My Genealogy Hound

GEORGE RITCHEY. engineer, post office Verona, was born in County Down, Ireland, Feb. 9, 1836, and in 1848 his parents, George and Mary (Cherry) Ritchey, embarked for America. They settled in Penn township, Allegheny county, where the grandfather, Thomas Cherry, had settled some time before. Here Mrs. Ritchey died, in May, 1886, the mother of five boys and five girls. Of these George is the third eldest. He attended the Round Hill school, Penn township, and worked with his father until he was twenty-two years of age. He then married Sarah A. Gray, a native of Penn township, and daughter of Samuel Gray. The following children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Ritchey: Elizabeth, Ella (Mrs. H. L. Hoelin), William, James, Watson, Belle (Mrs. Cyrus Shade), Murray and Samuel; Edward, Emma and George are at home. Mrs. Ritchey is a member of the U. P. Church. Mr. Ritchey is a member of the I. O. O. F., Royal Arcanum and L. O. L., No. 33. Three years after marriage he sold his place to enter the army, but sickness in his family prevented his going. In 1874 he became engineer at the Verona Tool-works, which position he still holds. Jan. 28, 1885, he was caught in the engine drive wheel, and the side of his face, arms and limbs were ground to the bone. After eight months he recovered, though he has some very bad scars left to tell the terrible work of a few moments.