Frederick Ritter Biography


	This biography appears on pages 1165-1166 in "History of South 
	Dakota" by Doane Robinson, Vol. II (1904) and was scanned, 
	OCRed and edited by Maurice Krueger, mkrueger@iw.net.

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	FREDERICK RITTER, a prosperous farmer and stock raiser of 
Jefferson township, Bon Homme county, is a native of Germany, born in 
the kingdom of Hanover, August 22, 1841. His father, also named 
Frederick, died in Hanover, at the age of forty-two, and later the 
mother came to America and settled in Iowa, where her death occurred 
some years ago. Frederick and Catherine (Bloom) Ritter reared a family 
of three children, one son, the subject of this review, and two 
daughters, the older of whom, Christina, married Henry Rhoderwolt and 
the younger, Louisa by name, having died in the land of her birth. 

	Frederick Ritter was reared and educated in Hanover and at the age 
of twenty began life for himself as a carpenter. Shortly after leaving 
home he came to America, arriving in this country in 1864 and settled at 
Richton, Cook county, Illinois, where he worked at his trade during the 
ensuing eight years, meanwhile accumulating a handsome property, 
consisting of several lots and five and a half acres of valuable land in 
the vicinity of the town. Disposing of these possessions in 1871, he 
started west and in the spring of the following year settled in Butler 
county, Iowa, where he followed his chosen calling until 1881. In the 
spring of the latter year Mr. Ritter came to Bon Homme county, South 
Dakota, and took up a quarter section of land in Jefferson township, 
which he still owns and on which he has made a number of substantial 
improvements, converting it into one of the most productive and 
desirable farms in the neighborhood. He has also added to his realty 
from time to time and now owns five hundred and sixty acres of as fine 
land as the county of Bon Homme can boast, the greater part of which is 
under a high state of cultivation, besides containing good buildings, 
fences and many other evidences of prosperity. He is an enterprising 
farmer and since coming west has taken advantage of every opportunity to 
improve his financial condition, ranking at the present time with the 
leading agriculturists and stock raisers of Bon Homme county, as well as 
enjoying high standing as an energetic, public-spirited man of affairs. 

	Mr. Ritter not only erected all the buildings on his own place, 
but has also done considerable mechanical work in the neighborhood and 
throughout the county. He is a skillful carpenter and for several years 
after coming to this state his services were in great demand, many of 
the best residences, barns and other buildings in the surrounding 
country bearing evidence to his efficiency as a master of his trade. In 
politics Mr. Ritter votes for the man instead of party and advocates 
principles which in his judgment make for the best interests of his 
country. In religion he subscribes to the Lutheran creed and for a 
number of years has been a faithful and consistent member of the church, 
contributing liberally of his means to the support of the local 
congregation to which he belongs. 

	In the year 1862 Mr. Ritter was united in marriage with Miss 
Dorothee Deerking, also a native of Hanover, the union being blessed 
with ten children, namely: Fred, Jr., a farmer and stock raiser of 
Charles Mix county, South Dakota; Charles, who is interested with his 
father in farming and the live-stock business; Henry, also at home and a 
partner of his father and older brother; William, a resident of Charles 
Mix county, and a farmer by occupation; Annie, wife of Fred Rabece, of 
the above county; Frank, a member of the home circle; Dora, now Mrs. 
Henry Evers, of Charles Mix; Helen, Walter and George.