Person:Anson Rittgers (1)

He is on the 1900 census, age 14, with parents in Grimes, Webster Twp., Polk Co., Ia . Also in the home is "Lizzie Close, boarder, age 10.(ED 112, p 290B, fam #154/162) Family story tells us that Anson married a girl named Florence, who had been raised by his family . The only one "being raised" in the family is Lizzie. In 1910 she is called "servant", age 20.(ED 84, p 7B, fam #77/77) In his sister, Gretchen's obituary, 1917, he was living in Ankeny, Polk Co., Ia. From her marriage record, we see that her parents were James Close and Alma Gibson. In 1920 we find Anson, 34, farming in Crocker, Polk Co., Ia. With him is wife Florence, age 30, caring for their three children.(ED 232, p 2A, fam #36/37) From his obituary, we learn of his life. He worked on the farm while attending school, then attended the CCC college in Des Moines, where he completed a commercial course. "Later he attended Drake University two years, pursuing medical studies. Due to illness he went to the state of Washington, working as a surveyor and joined the national guard of that state. (It is believed that he had asthma)" It states that when he recovered his health, he returned to Polk Co., married Florence, and it continues "He was a good neighbor, always willing to help those in need. He took a great deal of pride in his saleswork which he pursued because he enjoyed meeting and talking with people." He is called a "prominent Polk City man....has always had a deep interest in school and civic affairs in the community." It also mentions that he farmed. From her obituary, we find that Florence had three sisters still living in 1968: Lucille Wackerbarth of Dundee, Ore.; Mrs Eva Willock of San Jose, Calif.; and Mrs Dolly Thorp of Ventura, Calif. She died at "Des Moines General Hospital after an illness of five years." It states she was born in Des Moines and lived in Polk City 54 years. She was a member of the First Evangelical United Brethren Church of Des Moines.

1. ↑ ED 112, p. 290, fam #154/162
   Rittgers, Michael, head, b Sept 1850, 49, m24yr, b Oh to father b Va, mother b Ger
   farmer on farm owned free
   Mary E., wife, b Oct 1847, 53, m 24 yr, born 3 children/2 alive, b Me to
   father b Me, mother b Eng
   Lizzie, dau, b May 1878, 22, b Ia
   Anson, son, b Sept 1885, 14, b Ia
   Close, Lizzie, boarder, b July 1889, 10, b Ia
2. ↑ ED 232, p 2A, fam #36/37
   Rittgers, Anson B., head, owns farm mortgaged, 34, b Ia to father b Oh, mother b Me
   farmer, general farm
   Florence, wife, 30, b Ia to par b Ia
   Barton, son, 5, b Ia
   Brenda, dau, 8, b Ia
   Michael, son, 2yr 4 mo, b Ia