BIOGRAPHIES: Ole A. RITAN, Cumberland, Barron County, WI

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**Posted for informational purposes only - poster is not related to the 
subject of this biography and has no further information.

Ole A. Ritan, lumberman and merchant, Cumberland, Barron county, was born 
in Norway, February 16, 1849, a son of Andrew and Isabel Ritan. His early 
life was spent in Norway, where his education was obtained.  He came to 
America in 1867, and located in Lansing, Iowa.  He remained there six years, 
then came to Wisconsin, and in 1874 located on a homestead in Cumberland 
township, Barron county.  In 1878 Mr. Ritan established a general store in 
Cumberland, the first one built on the island.  Andy, his oldest son, was 
born April 5, 1875, and was the first white child born in Cumberland township, 
then known as Lakeland township.  Mr. Ritan is the oldest settler now in 
Cumberland, there being no one here now who was here when he came.  He was a 
member of the first board of supervisors, which position he held for a number 
of years, and was also town treasurer one year.  He was one of the first 
board of aldermen when the city was organized, and was previously president 
of the village council.  Mr. Ritan has been more than ordinarily successful 
in his business career, commencing as he did, with nothing, while today he 
is one of the solid business men of the city.  September 19, 1873, Mr. Ritan 
married, in Iowa, Miss Carrie, daughter of Elling Stone.  Four children have 
been born to them, namely:  Andy, Emily, Elling and Oscar.  The family are 
members of the Norwegian Lutheran society.  Mr. Ritan is a member of Masonic 
Lodge No. 223, of Cumberland, and of K. of P. Lodge No. 62.  Politically he 
is a prohibitionist.

-Transcribed from the "Historical and Biographical Album of the Chippewa 
Valley Wisconsin, 1891-2", pages 505-506.