My Genealogy Hound

John Ritter, farmer and merchant, was born in Berne, Germany, in 1839, and here he grew up and received his education. In 1863 he left his native country and sailed for America, to make a home in the new world. After landing at New York he came to St. Louis, and worked at the stone-mason’s trade, and in connection with this ran a small lunch house and carried newspapers. About 1875 he came to Franklin County, and settled upon his present farm, which he had purchased some years previously. The same year he opened a small store of general merchandise, and this has grown to be one of the best country stores in the county. In 1882 he secured the postoffice at Port Hudson, and of this he has been postmaster ever since. In 1868 he married Miss Christina Meismann, a native of Prussia, Germany, born in 1842. The fruits of this union were four children: Henry (who died when an infant, in 1872), Mary, Rosa and William. Mr. Ritter is a Democrat in his political views, and he and his wife are members of the Catholic Church. His father, Henry Ritter, died in Germany at the age of fifty-two, and his mother, whose maiden name was Mary E. Pane, after her son had located here, crossed the ocean and made her home with our subject until her death, which occurred in this county. In connection with his store Mr. Ritter is interested in farming, and now owns 170 acres. At the time of his advent to this country he had but ninety-five cents, and now he is a successful farmer and business man.