Bio of RITCHIE, John H. (b.1873), Hennepin Co., MN
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EXTRACTED FROM: History of Minneapolis, Gateway to the Northwest; 
Chicago-Minneapolis, The S J Clarke Publishing Co, 1923; Edited by: Rev. 
Marion Daniel Shutter, D.D., LL.D.; Volume I - Shutter (Historical); 
volume II - Biographical; volume III - Biographical
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Vol II, pg 571-572
JOHN H. RITCHIE
John H. Ritchie, newspaper man and humorist, who became one of the best known
representatives of journalism in the northwest, was born at Carlinville,
Illinois, July 9, 1873. He came to his profession by right of inheritance,
being, as it were, "to the manner born," for his father, Frederick Barnard
Ritchie, was a newspaper man of Carlinville and the son John had his first
experience at typesetting when but seven years of age. In the pursuit of his
education he attended the high school at Waverly, Illinois, and a little later
secured a position on the staff of the St. Louis Globe Democrat, with which he
remained until 1890, when he entered the employ of the St. Louis Star-Sayings as
a sport writer, specializing on bicycling. Following the death of his father in
the year 1897 he returned to Waverly, where he conducted the Waverly Journal as
his father's successor.
In 1899 Mr. Ritchie removed to Jacksonville, Illinois, where he aided in
estab­lishing the Central Illinois Democrat, but this venture did not prove a
financial success and he accepted the position of advertising manager of the
Decatur (Ill.) Review. At a later date he was connected with the advertising
department of Trade, published at Detroit, Michigan, and there remained until
his removal to Rochester, New York. In the latter city he was connected with
various newspapers, serving successively upon the staffs of the Times, the
Democrat, the Chronicle, the Post-Express and the Herald, and was also
representative of the Associated Press for a time. He was occupying the position
of assistant managing editor of the Rochester Herald when in 1904 he accepted
the position proffered him by The Minneapolis Journal. From that date until his
demise he was continuously connected with The Journal, most of the time as
sports editor, although for a while he was city editor. Since his demise there
has been published a most interesting and entertaining little volume under the
title of "Bill Varmint," and the foreword written for the book indicates most
clearly Mr. Ritchie's position and his style as a writer, so that it is here
given intact: "This is John H. Ritchie's book-John Ritchie who for many years,
with facile and piquant pen, entertained a multitude of readers throughout the
northwest. In the little volume will be found a group of sketches culled from
the many turned out by Mr. Ritchie during the period that he served as sports
editor of The Minneapolis Journal. John Ritchie created the character 'Bill
Varmint' to serve as a vehicle for whimsical attacks upon sham, pretense,
hypocrisy, snobbery, pests and kindred objectives. For years this character,
phrasing his remarks in the jargon of the streets, spoke each week to the
readers of The Journal's Sports Section. 'Varmint' had a knack of aiming his
complaints at things that long had warranted complaining but which had been
overlooked, up to that time, by other critics. There­fore his 'grouches' usually
won instant sympathy from an army of regular readers. The Diary of a Duffer' was
written by Mr. Ritchie during the days that he himself was learning the game of
golf. To a great extent it chronicles the author's own experiences in seeking to
master the difficulties of that great outdoor game. These experiences are set
forth so humorously that they are certain to lighten the monotony of the annual
winter imprisonment of any snowbound golf fiend. Love Letters of a Pugilist' was
originally produced as another Sport Page serial. At that time the Minnesota
boxing law had just begun to operate and the genius vulgarly known a? 'Ham
Fighter'-the uncouth lad who earns a precarious living for himself by risking
his jawbone in preliminary bouts-was becoming well known in the Twin Cities. The
letters written by the aspiring preliminary fighter to his 'girl' back in the
home town made an instant hit, not only with boxing fans, but with readers who
didn't even know whether a prize ring was round or square."
In 1896 Mr. Ritchie was united in marriage to Miss Frances Deatherage, a
daugh­ter of W. W. and Frances (Challen) Deatherage, residents of Waverly,
Illinois. Three children were born to them: Dorothy; Frederick, who is a high
school graduate; and Robert, now a high school pupil. Mr. Ritchie. passed away
on the 23d of February 1919, and his death was the occasion of deep and
widespread regret to his friends, who were legion. He was very fond of the game
of golf and turned to it for recrea tion. He belonged to the Minneapolis
Athletic Club and usually gave his political allegiance to the democratic party
but was liberal in his political opinions. He held membership in the Lowry Hill
Congregational church and throughout his entire career he shed around him much
of the sunshine of life. He recognized the foibles and the weaknesses of mankind
and sought to overcome these through the judicious use o humor in his waitings.
"Bill Varmint" became a character in the newspaper worl<: of the northwest, to
which the readers of The Minneapolis Journal eagerly turne* each day,
recognizing the words of wisdom set forth by this droll character, whu through
Mr. Ritchie's facile pen was made to express great truths tending to bring about
better conditions in connection with those courtesies of life which have their
root in the centuries old admonition: "Do unto others as you would have them do
unto you." The world is certainly better because John H. Ritchie lived.