Person:Henry Ritter (20)

m. 1795
  1. John Ritter, III1796 - 1887
  2. David Ritter1798 -
  3. Jacob Ritter1799 - 1879
  4. Ann Ritter1801 -
  5. Henry Ritter1803 - 1894
  6. _____ Ritter1805 -
  7. _____ Ritter1807 -
  8. Theobald Ritter1808 - 1878
  9. George Ritter1809 - 1847
  10. Barbary Ritter1810 - 1895
  11. Frederick Ritter1812 - 1898
  12. Margaret Ritter1813 - 1896
  13. Elizabeth Ritter1818 - 1840
  14. Philip Ritter1820 - 1898
  15. Isaac Ritter1823 - 1880
m. 25 Aug 1829
  1. David Ritter1831 - 1889
  2. Elizabeth Ritter1834 - 1922
  3. Mary A Ritter1835 - 1912
  4. Alfred RitterAbt 1839 -
  5. Catharine Ritter1844 - 1925
  6. _____ Ritter, female1850 - 1850
Facts and Events
Name Henry Ritter
Gender Male
Birth[1][2] 4 Apr 1803 Beaver twp., Northumberland Co., Pennsylvania, United States
Emigration[6] 1822 Wayne Co., Ohio, United States
Marriage 25 Aug 1829 Tiffin, Seneca Co., Ohio, United Statesto Mary Harpster
Occupation[7] 1850 Canaan twp., Wayne Co., Ohio, United Statesa farmer
Other 2 Oct 1850 Canaan twp., Wayne Co., Ohio, United StatesCensus1850
with Mary Harpster
Emigration[8][9][10] 1851 Steuben Co., Indiana, United States
Occupation[11] 1860 Steuben twp., Steuben Co., Indiana, United Statesa farmer
Other 22 Jun 1860 Steuben twp., Steuben Co., Indiana, United StatesCensus1860
with Mary Harpster
Occupation[12] 1870 Steuben twp., Steuben Co., Indiana, United Statesa farmer
Other 20 Aug 1870 Steuben twp., Steuben Co., Indiana, United StatesCensus1870
with Mary Harpster
Occupation[13] 1880 Steuben twp., Steuben Co., Indiana, United Statesa retired farmer
Other 21 Jun 1880 Steuben twp., Steuben Co., Indiana, United StatesCensus1880
with Mary Harpster
Other[14] 1885 Steuben Co., Indiana, United StatesBio-hist-OK
Death[3] 12 Jul 1894 Steuben Co., Indiana, United States
Burial[4] Jul 1894 Mount Zion Cemetery, Golden Lake, Steuben Co., Indiana, United States
Other[15] 22 Aug 1894 Steuben Co., Indiana, United StatesObitz_OK
Other[5] Anecdote
Reference Number? 4265
Reference Number? RF133

Henry Ritter

was born on 4 Apr 1803 at Beaver twp., Northumberland Co., Pennsylvania, United States, Dessie has his birth listed as being in Union Co., PA.  He emigrated in 1822 to Wayne Co., Ohio, United States, from Union Co., PA.  On 25 Aug 1829 at Tiffin, Seneca Co., Ohio, United States, at the age of 26 Henry Ritter married Mary Harpster age 18, daughter of David Harpster.  

In 1850 Henry's occupation was as a farmer at Canaan twp., Wayne Co., Ohio, United States.

    Henry Ritter and Mary Ritter appeared on the 1850 Federal census of Canaan twp., Wayne Co., Ohio, United States, enumerated 2 Oct 1850, real estate value $1,800. They have five children listed, David, Elizabeth, Mary, Alfred and Catharine.  He and Mary Ritter emigrated in 1851 to Steuben Co., Indiana, United States, here they purchased a farm for $7 per acre. Land once owned by the son of Nathaniel Golden, who had died in 1848. The farm bordered the shores of "Golden Lake." Henry donated land from this farm for the site of present day Mt. Zion church and Mt. Zion cemetery.  

In an article called "Cemeteries of Steuben County" by Mrs. Florence E Heffley, it is noted: "Also found in Steuben Township, on the Golden Lake road, is the pretty Mount Zion Cemetery. In 1852 land was given by one of the first settlers, Henry Ritter, to establish this burial ground. In giving the land the stipulation was made that no lot was to be sold, but to be given as the need arose among the local settlers. The first grave was that of Henry Spigelmire. Among Civil War graves are to be found Eli Klink and Jacob Wolf. Today there are about eight-hundred graves, and great pride is taken in keeping the grounds in attractive condition. The present Trustees of the cemetery are: David Ritter, President; Joe Freed, Treasurer; Henry Sunday, Secretary (grandson of the original Henry Ritter who gave the land)".

