Bartholomew-Jennings-Shelby County IN Archives Biographies.....Ritz, George C. 1832 - before 1904 ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.rootsweb.com/~usgenweb/copyright.htm http://www.rootsweb.com/~usgenweb/in/infiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Joy Fisher sdgenweb@yahoo.com January 21, 2007, 1:53 am Author: B. F. Bowen (1904) GEORGE C. RITZ. Concentration of purpose and persistently applied energy rarely fail of success in the accomplishment of any task and when we examine the life record of George C. Ritz in order to find how he has won his position among the substantial residents of Bartholomew county, we find that there have been strong elements in his business career. He is now one of the old and respected citizens of Sand Creek township. His birth occurred in Saxony, Germany, on the 9th of April, 1832; his parents being John and Magdalena (Dismong) Ritz. The father was a wagonmaker and millwright by trade and in the year 1842 he bade adieu to his native country and came with his family to the new world, hoping that he could provide in a better way for his wife and children in this country, where business opportunities are greater. On landing on the coast he at once started into the interior of the country and established his home in Ripley county, Indiana, settling upon a farm where he lived for eighteen months. He was then called to his final rest. His widow survived him for a number of years and became the wife of a Mr. Hartman. George C. Ritz was a youth of ten when brought by his parents to the new world. He remained at home until fourteen years of age and then started out in life on his own account. Everything that he has enjoyed or possessed since that time has been acquired through his own labors. He first learned the blacksmith's trade, which he followed for a number of years and it was in that way that he got his start. His career has ever been characterized by industry and his life record proves what a potent force in business circles is unremitting diligence. In the year 1852 Mr. Ritz was united in marriage to Miss Anna B. Anwiler, who was born in Germany in 1836 and came to this country in the year 1846. They resided near Madison, Indiana, for some time and afterward removed to Shelby county, and subsequently they became residents of Jennings county, Indiana. In the year 1866 they arrived in Bartholomew county and Mr. Ritz purchased eighty acres of land which he cultivated and improved in connection with carrying on the blacksmith's trade. Subsequently he purchased twenty-five acres adjoining the original purchase and he now also has a farm of forty acres in Jennings county and some town property. His farm in Bartholomew county has received his undivided attention and his energies have resulted in making it a highly cultivated tract improved with all modern equipments. His fields are richly cultivated and return to him a golden tribute for the care and labor bestowed upon them. He also has good grades of stock upon his place and everything about it is neat, thrifty and progressive. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Ritz have been born ten children, of whom seven are yet living, namely: John; George; Andrew; Charles W.; Mary, who is the wife of Charles Dinkans; Christina, who is the wife of John Henney; Anna, the wife of Fred Buckingham; Carrie, the wife of James Barr; and Maggie, the wife of Alonzo McPherson. The parents reared their children in the faith of the Lutheran church, of which Mr. and Mrs. Ritz have long been active and worthy members. Both are well known in Sand Creek township and are honorable and upright people. In his political views Mr. Ritz is a Republican, but never takes any part in politics aside from casting his ballot in support of the party. He has now lived in the county for more than a third of a century and has witnessed much of its development and progress, while his identification with agricultural interests has been a factor in winning for the county a splendid reputation as an agricultural district and also in gaining for himself a comfortable competence. Additional Comments: Extracted from BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD OF BARTHOLOMEW COUNTY INDIANA INCLUDING BIOGRAPHIES OF THE GOVERNORS AND OTHER REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS OF INDIANA ILLUSTRATED 1904 B. F. Bowen PUBLISHER File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/in/bartholomew/bios/ritz693gbs.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.org/infiles/ File size: 4.6 Kb