This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Classification: Query Message Board URL: http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/an/Ih.2ADE/1133 Message Board Post: Waverly, Illinois, Saturday, March 6, 1897 SILENTLY SLEEPING __________________ Fred. B. Ritchie Passes Away. On Thursday, Feb. 18th, Fred. B. Ritchie was confined to his home in this city with what was at first supposed to be a case of nervous prostration. His family realized that he was in a serious condition, and called in Drs. J. W. Hairgrove, of Jacksonville, and J. J. Trible, of this city. A careful diagnosis was made and strong symptoms of a brain lesion were found to exist. It was thought by the physicians that the ailment could be made to yield to treatment, but despite the combined efforts of physicians and loving friends he rapidly grew worse. Friday evening following he sank into a coma, from which he never rallied, continuing so until Friday evening, Feb. 26, when, at 5:45 o'clock, the angel of Death slipped in and touched him, and his soul sped down the unseen river which silently flows onward and outward into the great unknown. His death came as a shock to the entire community and his numberless personal friends. Only a few days before he was upon the streets, at his ! accustomed place in his office, and mingling with his friends as was his wont, and although realizing that he was in a critical condition, in the breasts of all lingered a hope, which grew into almost a conviction, that he would be spared to more years of health and activity. But a higher power ruled and he was called from the joys and sorrows of a natural existence, from the adversities and prosperity of a human career, to sleep the silent slumber of a just man, before his God and his fellow-men. Frederick Barnard Ritchie was born in Carrollton, Ill., March 18, 1848, the only son of John H. and Mary Ritchie. When he was seven years of age his parents moved from Carrollton to Virden, Ill., where he grew to manhood. Here it was he first began his career in the newspaper business. Messrs. Reynolds, Milton & Hedley established the Record, and he was the first roller boy, doing the inking for the first edition of that paper. He learned the printers trade and followed it for several years, going with Wm. Milton from Virden to Greenfield, where the "Locomotive" was established. Here, in 1872, he was married to Miss Sarah Holliday, who, with one son, John H. Ritchie, survive him. Shortly after his marriage, upon the recommendation of his physician, he went on a farm, as the confinement of the newspaper office was telling upon his health. One year later he moved to Piasa, Ill., where, after a short residence, he moved to Chesterfield, Ill., At Chesterfield, in company with Mo! rris R. Locke and W. C. Maston, he published the Chesterfield Times until 1885, when he purchased The Waverly Journal of M. M. Meacham, and moved to this city. Since that time he has devoted his energies to the upbuilding of the Journal, and Waverly. His life's best work was given in behalf of the welfare of our people and our city. His every effort lent to the progress of our home city. Fred B. Ritchie was not a church man. He believed in the Supreme Power, but was never bounded by any limit of doctrine or creed. His life was his religion, based upon honesty, charity and morality, three virtues he possessed and practiced to the best of his ability. He never turned a deaf ear to the cry of want, or hesitated to contribute anything in his power to alleviate the sufferings of a fellow creature. Prominent in the councils of his party, he went though (through) political movements and came out with clean hands and a clear conscience. As a newspaper man he was fearless and independent, always advocating that which would uplift and ennoble, but hating sham and hypocrisy. As a husband and father he was kind and liberal, and will nowhere be more missed than in the family circle. He leaves to mourn his loss, beside wife and son, an aged mother and one sister, Miss Julia, of St. Louis, Mo. The funeral occurred at the family residence on Sunday afternoon at 2:30 o'clock, conducted by the Rev. A. S. Kaye, of the Congregational church, assisted by the Rev. Jay C. Hall, of the Christian church, after which the remains were taken to East cemetery for interment, where, in the presence of a vast concourse of people, the last sad rites ot the dead were performed. A select choir, composed of Messrs. F. R. Smedley and Will Turnbull and Misses Nannie Meacham, Ollie Dial and Hattie Hutchison and Mrs. Mary Riley, sang appropriate selections at the house and grave. Many beautiful flowers, fitting tributes of respect to the departed, were placed on the grave, the offerings of Mr. Wm. Waters, of Jacksonville; Mr. and Mrs. Ira Grimes, of Springfield; Mr. and Mrs. Jason Rohrer, of Rohrer; Dr. and Mrs. E. K. Blair, Mr. James E. Hutchison, Mrs. Frances Deatherage, Miss Mary McKee, Mrs. J. A. Rodgers, Mrs. Laycock, the W.T.C.U., the Y.P.S.C.E., and a handsome bunch from the "neighbors" of the family. The pall-bearers were Messrs. Jas. E. Hutchison, H. J. Rodgers, H. I. DeTurk, J. C. Deatherage, Jos. B. Lombard and W. D. Meacham. The relatives present from abroad were Mrs. Mary Ritchie, of Moberly, Mo., mother of the deceased; Miss Julia Ritchie, of St. Louis, Mo., a sister; Mrs. Maggie Dunsmore, of Springfield, a niece: Mr. E. B. Eldred, of Carlinville, a brother-in-law, and Mr. Chas. Eldred, of Chesterfield, a nephew. ___________________________________________________ Resolutions of Respect. At a meeting of the Waverly Bi-metallic League, held in their hall on Saturday evening, Feb. 27, 1897, the following resolutions of respect were unanimously adopted: Whereas, Death has visited our League and taken from us a member Frederick B. Ritchie, and removed from his family a beloved husband and father; therefore, in view of the loss we have sustained, and the still greater loss to his respected relatives, be it Resolved, That we, the members of the Waverly Bi-metallic club, hereby express our sense of bereavement at the loss of so faithful and gifted a member of this society and so worthy a citizen, husband and father. Resolved, further, That we hereby extend our deepest sympathy to the bereaved family and friends of the deceased, hoping that even in the sadness of their affliction they may yet find some consolation in knowing that the worth of his private qualities and the value of his public services are properly appreciated. Resolved, That these resolutions be spread on the records of our league, a copy be given to his grief-stricken family, and a copy be furnished the Waverly Journal for publication. Ira Shuff, Young M. Hodgerson, E. K. Blair.