My Genealogy Hound

JOHN C. RITCHIE is one of those progressive, wide-awake farmers who find both pleasure and profit in cultivating the soil, and by means of dignity and ability tend to raise the standard of their chosen occupation. Besides agricultural pursuits, he is also interested in dairy farming, owning at the present time twenty-nine Jersey cows. His estate, which comprises two hundred acres, is pleasantly located on section 10, township 4, range 6, where also he has erected his creamery, and now turns out each week two hundred pounds of butter.

The father of our subject, Robert J. Ritchie, was born in County Deny, Ireland, in 1794, and was the son of William Ritchie, who married a Miss Hemphill. The maiden name of our subject’s mother was Jane Marshall. She was a native of South Carolina, and the daughter of James Marshall, who was married in that state. On coming to Illinois in 1837, he located on a farm three miles south of Edin, this county, and three years later came to this township. Here he entered land from the Government and made his permanent home, dying in 1866. His good wife preceded him to the better land by many years, departing this life in 1844. They were the parents of six children, of whom those living besides our subject are: Mary, the wife of Moore Smith, who resides on section 11, township 4; and Jane, Mrs. Coulter, who lives in Arkansas.

After the death of his first wife, the father of our subject was married to Miss Margaret, daughter of Samuel Little, one of the earliest settlers in this section. By this union was born a daughter, Martha, who is now the wife of George Marshall, and who lives in Arkansas. The parents of our subject were members of the Reformed Presbyterian Church, and were good and consistent Christians.

John C. Ritchie was born January 31, 1835, in Fairfield District, S. C., and was only two years of age when his parents made their advent into this state, and five years old when they located on what is now his farm. Here he grew to man’s estate, attending the district school and supplementing the knowledge gained therein by a term of six months in the Sparta schools. When eighteen years of age he hired out by the month to work on farms, and spent five years thus employed.

In 1858 Mr. Ritchie and Miss Sarah, daughter of Charles and Mary (Hunter) McKelvey, old settlers in this county, were united in marriage. Mrs. Ritchie was born November 26, 1836, on the old McKelvey homestead, in this township, and has spent her entire life in Randolph County. After the decease of his father, our subject purchased the interest in the old homestead of his sisters, and since then has been engaged in its profitable operation. As before stated, it comprises two hundred acres, and he has added to his income as a farmer by erecting a creamery on the farm, which is supplied with all modern machinery, and the churning is done by steam. The product of the dairy, which is of high grade, is disposed of mostly at Marissa. Mr. Ritchie is also largely interested in stock-raising, and has a number of Chester-White hogs on his farm.

Of the nine children born to our subject and his wife, we give the following: Charles M. married Jane Hemphill; Mary Ida is the wife of Oliver Wiley; William S. is the next in order of birth; Jane Amelia is the wife of Hugh McClure; James L., John W., Sidney Willis, Sarah Mabel and Stella are at home. They have all been given good educations, and the eldest son, who is a minister in the United Presbyterian Church, has a charge at Oakdale, this state. Mr. and Mrs. Ritchie are members of the Reformed Presbyterian Church, in which body the former has been Trustee for thirty years. He has also filled the office of School Director, and in politics votes the Prohibition ticket. William S., the second son of our subject, is attending school in the Allegheny Seminary, in Allegheny, Pa., where he is fitting himself to become a minister, for which calling James and John are also preparing themselves. James is attending school at Groves City, Pa., and prior to going there was graduated from the Sparta High School, standing one hundred in every study for three examinations.