Edward H. Ritchie

As printed in 1908

EDWARD H. RITCHIE, general farmer, residing in Pleasant Township, owns two farms, comprising 240 acres of valuable land. He was born in Loudon County, Virginia, and was six years old when his parents came to Clark County.

The father of Mr. Ritchie settled first on a farm three miles west of Catawba, which he rented for one year. He then removed to the J. Chance farm, one and one-half miles west of Catawba, a year later moving to what was known as the Yeazle farm. From there he removed to the Baumgardner farm and while living on the latter property commenced to build a house on a farm that he had purchased in 1859. It contained 101 acres and the father of Mr. Ritchie bought the land for $16 an acre. It now belongs to Edward H. Ritchie, and he would not sell it for $70 an acre, it being now very valuable property. When the Ritchies settled on that land it was covered with timber and brush and it required a large amount of hard work to clear, cultivate and improve it. The father died on that farm in 1901, the mother having passed away in 1889. There were four sons and one daughter in the family, namely: Mary, who is now deceased; Martin Luther, who died at the age of five years; John, who died in the army during the Civil War, aged twenty-six years; William, who resides in Champaign County, Ohio; Charles, who resides in Pleasant Township; and Edward H., the direct subject of this notice.

Edward H. Ritchie was married in Pleasant Township, December 17, 1875, to Lucinda Jane Curl, who was born November 1, 1849, in Clark County, Ohio, where she has passed her whole life. She is a daughter of John and Malinda (Frankelbery) Curl. Mr. and Mrs. Ritchie have had four children, namely: Nina, bom January 8, 1877, who married Edgar Evans, April 9, 1902, and they reside on the Evans homestead in Champaign County; Ora born September 23, 1879, who married Oscar Mumper, April 18, 1900, they residing on what is known as the Rollins farm in Champaign County; an infant daughter, who was born January 5, 1882, and died unnamed aged three weeks; and Elta M., born January 21, 1884, who married. May 29, 1906, Edgar Wood, a son of Henry Wood. The last mentioned reside on a farm near that of Mr. Ritchie.

Mr. and Mrs. Ritchie live on the old homestead farm of the Curls which Mr. Ritchie purchased in 1882. He is one of the leading citizens of his town.ship and has filled many of its important offices at various times, just now being the president of the board of trustees of Nation Chapel. He belongs to the order.of Knights of Pythias, Mechanicsburg Lodge, No. 474.

As printed in 20th century history of Springfield, and Clark County, Ohio, and representative citizens (1908). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.