Sedgwick County KSGenWeb

Portrait And Biographical Album of Sedgwick County, Kan.

Chapman Brothers 1888

Pages 284 - 285  

JAMES H. RITTER has for the last year been successfully operating on a quarter of section 24, Kechi Township, with most excellent results, having now a fine body of land well stocked with graded Norman horses, Short-horn cattle and Poland-China swine. The farm, with its tasteful and substantial buildings, its neat fences and its general air of thrift and comfort, forms one of the most attractive spots in the landscape of the township. As a citizen and business man Mr. Ritter stands high in the esteem of his neighbors. He came here in time to organize the school districts of his township, and is serving his second term as Director. In the various enterprises inaugurated for the advancement of the community he has been a cheerful and ready assistant, and takes a lively interest in the progress of the people around him. 

     Our subject was born on the other side of the Mississippi in McLean County, Ill., Jan. 3, 1851, and is the eldest of seven children, the offspring of Henry and Isabella (Poland) Ritter, natives respectively of Virginia and Ohio. His paternal grandparents, Stephen and Lucy Ritter, were natives of the State of Pennsylvania. The maternal grandparents, James and Mary Poland, natives probably of Pennsylvania, spent their last years in Illinois and Ohio. Henry Ritter removed from the Old Dominion to Ohio at an early day, and thence in 1848 to McLean County, Ill., during the early settlement of that region. He located in Gridley Township, where he carried on farming successfully and built up a good homestead, and where with his excellent partner, he still resides. 

     The subject of our sketch received his education in the district schools of McLean County, Ill., and there began his career as a farmer. There also he was married, in Gridley Township, on the 11th of October, 1871, to Miss Matilda A. Powell, who was born in Tazewell County, Ill., Dec. 26, 1852, and was the youngest child of James and Matilda (Fookes) Powell, who were natives of Maryland and the parents of nine children. The paternal grandparents of Mrs. Ritter were also born in Maryland, and the parents of her mother were natives of Pennsylvania. James Powell settled near the city of Baltimore, where he became a prominent citizen and where his house was often a stopping-place for the Bishops of that diocese. He removed from Maryland, locating first in Franklin County, Ohio, and from there to Tazewell County, Ill., where he and his wife spent their entire lives; the mother died in January, 1853, and the father in March, 1854. 

     James H. Ritter, when commencing business for himself, purchased a quarter-section of partly improved land in Kechi Township. which he occupied a few seasons, then sold out, and in February, 1877, purchased another quarter-section which is now included in his present farm. Upon this there was a small frame house into which he moved with his family, and by degrees commenced the improvements which are now viewed with admiration by the passing traveler. The first dwelling has been abandoned and a new one has grown into a very fine residence, comparing favorably with anything of the kind in the township. The barn, outhouses and fencing are neat and substantial, and the machinery all that is required by the agriculturist of today. 

     To our subject and his wife there have been born seven children, namely: Effie A., Charles L., Clarence A., Ernest C., Mary E., Laura I. and Harvey C. The seven are all at home with their parents with the exception of Effie, who is completing her studies in the Lewis Academy at Wichita. They constitute a family group of which the parents may well be proud, and will be given the advantages which will fit them to become useful and honored members of society. Mr. and Mrs. Ritter enjoy the friendship of a large circle of acquaintances and are members in good standing of the Methodist Episcopal Church, attending regularly at Wesley Chapel in Kechi Township.

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