Biography of Jacob Ritchey of Buena Vista township, Illinois

Jacob Ritchey, an honored pioneer, resides on section 12, Buena Vista township, and was born in Dayton, Montgomery county, Ohio, on December 5, 1821. When but two years of age his mother died, and five years later he had the misfortune to lose his father. There were six children, five sons and one daughter. The oldest, John, died in Schuyler county, Illinois; George F. died in Rushville, in the same State; Charles is now residing in Rushville; William G. died in Schuyler county; Susan married Jasper Patton, and died in Ohio; our subject was next in birth to the youngest, and on her death bed his mother gave him to her brother, Jacob Sawyer, with whom he remained five years. He then accompanied his brother George to Illinois, living with him until he grew to manhood. He attended school but little, as his time was engaged in hard work on the farm. When twenty years of age he was hired by a widow to work her farm on shares, which he did for one year. Later, his brother George married the widow, and our subject rented his brother’s former farm, which he tilled until 1845, when he rented eighty acres of William McKee, which he cultivated for himself. While thus engaged, he met Clara Ann, daughter of the owner of this land, and their acquaintance ripening into mutual affection, they were married in 1849, when his father-in-law presented to him the eighty acres he had been tilling, and on which he and his wife still reside. He has made substantial improvements on his land, in the way of buildings, having a comfortable home and barns for his grain and stock, besides other modern appliances, to facilitate the sowing, harvesting and garnering the products of the farm. Besides this eighty acres, which is under a good state of cultivation, he has purchased 167 acres more in Rushville township, which he is also farming.

Mr. and Mrs. Ritchey have seven children: William Thomas, residing in Rushville township; Charles R., residing in Camden township; James, residing in Huntsville township; Georgia Ann, living at home; Susan C., wife of F. E. Moore; living in Cowley county, Kansas; Amanda and Mary, living at home.

Mr. Ritchey is a member of the Republican party, but takes no active part in politics other than desiring the advancement and welfare of the community. He is not a member of any civic or religious society, but is liberal in his views. He is a thoroughly honest and industrious man, a good neighbor, kind husband and indulgent father, and enjoys the esteem of the community and the affection of his family and friends. ^[1]Biographical Review of Cass, Schuyler and Brown Counties, Illinois, Biographical Review Publishing Co., Chicago, 1892, Page 335.

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