Bedford County PA Archives Biographies.....Ritchey, William D.    
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File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by:
Judy Banja jbanja@msn.com May 2003


WILLIAM D. RITCHEY, general merchant, a liberal-minded, 
progressive citizen of Tatesville, Pa., was born in West 
Providence, Bedford County, March 14, 1840, a son of Jacob 
and Sarah (Stoner) Ritchey.  He comes of substantial pioneer 
 stock, his paternal grandfather, Adam Ritchey, having been 
among the earlier settlers of West Providence.  Jacob 
Ritchey, the father above named, was born in Bedford County. 
 For a number of years during his active career he owned and 
operated a tannery in Hopewell township, where his death 
occurred in 1864.  He was identified by membership with the 
Reformed church, and was well known in this part of the 
county.
  William D. Ritchey was educated in the schools of Hopewell 
township, where he grew to manhood.  In his later youth he 
worked for a time at farm labor, but subsequently learned 
the carpenter's trade.  In 1861, shortly after the breaking 
out of the Civil War, he enlisted in Company F, Eighth 
Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, which was assigned to that 
part of the Army of the Potomac then known as the 
Pennsylvania Reserves.  With his regiment he was on the 
field of action in a number of important engagements, 
including the following - the battle at Drainsville, the 
seven days' fight before Richmond, at Fredericksburg, the 
battles of the Wilderness, at Weldon Railroad, the siege of 
Petersburg, and Hatcher's Run.  He was also at Appomattox 
when General Lee surrendered and the conflict was ended.  
While on duty before Richmond he was so seriously injured as 
to necessitate his removal to the hospital at David's 
Island, New York, where he was confined for a time, and had 
to submit to an operation before recovery. He was 
subsequently captured twice by the rebels, on each occasion 
making his escape by running the gauntlet.  He enlisted as a 
private, was afterward made Color Corporal, and subsequently 
promoted to the rank of First Duty Sergeant, receiving his 
discharge as such.  Returning then to Hopewelll, Mr. Ritchey 
was for nine years a foreman for Harris & Dorrier, who 
manufactured hoops for the Cuban sugar trade.  After giving 
up that position he was connected for about eighteen years 
with the Huntingdon & Broad Top Mountain Railway Company as 
a carpenter, his work being chiefly confined to bridge 
building.  For a number of years he has carried on general 
farming to some extent, and since 1898, when he purchased 
the entire business of O. F. Clapper, a merchant in 
Tatesville, he has been successfully engaged in mercantile 
pursuits.  He is a stanch Republican in politics, and has 
served as Road Supervisor in Hopewell township.  
Fraternally, he is a member of the Grand Army Post, of 
Everett, Pa.
  Mr. Ritchey has been three times married, and is the 
father of five children; namely, John T., James W., Ida C., 
Annie E., and Sallie.


Source: Bedford Biographical Review, 1899, Bedford Co., Pa