Biographical Sketch of William E. Rittman, Johnson County, Missouri, Columbus Township >From "History of Johnson County, Missouri," by Ewing Cockrell, Historical Publishing Company, Topeka, Cleveland, 1918. ********************************************************************** William Edward Rittman, proprietor of "Honey Creek Stock Farm," in Columbus township, is one of the well known and competent farmers and stockmen of Johnson county. He is a native of this county and a member of one of the prominent early families. Mr. Rittman was born in 1871 in Hazel Hill township, a son of Frank and Matilda E. (Markham) Ritt- man. Frank Rittman was a native of Bavaria on the river Rhine. He emigrated from the old country and came to America when he was a young man, making the ocean voyage on a sailing boat, taking forty-eight days to make the journey. Mr. Rittman landed first at New Orleans and from that city went on up the Mississippi river to Illinois, in which state he remained for some time and then returned to New Orleans. He was drafted into the Confederate army, which he deserted nine months later, and, returning to Illinois, enlisted in Company F, Eighty-second Illi- nois Infantry. Mr. Rittman escaped from the Confederates April 18, 1862. He and five other men were detailed to go up the banks of the Mississippi river to watch for Yankee gunboats. The men walked about two miles following the river banks, when the sergeant gave orders to return. Two Irishmen, who were with the little company, made a dash for liberty and the sergeant and Mr. Rittman pursued them. The deser- ters had been retaken by the sergeant, when Frank Rittman appeared on the scene, disarmed the officer, and started him back to his followers, while he and the Irishmen made good their escape. For the remainder of the war, Mr. Rittman served with the Union army. He took an active part in the battles of Missionary Ridge, Gettysburg, and those of Sherman's Georgia campaign, besides numerous engagements of lesser significance. In the first named battle, Mr. Rittman was seriously wounded. After the war had ended, he came to Missouri, first locating in Kansas City and thence coming to Warrensburg about 1865. For sever- al years, he was employed as teamster, working between Warrensburg and Clinton. He later located on a farm in Hazel Hill township, which he rented for six years, and then purchased the place now owned by his son, J. F. Rittman. To Frank and Matilda E. Rittman were born five children: William Edward, the subject of this review; Mrs. Anna Schaffer, Bliss, Oklahoma; J. F., Columbus township; John, Hazel Hill township, a sketch of whom appears elsewhere in this volume; and Mrs. Katie B. Claunch, deceased. The father died about 1889 and burial was made at Mount Moriah cemetery. Mrs. Matilda Rittman died in 1911 and her remains were laid to rest beside her husband in the cemetery at Mount Moriah. In the public schools of Simpson and Hazel Hill town- ships, William Edward Rittman obtained his education. Since he was sixteen of age, Mr. Rittman has made his own way in life. His first farm comprised one hundred acres of land, this tract being part of the Simpson Brown place. Mr. Rittman sold this farm and purchased one hundred sixty acres of land, from Henry Russell, which he later sold and bought his present country home in Columbus township, an excellent stock farm embracing three hundred sixty acres of land known as "Honey Creek Stock Farm." This is an ideal stock farm, abundantly watered and nicely improved. Since his coming to this farm, Mr. Rittman has built two large barns and drilled a three hundred thirteen foot well. The residence and barns are situated on the highest part of the farm, thus affording a splendid view of the surrounding country. The Rittman country place is one of the beautiful and attractive homes of Johnson county. January 12, 1898, William Edward Rittman and Bertha A. Manis, daughter of I. W. and Sallie (Parman) Manis, of Simpson township, were united in marriage. Mr. Manis is a native of Kentucky and his wife of Simpson township. I. W. Manis came to Missouri from Kentucky in the early sixties and he and Mrs. Manis still reside at the old homestead located five and a half miles north and east of Warrensburg. To Mr. and Mrs. Rittman have been born two children: Alfred, who was born November 27, 1899; and Helen. Alfred is now a student at the Warrens- burg State Normal School and Helen is at home with her parents, on the beautiful country place in Columbus township. The Rittman family is enrolled among the beset families of this county and all the Rittmans have for many years, been considered good, substantial citizens of Missouri. ==================================================================== USGENWEB NOTICE: In keeping with our policy of providing free information on the Internet, data may be used by non-commercial entities, as long as this message remains on all copied material. These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or for presentation by other persons or organizations. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material for purposes other than stated above must obtain the written consent of the file contributor. This file was contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by: <> Penny (Eisenbarger) Harrell ====================================================================