My Genealogy Hound

Below is a family biography included in Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Calhoun County, Arkansas published by Goodspeed Publishing Company in 1890.  These biographies are valuable for genealogy research in discovering missing ancestors or filling in the details of a family tree. Family biographies often include far more information than can be found in a census record or obituary.  Details will vary with each biography but will often include the date and place of birth, parent names including mothers' maiden name, name of wife including maiden name, her parents' names, name of children (including spouses if married), former places of residence, occupation details, military service, church and social organization affiliations, and more.  There are often ancestry details included that cannot be found in any other type of genealogical record.

* * * *

John B. Ritchie, an enterprising and prosperous farmer of Polk Township, was born in Mississippi in 1853, the eldest of a family of six children born to Samuel H. and Mary Elizabeth (Donaldson) Ritchie. His father was a farmer by occupation and followed that calling in Mississippi until 1858, when he came to Arkansas and settled in Polk Township, this county. Here he bought 350 acres, somewhat improved, but he instituted more extensive improving during the few years that he lived after coming here, dying in May of 1861. The mother is still living. Our subject received his education at the common schools of this county, but during the war the schools in this section were closed, consequently his educational advantages were limited. John B. Ritchie was reared on a farm, and it was but natural in choosing his occupation in life he should select that of farming. In 1872 he bought his present farm of 120 acres, on which he made many improvements, erected a dwelling, cleared about forty acres, and now has one of the best farms in the township. He has now 100 acres under cultivation and raises a variety of crops, making a specialty, however, of cotton. In 1872 Mr. Ritchie was married, choosing as his companion in life Miss Margaret J. Benson, daughter of W. C. Benson, a pioneer in this section. This union was blessed with nine children, all living except one Emma Maud, who died in the year 1889 at the age of four years. The surviving children are: William Henry, Zollercoffer, Charles Edward, Clara, Hattie Elizabeth, Norah, Ada and Lee. The family are members of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. Mr. Ritchie is an active and enterprising citizen, and takes an earnest interest in all worthy enterprises. He has served as school director for the last seven years.

* * * *

This family biography is one of 67 biographies included in Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Calhoun County, Arkansas published in 1890.  For the complete description, click here: Calhoun County, Arkansas History, Genealogy, and Maps

To view additional Calhoun County, Arkansas family biographies, click here

Use the links at the top right of this page to search or browse thousands of other family biographies.