Person:Anthony Rittgers (1)

On the 1910 census, age 5, with parents in Webster, Polk Co., Ia.[ED 184, p 8A, fam #87/87] On 1920 census, age 14, with parents in Webster.[ED 187, p 12B, fam #196/198] He continues with parents on the 1930 census, Webster Twp. He is 25 and a laborer on a general farm. (ED 77-129, p. 4A, fam #89/91) He married Florence THOMPSON 1 Dec 1939.[PVRM, book 30, p 258] She was born 13 Dec 1909. Florence died, and was buried in Rittgers Cemetery, Johnston, Polk Co., Ia. Anthony died 23 Oct 1995 in Johnston, Polk Co., Ia , and was buried in Rittgers Cemetery, Johnston, Polk Co., Ia. His obituary appeared in the Des Moines Register on 1 Nov 1995. We learn that he died of pneumonia. Wife Florence survived him, as did his sons Ronald and Anthony. After his death, the 37 acres that his home sat on was sold to developers. A young couple in the area had admired that house for years and when it was offered to them if they would move it, they jumped at the chance. It almost didn't come into their possession, as they couldn't find a suitable spot to move it to. Finally, with the deadline for demolition looming on the horizon, they located a piece of property on the other side of Beaver Creek, about a mile from its original location. The local newspaper, the Johnston News and Johnston Advance, have several articles about the home and its move, complete with pictures in the June 13, 1996 edition.

1. ↑ Funeral Memorial Card.
2. ↑ Funeral Memorial Card.
3. ↑ ED 184, p. 8A, fam #87/87
   Rittgers, Andrew, head, 43, m8yr, b Ia to father b Va, mother ?, farmer
   Virginia, wife, 41, m8yr, born 4children/4alive, b Oh to father b Oh, mother
   b Pa
   Raymond, son, 7, b Ia
   Anthony T., son, 5, b Ia
   Robert J., son, 2, b Ia
   Pauline E, dau, 2 mo, b Ia
   Phillips, Luther, father-in-law, 75, m33yr, b Conn to father b NY, mother b Conn
   Lucinda, mother-in-law, 72, m33yr, born 4 children/1alive, b Pa to par b Pa
4. ↑ ED 187, p. 12B, fam #196/198
   Rittgers, A. Johnson, head, 52, b Ia to father b Va, mother b Ger, farmer, gen farm
   Virginia, wife, 50, b Ia to par b US
   Raymond, son, 16, b Ia
   Theodore, son, 14, b Ia
   Robert J., son, 12, b Ia
   Pauline, dau, 9, b Ia
5. ↑ ED 77-12, p. 4A., fam #89/91, Beaver Rd
   Rittgers, Andrew J., head, owns farm, no radio, 61, 34 when first married, b Ia to
   father b Va., mother b Ger
   Virginia, wife, 60, 33 when first married, b Oh to father b Oh, mother b Pa
   Anthony T., son, 25, b Ia, laborer, general farm
   Robert J., son, 22, b Ia, laborer, general farm
   Pauline E., dau, 20, b Ia.