In 1860 Henry's occupation was as a farmer at Steuben twp., Steuben Co., Indiana, United States.

    Henry Ritter and Mary Ritter appeared on the 1860 Federal census of Steuben twp., Steuben Co., Indiana, United States, enumerated 22 Jun 1860, real estate value $5,700; personal property $700. They have two children at home, David and Catharine. They are living four doors down from Henry's brother Jacob.  He witnessed "In the summer of 1859 Rev. H.W. Cherry organized the Sugar Grove Circuit of the North Ohio Conference, which included all of the United Brethren Churches in Steuben County. The Mount Zion Church-- a frame church built in Steuben Township on Section eight near Golden Lake, was established in 1865. According to the original deed the land for the church was sold on August 22, 1865, by Henry and Mary Ritter to the trustees, Philip Ritter, Jonas Mountz, Martin V. Gain, and their successors. In 1879 the North Ohio Conference was held in that church; Bishop J. Dickson presided. In 1903 the church building was moved across the road to its present location it was improved and rededicated at that time" in 1865 at Steuben Co., Indiana, United States.  

In 1870 Henry's occupation was as a farmer at Steuben twp., Steuben Co., Indiana, United States.

    Henry Ritter and Mary Ritter appeared on the 1870 Federal census of Steuben twp., Steuben Co., Indiana, United States, enumerated 20 Aug 1870, real estate $6,500 and personal property $1,500. They have Mary Traester, age 65, born in PA living with them, not sure who this is. Two of Henry's brother's married Treaster girls. Living next door is his son, David.  

In 1880 Henry's occupation was as a retired farmer at Steuben twp., Steuben Co., Indiana, United States.

    Henry Ritter and Mary Ritter appeared on the 1880 Federal Census of Steuben twp., Steuben Co., Indiana, enumerated 21 Jun 1880, living two doors down from Henry's brother, Phillip. Next door is David a son to Henry.  

Henry Ritter had an historical biography printed in 1885 at Steuben Co., Indiana, United States:

    "Henry Ritter was born in Beaver Township, Union Co., Pa., April 4, 1803.  When nineteen years of age he moved with his father, John Ritter, to Wayne County, Ohio, being among the first settlers.  His father afterward moved to Ashland County, where he died in the ninety-ninth year of his age.  Henry Ritter was married in Tiffin, Ohio, to Mary Harpster, a native of the same township, and a schoolmate of her husband.  After his marriage he settled on forty acres of land in Canaan Township, Wayne County, where he lived till 1851, when he moved to Steuben County, Ind., and settled on section 8, Steuben Township, where he has since lived. At that time there was a small frame building used as a granary, and a log-cabin on the place, and about thirty-five acres improved.  He bought 200 acres, paying for it $7 per acre.  He now owns 226 acres, valued at $50 per acre.  He had but a few hundred dollars when he came to the county, but by industry and economy has acquired a competency.  He had but little help in clearing and improving his land, his only son being in poor health.  He has one of the best farms in Steuben County, which he still superintends.  Politically Mr. Ritter has always been a Democrat.  He and his wife are members of the Reformed church.  They have four children -- David; Elizabeth, wife of John Clink; Mary widow of Andrew Sunday; Catherine, wife of Charles Clink.  They lost one daughter in infancy".  Henry is listed in the 1897 Steuben county directory, as his widow was still living. They owned at Pleasant Lake: 118 acres in Section 8; 27 acres in Section 5; 59 acres in Section 6.  

Henry Ritter set forth a will on 6 Jun 1894 at Steuben Co., Indiana, United States, "I, Henry Ritter, of Steuben County, Indiana, being in my ninety-second year, but of sound mind and memory, do now make and publish this instrument to be my last will and testament.

First -- I give and devise to my beloved wife Mary, the use during her life of the home farm, containing two hundred four acres. She to have all the rents and profits of the same.

Second -- I charge said home farm with any sums contributed for my support, for the support of my beloved wife Mary, same to be a lien on said lands, and to be due and payable immediately after our decease.

