Peter Rieder was a merchant and an early white settler of what is today the Region of Waterloo. He was born in Perth Township July 27, 1850 to Daniel Rieder of Switzerland and Christina Goettinger Rieder of Germany. Rieder was one of eleven children which included both full siblings and half siblings born to his mother and her second husband Conrad Kabel, who she married after Daniel Rieder's death.

By 1877 Rieder was living in New Hamburg and was married to Emeline Merner Rieder, the daughter of white settlers from Switzerland and Germany. Peter was also partners in Rieder and Ruby, General Merchants of New Hamburg, possibly with Emmanual Ruby (1844-1883).

Peter and Emiline had nine children: Talmon Henry (1878), Maude Matilda (1880), Idella Rose (1882), Elmer Alfred (1884), Lauretta Elizabeth (1886), Esther Emiline (1891), Eva Sarah (1892), Mary (1896), Alma (1900).

Peter Rieder retired in 1912 and died May 31, 1936 at the age of 85. Emeline died January 17, 1940 at the age of 82.