Person:Benjamin Rittgers (1)

He is on 1870 census , age 7, with parents in Valley, Polk Co., Ia.[p 406 fam # 97/107] In 1880 he is 17, and the oldest child home with mother.[p 541, fam #131/134] On their marriage record , it is states that Iora is the daughter of H. McClune & Martha Lowe. She was 16 at the time of their marriage, and Benjamin was 28. We are told that he "took his bride to their farm home... six miles northwest of Rolfe, Iowa, where the tall corn really grows." On the 1900 census , he is age 37, in Des Moines Twp., Pocahontas Co., Ia., a farmer. Wife Iora, 25, declares they have been married 10 years. She has born 5 children, four alive at this time. These four with them.[p 56, ED 167, fam #184/187] In 1910 Benjamin, 47, is in Rolfe, Des Moines Twp. , Pocahontas Co., Ia., where he is a farmer. Wife Iora M., 35, declares they have been married 20 years and she has born 9 children, all alive at this time. All are in the home.[ED 192 ; p 8A; fam #89/89] In 1920, we see Ben F., age 58, farming in Des Moines Twp., Pocahontas C o., Ia. With him are wife, Iora, age 45, and ALL children listed below.[p 1A, ED 208, fam #3 /3] He farmed in Rolfe, Pocahontas Co., Ia., and was very successful in raising stock and in business matters. In a photocopied newspaper article, with no news banner or date, we see that Mrs. J.J. Stewart (Catherine #12.F) was in Bakersfield, Calif., with brothers B.F. Rittgers (Benjamin #12.H) of Rolfe, Ia., and G.M. (George #12.J) Rittgers, Jefferson, Ia., and half brother G.W. Betts (could this be Guttip Bates, son of her mother?), of Bakersfield, Calif. It reports that the brothers had not met for sixty-five years. He and his wife, Iora, celebrated their 50th Wedding Anniversary on 13 Apr 1940. A newspaper article on this occasion was submitted without date or news banner. It tells us that 10 of their 11 children and 15 grand children were present,as well as over 100 guests. Daugter Mary Barron of Phoenix, Arizona, telegraphed her congratulations. Benjamin died in the Lutheran Hospital, Fort Dodge, Ia., at the age of 82 yeears, 4 mo, 9 days. In his obituary, also submitted with no banner, it reports that he left 11 children and 19 grand children, and a wife that was ill. Here we see that Ben came to "his present farm site 62 years ago in a covered wagon."

1. ↑ Family Group Sheet.
2. ↑ Family Group Sheet.
3. ↑ ED 167, p. 10B, fam #184/187
   Rittgers, Benjamin, head, b Aug 1862, 37, m10yr, b Ia to father b Oh, mother b Ger.
   farmer
   Iora, wife, b Nov 1874, 25, m10 yr, born 5 children/4alive, b Ia to father b
   Pa, mother b Oh
   Horace, son, b Aug 1892, 7, b Ia
   Clara, dau, b Aug 1895, 6, b Ia
   Hattie, dau, b Oct 1897, 2, b Ia
   Coral, dau, b July 1899, 11 mo, b Ia
4. ↑ ED 192, p. 8A, fam #89/89
   Rittgers, Benjamin, head, 47, m20yr, b Ia to father b Oh, mother b Ger, farmer
   Iora M., wife, 35, m20yr, born 9children/9alive, b Ia to par b Ire
   Horace, son, 18, b Ia
   Clara, dau, 15, b Ia
   Hattie, dau, 12, b Ia
   Coral, 10, b Ia
   Frank, 8, b Ia
   Ernest, son, 7, b Ia
   Blanch, dau, 5, b Ia
   Ruth, dau, 3, b Ia
   Mary, dau, 1 mo, b Ia
   Thomas, James, hired man 35
5. ↑ ED 208, p. 1A, fam #3/3
   Rittgers, Ben F., head, 58, b Ia to father b W.Va, mother b Ger, farmer
   Iora, wife, 45, b Ia to father b Ire, mother b Oh
   Horace B., son, 26, divorced, b Ia, farming at home
   Clara C., dau, 25, b Ia, teacher, public school
   Hattie L., dau, 22, b Ia teacher, public school
   Coral M., dau, 20, b Ia, teacher, public school
   Frank E., son, 18, b Ia
   Ernest J., son, 15, b Ia
   Blanche A., dau, 14, b Ia
   Ruth I., dau, 12, b Ia
   Mary M., dau, 10, b Ia
   Jacob B., son, 8, b Ia
   Robert W., son, 6, b Ia