BIO: Joseph Ritner, Cumberland County, PA Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by Judy Bookwalter Copyright 2011. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/cumberland/ ______________________________________________________________________ History of Cumberland and Adams Counties, Pennsylvania. Containing History of the Counties, Their Townships, Towns, Villages, Schools, Churches, Industries, Etc.; Portraits of Early Settlers and Prominent Men; Biographies; History of Pennsylvania; Statistical and Miscellaneous Matter, Etc., Etc. Illustrated. Chicago: Warner, Beers & Co., 1886. http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/cumberland/beers/beers.htm ______________________________________________________________________ PART II. HISTORY OF CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA. CHAPTER LX. WEST PENNSBOROUGH TOWNSHIP. 586 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: JOSEPH RITNER (deceased), ex-governor of Pennsylvania, was born where the city of Reading, Berks Co., Penn., now stands, March 25, 1780. His grandfather, John Ritner, a descendant of one of the noble families of Silesia, located for some time in Alsace, then a part of France, but afterward came to America and settled in Berks County, Penn.; his son, Michael, who was a soldier of distinction in the Revolution, serving until its close, swam Long Island Sound, being one of the very few that escaped by that route, and he was in the service at the time of the birth of his illustrious son. He followed the trade of weaver, locating in turn at Lancaster, Carlisle and York, where he died. Our subject, at twelve years of age, was hired out by his father to Jacob Myers, a farmer near Churchtown, this county, but who afterward moved to near Newville, and there Joseph Ritner lived until his marriage, May 26, 1801, with Miss Susan, daughter of Jacob Alter. In 1803 they moved to Westmoreland County, Penn., with her father, of whom Mr. Ritner bought a tract of land in Washington County (about six miles west of Washington and three north of Taylorstown), and there devoted himself to the development of his estate; he served under Gen. Harrison in the war of 1812; was nominated to the Legislature, without his knowledge, in 1821, on the Democratic ticket, and triumphantly elected. He was re-elected six consecutive terms, serving as speaker three terms, being unanimously elected the last time - the only instance on record in this State. He was a candidate of the Democratic Anti-Masonic party for governor in 1829, 1832 and 1835, being elected the last time. The acts of his administration were in the highest degree beneficial to the people of Pennsylvania. It was during this time (in 1836) that the present efficient school law was finally enacted and the State debts reduced over $100,000, a striking contrast to the administration immediately preceding and succeeding. He took a decided stand against the formation of monopolies in coal, land and railroads; opposed re- chartering State banks, then making application, and pointed out the evils that would result if they were successful. His veto was disregarded, and the evils he predicted speedily followed, causing general financial distress throughout the State. The great statesman, Thaddeus Stevens, was his intimate friend, and the plans marked out by Gov. Ritner were generally followed by Mr. Stevens. Of the circumstances of his last race, in 1838, it is sufficient to say that had there been a more fair and honest election the State might have been spared the unfortunate administration of Gov. Porter. At the close of his term Mr. Ritner purchased the bank farm, formerly owned by Gen. Foster, at Mount Rock, West Pennsborough Township, this county, where he resided the remainder of his life. He was an intimate friend of Gen. Harrison, who favored him whenever the opportunity offered. He devoted his attention to managing his estate until his retirement in 1848, continuing to take an active interest in public affairs. He lived a temperate and regular life, enjoying robust health. Personally he was of medium stature and portly build, weighing about 240 pounds during the latter half of his life. He passed away painlessly, through natural decay, ending his eventful and useful life October 19, 1869, in his ninetieth year. Gov. Ritner was a man of clear, quick perceptions, strong and persevering will, and of unimpeachable honesty, ever interested in the welfare of the people. He was opposed to the institution of slavery, a foe to secession, and at the decline of the Whig party became a Republican. During his service in the Legislature he was cotemporary with Dr. Jesse R. Burden, William M. Meredith, Joel B. Sutherland, Jonathan Roberts, James L. Gillelen and other illustrious men, from among whom he was chosen to the highest positions and received the most distinguished honors. Gov. Ritner's beloved wife died in 1853. They reared nine children, 587 WEST PENNSBOROUGH TOWNSHIP. all of whom reared families but one - Joseph, a graduate of the United States Military Academy at West Point, but who resigned from the army, married, and took a professorship in Washington College; afterward received a commission as first lieutenant in the army, but died at home, in 1833, before assuming his duties; he had served with great distinction in the Black Hawk war. Abraham, a conductor on the Cumberland Valley Railroad, died at Chambersburg, Penn., in 1852; Henry was killed by a railroad accident at Burlington, Iowa, in 1863; Michael died in Bloomfield, N. J., in 1872, was a civil engineer on the Morris & Essex Railroad; Jacob, a farmer, died in South Middleton Tp., this county, in 1871; Mrs. Susan Kreichbaum died in 1854; Emma died in 1876; Mrs. Margaret Alter is now living at Kirkwood, Mo.; and Peter, the only surviving son, and who was born September 13, 1818, in Washington County, Penn., completed his education under Prof. Alfred Armstrong, of Harrisburg, Penn., came to West Pennsborough Township, this county, with his father, in 1839, and here cast his first vote for Gen. Harrison in 1840, and has supported the Whig and Republican parties ever since. He remained on this farm with his father, which place he purchased in 1856, and still owns, having here a fine farm of 156 acres. He married, February 16, 1843, Miss Mary Jane, daughter of William Davidson, and who died June 5, 1845, leaving one son, William D., now a clerk in the Treasury Department at Washington, D. C. Mr. Ritner married, in 1848, Miss Amelia Jane, daughter of Alexander Davidson, and she died October 18, 1870, leaving four children: Anna M., Mary D., Walter Clark and Joseph Alexander, having lost three in infancy. Mr. Ritner subsequently married, November, 1872, Mrs. Jane Mary McKeehan. Mr. and Mrs. Ritner and daughters are members of the Presbyterian Church. He is a worthy descendant of a noble father, a man of education and wide influence.