Person:Martin Rittgers (1)

He is on the 1870 census , age 2 months, with parents, Valley, Polk Co., Ia.[p 406 fam #100/110] On the 1880 census we see him, age 10, still with parents and the only child listed.[p 592 fam #12/12] We are told by his nephew, Ted Rittgers, that he had new cars before anyone in the area. He married Martha Leola MILLER before 1910.[Polk Co. Births, book 6, gives her full maiden name, as mother of Martin's child] She was born about 1881 in Ia. In 1910, Jefferson Twp., Grimes, Polk Co., Ia., "Leaut" Rittgers, 39, is farming, and wife Mattie, 29, is housekeeper. They have been married 1 year and she has born no children. Mattie declares her father born in Germany and her mother born in Michigan. With them is his father, Jake, age 76, retired. Also in home is V.F. Walker, 23; and Roolin Wood, 25, employees-farm labor.[ED 176, p 1A, fam #7/7] On the 1920 census we find Martin, 49, living at 1016 Pleasant St., Des Moines, Polk Co., Ia., as head of household. With him is his father, Jacob, 85. It states neither one has an occupation. Martin is divorced and Jacob is a widower.[ED 113, p 9A, fam #158/269] Martin died after 1932, and was buried in Rittgers Cem, Johnston, Ia.

1. ↑ Family Group Sheet.
2. ↑ p. 406, fam #100/110
   Rittgers, Jacob, 34, no occupation given, b Oh
   Mary F., 23, b Pa
   Martin L., 2 mo, b Ia, "April"
3. ↑ p. 592, fam #12/12
   Rittgers, J.R. 44, farmer, b Oh to father b Pa, mother b Va
   Mary F., 33, b Pa to par b Pa
   Martin L., 10, b Ia
   Hammond, JOhn, 15, servant, b Ia to par b Ia.
4. ↑ ED 176, p. 1A, fam #7/7
   Rittgers, Leaut, head, 39, m1yr, b Ia to father b Oh, mother b Pa, farmer gen'l farm
   Mattie, wife, 29, m1yr, born 0children, b Ia to father b Ger, mother b Mich
   Jake, Father, 76, b Oh to par b Ger
   Walker, U.F., emp., 23, b Ia to par b Pa, laborer farm
   Wood Roolin, emp, 25, b Ia to father b Vt, mother b Pa, laborer, farm
5. ↑ Second Precinct, ED 113, p. 9A, fam #158/269 1016 Pleasant St.
   Rittgers, Martin L., head, 49, div, b Ia to father b Oh, mother b Pa, no occupation
   Jacob R., father, 85, widower, b Oh to father b Pa, mother b Ire, no
   occupation