Third -- After my death and that of my beloved wife, Mary, it is my will and I hereby direct my executor herein after named, to within two years sell said home farm, and of the proceeds first place $2000 at interest, second by aciaple [sic] first mortgage security, for the benefit of Melinda Ritter, widow of my deceased son David Ritter, and the said Melinda shall annually have the interest accruing upon said sum of $2000, so long as she remains the widow of my deceased son, David. The remainder of the proceeds from the sale of said home farm, after liquidating any indebtedness of myself or my beloved wife Mary, shall be equally divided, share and share alike, between Levi Ritter, William Ritter, Adam Ritter, Jenny Ritter and David Ritter, all children of my deceased son David Ritter, the devisees named last shall also have, share and share alike, said sum of $2000 at the death of the mother, Melinda, or when she ceases to be the widow of my deceased son David, and the proceeds from the said home farm shall contribute the entire interest that the devisee's named in this item shall have in my estate, subject also to any charges or debt due from me or my wife Mary.

Fourth -- I give and bequeath to my daughters, Mary Sunday, Elizabeth Clink and Catherine Clink, all money, notes, dues or demand of any nature possessed by me or owing to me at my death. I also devise to them any lands that I may die seized of a excepting the home farm of two hundred four acres, each to share with the other.

Fifth -- at my death, or at the death of my beloved wife Mary, all household furniture shall be equally divided between Mary Sunday, Elizabeth Clink, Catherine Clink and Melinda Ritter.

Sixth -- the provision herein made for my beloved wife Mary, is in lien of her statutory right to the additional $500.

Seventh -- I herein nominate, and ask the court to appoint without bonds, Charles Clink as my Executor. And it is my will then it my deceased, the said executor shall take charge of said home farm in which my beloved wife Mary is given a life estate, and manage the same for her interest, and properly care for the rents and profits belonging to her under the provisions of this will, turn the same out to her as such rents and profits may be necessary for her comfort and support.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal, this 6th day of June, 1894." Signed, Henry Ritter.

He died on 12 Jul 1894 at Steuben Co., Indiana, United States, at age 91 more information: 91y 3m 8d.

Henry Ritter was buried in Jul 1894 at Mount Zion Cemetery, Golden Lake, Steuben Co., Indiana, United States, on marker with wife. I have a photo of the tombstone.

Henry had an obituary 22 Aug 1894 Steuben Co., Indiana, United States

     "In Steuben Township July 12, 1894, Henry Ritter, aged 91 years, three months and eight days.  

Mr. Ritter was born in West Moreland County, Pennsylvania, April 4, 1803. He was the father of five children, two preceding him to the spirit world he leaves and aged companion, two brothers, three sisters, three daughters, 21 grandchildren, 20 great-grandchildren, with a host of friends to mourn his loss. Funeral services were held at Mount Zion church, attended by a large concourse of friends. This services were conducted by Rev. J. C. Albright".

References
  1. lady34 at msn.net, Compiler: Tina Watson. Watson Family Tree database, Location: database: watson 2001, Url:http:/worldconnect.genealogy.rootsweb.com/. (November 2004).
  2. Dessie (Ritter) Skelly. The Ritter Family of Steuben County, Indiana, Edition: Revised by MildrenChampion. (Self-published, Angola, Indiana)
    page 4a.
  3. Obituary. (further information available upon request).
  4. Tombstone, Record Type: Photograph of tombstone, Subject: grave marker.
  5. Cazetteer and Complete Directory of Steuben County, Indiana. (Strong & Clapham, publishers, Columbia City, Indiana, 1897)
    page 85.
  6. Dessie (Ritter) Skelly. The Ritter Family of Steuben County, Indiana, Edition: Revised by MildrenChampion. (Self-published, Angola, Indiana)
    page 4a.
  7. United States. 1850 U.S. Census Population Schedule. (National Archives Microfilm Publication M432)
    Page 404B; ancestry image: 42.
  8. Obituary. (further information available upon request)
    of Mary Harpster Ritter.
  9. Dessie (Ritter) Skelly. The Ritter Family of Steuben County, Indiana, Edition: Revised by MildrenChampion. (Self-published, Angola, Indiana)
    page 4a.
  10. Interstate Publishing. History of Steuben County, Indiana. (Interstate Publishing Company, Chicago, Illinois, 1885)
    page 709.
  11. United States. 1860 U.S. Census Population Schedule. (National Archives Microfilm Publication M653)
    page 501A; sheet 62; ancestry image: 17.
  12. United States. 1870 U.S. Census Population Schedule. (National Archives Microfilm Publications M593 and T132)
    page 207A; sheet 11; ancestry image: 11.
  13. United States. 1880 U.S. Census Population Schedule. (National Archives Microfilm Publication T9)
    page 309B; sheet 30; ancestry image: 30.
  14. Interstate Publishing. History of Steuben County, Indiana. (Interstate Publishing Company, Chicago, Illinois, 1885)
    page 789-790.
  15. Steuben Necrology Files, Record Type: Index cards, obituaries and notes,the majoritiy have no sources cited.