Henry Ritter, 1875-1938

 Family history post:

A short one this time, as there isn’t much info available…

87 years ago next week, one of my Great Grand-Uncles passed away.  He was 63 years old.

Henry Ritter was born in Chebanse, Illinois, to George and Henrietta (Belk) Ritter in September 1875.  His older sister Wilhemine (Minnie) was my Great Grandmother. Both of Henry’s parents had been born in Germany, and had traveled to America right at the end of our Civil War. They were married in Kankakee County 1868, and started their family shortly after.

Henry’s father was a harness maker by trade, so I’m guessing they must have had a house in town. The census taker didn’t include street or house numbers, unfortunately.

1880 Census, Chebanse IL

When Henry was 10 years old, a big snowstorm swept across the region.  The roads had to be shoveled by hand.  I bet Henry helped!  The next year, when he was 11 years old, a bad hail storm and tornado caused total destruction in a 4-mile wide path through Chebanse.  I have no information on whether or not the Ritter home survived. The following year, when he was 12 years old, the first cement sidewalk was built in town.

In the 1900 census, Henry was boarding at a hotel (operated by George Milk) in Chebanse.  He was a painter by trade. I have not been able to find him in the 1910 or 1920 census.

1900 Census, Chebanse IL

Chebanse IL, unknown year... notice the Hotel sign on the left, and the Paint advertisement on the far right.  This could be the hotel Henry was boarding at in 1900, and he likely purchased paint from the store on the right.

In 1918, he filled out a WWI registration card.  He’s described as being of medium height and slender build, with brown eyes and brown hair.  He also writes that he would be physically disqualified from the War, because his left arm was off at the elbow.  Obviously, there is a story there…and I wish we knew it. Perhaps something that happened during the 1886 tornado?

WWI registration card, page 1

WWI registration card, page 2

In the 1930 census, Henry was boarding with the Amos Clausen family on Orchard Street in Chebanse.  He’s listed as a Painter/Paperhanger.

Sadly, Henry passed away on October 13, 1938.  His obituary states that a neighbor discovered the body, and it was believed to have been a heart attack.  He never married or had children. Henry is buried in the Evergreen Cemetery in Chebanse.

1938 obituary

Evergreen Cemetery, Chebanse IL