location for a country estate. Many were already involved in plans to develop Sasco Hill as an upscale area or Fairfield starting with a golf club. Riegel did indeed become one of the founders of the Fairfield Country Club, and its first secretary.

Benjamin Riegel, besides being a businessman, was also an amateur photographer, and most, if not all, of the historic black and white photographs were created by him before his death in 1941.

Source: Hopkins, Geri and Lauren Miller. Riegel Family Photograph Collection finding aid.