Person:Frederick Ritter (9)

This is my 3rd Great Grandfather --Kristy 23:47, 19 October 2008 (EDT)

Frederick Ritter

was born on 26 Nov 1812 at Beaver twp., Northumberland Co., Pennsylvania, United States.  He was born on 26 Nov 1812 at Union Co., Pennsylvania, United States.  On 19 Apr 1838 at German Reformed church, Wooster, Wayne Co., Ohio, United States, at the age of 25 Frederick Ritter married Elizabeth Kope age 17, daughter of John Henry Kope and Magdalena VanHan, by C Swisler. Also have a marriage date of Apr 19, 1834.  

In 1850 Frederick's occupation was as a Farmer at Wayne Co., Ohio, United States. By October 1850, Fred and Elizabeth will have lost three of their four children in early deaths, Levi in the spring of 1849 and then Theophilus and Maryann both in September of 1850, leaving them with only one child, Franklin. All three are buried in a row together in Kope cemetery (Elizabeth's family), along with one infant to Fred's brother, Henry, who had died in 1850. Were these four deaths related to a certain disease? After this time, it appears their love of children induced them to take in two other children to raise, as they show up with this family in following census reports.

    Frederick Ritter and Elizabeth Ritter appeared on the 1850 Federal census of Canaan twp., Wayne Co., Ohio, United States, enumerated 2 Oct 1850, farm value $1,800. They have three children, Theopolis (who had died Sept 28, 1850), Franklin and Mary. Also living there is James Rees, age 20. They are living four doors down from Fred's brother, Philip.  

In 1860 Frederick's occupation was as a farmer at Jackson twp., Wayne Co., Ohio, United States.

    Frederick Ritter and Elizabeth Ritter appeared on the 1860 Federal census of Jackson twp., Wayne Co., Ohio, United States, enumerated 9 Jun 1860, real estate $5390, personal property $1,800. One child, Franklin, listed. They also have a 3yr old, John Beck, born in Germany with them.  

In 1870 Frederick's occupation was as a farmer at (near), Pleasant Lake, Steuben twp., Steuben Co., Indiana, United States.

    Frederick Ritter and Elizabeth Ritter appeared on the 1870 Federal census of (near), Pleasant Lake, Steuben twp., Steuben Co., Indiana, United States, enumerated 23 Aug 1870, farm worth $10,000, contents $2,500. They have only one son left, Franklin. Also lving with them is Mary Rosenberger, age 10, and John Beck, age 13.  In an article called "Hudson Happenings" by Mrs. Frank Strock it is noted that "A shoe repair shop was operated by Fred Ritter, Samuel Redman, Calvin Anderson, and, in later years, by Clark Deisch.".  

In 1880 Frederick's occupation was as a proprietor of a sawmill at (near), Hudson, Salem twp., Steuben Co., Indiana, United States.

    Frederick Ritter and Elizabeth Ritter appeared on the 1880 Federal Census of Hudson, Salem twp., Steuben Co., Indiana, at (near), enumerated 25 Jun 1880, Their son, Franklin, lives next door.  

In 1885 Frederick's occupation was as owner of a saw mill at Hudson, Steuben Co., Indiana, United States.

    Frederick Ritter had an article in the paper on 2 Mar 1892 at Steuben Co., Indiana, United States:"F. Ritter got a carload of fine lumber last week".  

    Frederick Ritter lived in 1897 at Hudson, Steuben Co., Indiana, United States; listed as "retired."  He died on 23 Sep 1898 at Steuben Co., Indiana, United States, at age 85. 

Frederick Ritter was buried in Sep 1898 at Mount Zion Cemetery, Golden Lake, Steuben Co., Indiana, United States. He was my 3rd Great-Grandfather. I have a photo of his monument.

Sources available upon request --Msscarlet1957 21:46, 24 September 2008 (EDT)

Frederick's Will:

In the name of the Benevolent Father of all, I Frederick Ritter of Salem Township Steuben County Indiana do hereby make publish and declare this to be my last will and testament, hereby revoking and making void all former wills by me at any time heretofore made.

Item First: I order and direct my executor as soon as practicable after my decease to pay off and discharge all the debts dues and liabilities that may exist against my [sic] at the time of my death; that out of the first money that shall come into his hands I direct that he pay my funeral expenses and provide a respectable tombstone to be erected to my memory.

Item Second: I do will devise, give and bequeath to my beloved wife, Elizabeth Ritter, the sum of five hundred dollars in cash, and further; after my debts and funeral expenses are paid as in Item First provided I give to her one third of my remaining personal property, and I do further will devise and bequeath to her one third of all the real estate of which I die seized. Intending to give her all of the rights under this will that she would have under the law as it now is if this will were not made.

Item Third; to my dear friend John Beck, I do give the devise will and bequeath one-half of the remainder of my estate both real and personal after my debts are paid and after my said wife Elizabeth shall have her share of my estate as in this will provides.

Item Forth: to my dear son Franklyn Ritter, I do devise will and bequeath one-half of the remainder of my estate both real and personal after my said wife Elizabeth shall have had her share of my estate as in this will provides.

Item Fifth: I do hereby nominate and appoint Mr. Daniel Dole, executor of this my last will and testament.

In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and Subscribed my name on this 15th day of April, A. D. 1879. Signed, Frederick Ritter the above and foregoing instrument was at the date thereof signed, sealed and declared by the said Frederick Ritter and and for his last will and testament in presence of us, who asked his request and in his presence and in presence of each other half Subscribed our names and witnesses. Stephen A. Process W. D. Coe

I have copy of this document --Kristy 23:47, 19 October 2008 (EDT)

Frederick and Libby

1. ↑ United States. 1850 U.S. Census Population Schedule. (National Archives Microfilm Publication M432)
   age 27.
2. ↑ Editor: Harvey W. Morley. The 1955 History, Complete County Atlas, Pictorial and Biographical Albumof Steuben County, Indiana. (Harvey W. Morley publisher, no address given in the book, 1956)
   page 94.
3. ↑ Tombstone, Record Type: Photograph of tombstone, Subject: grave marker.
4. ↑ United States. 1850 U.S. Census Population Schedule. (National Archives Microfilm Publication M432)
   Roll: M432_740; Page: 810; Image: 368; ancestry image: 44.
5. ↑ United States. 1860 U.S. Census Population Schedule. (National Archives Microfilm Publication M653)
   page 212B; sheet 44; ancestry image: 24.
6. ↑ United States. 1870 U.S. Census Population Schedule. (National Archives Microfilm Publications M593 and T132)
   Roll: M593_359; Page: 209; Image: 420; ancestry image: 15.
7. ↑ United States. 1880 U.S. Census Population Schedule. (National Archives Microfilm Publication T9)
   Roll: T9_312; Family History Film: 1254312; Page: 292D; EnumerationDistrict: 3; Image: 0349.
8. ↑ Interstate Publishing. History of Steuben County, Indiana. (Interstate Publishing Company, Chicago, Illinois, 1885)
   page 733.
9. ↑ Wava Rowe White, Genealogical Records Chairman. Life in Ashley-Hudson Indiana, Volume: Volume One. (Florida DAR Society, Florida, 1993)
   page 5.
10. ↑ Cazetteer and Complete Directory of Steuben County, Indiana. (Strong & Clapham, publishers, Columbia City, Indiana, 1897)
    page 84.