Hello Fellow Listers: This just came through the Bedford Co. [PA] List from Carol Eddleman. Since it mentions some of the Ritchey family that lived in Cumberland and Dauphin Counties, I'm forwarding the posting to these lists. Donna Heller Zinn of Newville, Cumberland Co., PA. ----- Original Message ----- From: "David & Carol Eddleman" <deddle@ix.netcom.com> To: <pabedfor@rootsweb.com> Sent: Thursday, March 26, 2009 10:35 AM Subject: [PABEDFOR] Dauphin Co. bio of interst > JOSIAH RITCHEY, of Harrisburg, who has been for more than half a century of > his long and useful life an active promoter of civil and religious interests > was born February 20, 1827, in Bedford county, Pennsylvania, son of John S. > Ritchey, and grandson of Jacob Ritchey, a Virginian, who came to > Pennsylvania with two brothers, one of whom settled in Blair county, and the > other, with himself, in Bedford county. Jacob Ritchey was one of the > pioneers of that county, where he became a prosperous farmer. He was a > member of the Reformed church, while his wife held the faith of the > Dunkards. Their children were: Jacob, Abraham, John S., of whom later; > Michael, Susan, Henry, Sophia and Elizabeth. Jacob Ritchey and his wife are > both buried in Bedford county. > > John S. Ritchey, third son and child of Jacob Ritchey, was born May 12, > 1801, in Bedford county, and was educated in the common schools, receiving > there a remarkably thorough mental equipment, as is shown by the fact that > for some years he taught in school both English and German branches. He > owned a fertile farm which was chiefly cultivated by tenants, and in 1840 > purchased a farm in Bedford township, Bedford county, upon which he resided > during the remainder of his life. He was extremely active in both church and > civil affairs, serving as justice of the peace for three terms of six years > each, and also holding the offices of supervisor and school director. He was > a member of the Reformed church and one of its principal supporters, holding > the office of elder for a number of years. He was the prime mover in the > project of building a church edifice in Bedford township, notwithstanding > the fact that the ministers of two congregations were sturdily opposed to > it. It is a noteworthy fact that his judgment found ample vindication, the > congregation with which he was identified becoming the largest in the > township. > > John S. Ritchey married Sophia Nickum, and their children were: i. William > V., born March 13, 1824., learned the carpenter's trade and engaged in > contracting and building. In 1863 he entered the army and served until the > close of the war, holding the rank of first lieutenant and subsequently > being promoted to that of captain. He married Angeline Licinger, died in > Pittsburg and is buried in Altoona. 2. Josiah, of whom later. 3. Mary Jane, > born December 25, 1831, of Altoona, widow of James Reed. 4. Rebecca, born > November 2, 1833, widow of Richard Sill, a farmer of Bedford, who died in > that county. 5. Margaret, born August 9, 1836, wife of John Yont, who lives > on the homestead in Bedford county. 6. Eliza, wife of John Forney, > millwright of Bedford county, now living in retirement at Altoona. 7. > Susanna, born July 10, 1841, died aged thirteen years. The mother of these > children died in 1855, and the father survived until 1870, passing away > universally respected and esteemed. > > Josiah Ritchey, second child and son of John S. and Sophia (Nickum) Ritchey, > was educated in the common schools of his native township, and in early > manhood learned tailoring, a trade which he followed industriously for the > space of fifteen years. In 1867 he purchased a farm in Bedford county, which > he successfully operated for twenty-eight years, selling it in 1893 and > removing to Harrisburg, where he has since resided in the enjoyment of a > pleasant and well-earned retirement. Like his father, Mr. Ritchey has ever > been closely and conspicuously identified with all movements having for > their object the welfare and advancement of the community. He has served > efficiently, at various times, as school director, assessor and judge of > election, his ability and popularity receiving their most striking tribute > in the fact that, although a pronounced Democrat, living in a strong > Republican township, whenever presented as a candidate, he was elected. He > has been for many years a zealous member of the Reformed church, in which he > long held the offices of deacon and elder, also serving as treasurer of the > parsonage building fund. > > Mr. Ritchey married, March 15, 1849, Emily Jane, born January 1, 1829, in > Cumberland county, Pennsylvania, daughter of George and Mary (Bushman) > Severs, and they became the parents of the following children: Melanton M., > born January 5, 1850, practising physician of Harrisburg, married Margaret > Gilbaugh. Vinton Henry, born October 26, 1851, druggist of Carlisle, married > Ellen Lehman. John S., born April 4?, 1853, of Altoona, married (first) a > Miss McCleary, (second) Sadie Shade. Mary C., born April ii, 1853, of > Harrisburg, married John Green, of Cumberland county. James W., born January > 1, 1859, real estate and insurance dealer of Harrisburg. Josie E., born > September 1, 1860, died young. Ida Belle, born February 21, 1862, of > Harrisburg. Thomas Grant, born November 23, 1863, deceased. George Franklin, > born January 13, 1865, practising physician of New Kingston, married Bertha > Herman, of that place. Harry W., born May 8, 1867, deceased. Charles H., > born January 22, 1869, of Altoona, married Carrie Hergeser. Daniel, born > April 21, 1871, jeweller and optician of Royersford, married Helen Gertrude > Gossard. Herman A., born February 22, 1874, dentist of Harrisburg, married > Annie Ward. > > History of Dauphin County, Pennsylvania, Luther Reily Kelker; Lewis Pub. > Co., 1907, pp. 354-5. > > Carol C. Eddleman > Director, Data Acquisition > PA-Roots, Inc. > http://www.pa-roots.com/