Christian and Louisa (Schucht-Sterling) Ritter

My youngest son's first name was chosen for two reasons. The first was because it is through my youngest son's birth that I realized that if I was going to call myself a Christian I needed to live the life of a Christian in honor of my Lord and Savior saving my life so many times. The other was that all of my children were named after family and my Grandmother's Grandfather's name happened to be Christian.

At the time I named my son after this Grandfather I only knew his name and his wife's name. Most of what I have learned over the years has come from government records and my cousin Connie T.

Christian Ritter was born on October 12, 1844 in Bruansweig, Germany. Christian immigration to the United States in 1869 from Germany to Ohio and then was naturalized sometime prior to June 8, 1900.

Christian Ritter's Immigration Information

Christian married Louisa Schucht Sterling on December 29, 1870 in Belmont County, Ohio.

Christian and Louisa Ritter Wedding Photo

Christian and Louisa Ritter Marriage Record

Louisa Schucht was born to Frederick and Louisa (Dockenfuss) Schucht in Hannover Stady Hannover Niedersachsen Germany. According to information provided by my cousin Connie T., Louisa’s father, Frederick died while digging a well in the backyard of the family home. After his passing his wife, Louisa (Dockenfuss) married. Louisa (Dockenfuss’) new husband was Michael Sterling and he adopted all her children.

1900 Census

Christian and Louisa Ritter are on line 54

All census information found of the Ritter family, Christian was a coal miner and Louisa was keeping house. Records show they lived in Martin’s Ferry, Belmont County, Ohio up until the 1920 census when Christian is found living in Beaver County with the couples oldest daughter’s family.

Christian and Louisa had 7 children together and Louisa brought one child to the marriage with her. The children are:

1. John Sterling was born November 1868.
2. William August Ritter was born January 23, 1871 in Martin’s Ferry, Belmont County, Ohio and died on June 25 1964 in Ellwood City, Lawrence Co., Pennsylvania.
3. Mary Helena Ritter (Parrington) was born April 10, 1875 in Martin’s Ferry, Belmont County, Ohio and May 1958 in Ellwood City, Lawrence Co., Pennsylvania.
4. Charles Ritter was born about 1877 in Martin’s Ferry, Belmont County, Ohio and died in the year 1910 in Beaver Co., Pennsylvania.
5. Heyward August Ritter born March 6, 1879 in Martin’s Ferry, Belmont County, Ohio and died November 26, 1962 in Ellwood City, Lawrence Co., Pennsylvania.
6. Anna Ritter (Turvey) was born about 1883 in Martin’s Ferry, Belmont County, Ohio and died about 1900 in Martin’s Ferry, Belmont County, Ohio.
7. Harry C. Ritter was born in February 1885 in Martin’s Ferry, Belmont County, Ohio.
8. George Ritter who we have no family information on at this time.

Louisa died on September 4, 1903 in Martin’s Ferry, Belmont County, Ohio and 

Card from Louisa Ritter's Funeral

Christian died on July 2, 1929 in Martin’s Ferry, Belmont County, Ohio from labored pneumonia.

Christian Ritter's Certificate of Death

I don’t remember my Grandmother ever speaking of her father’s parents, but my Great-Aunt Mary Ellen said about her Grandfather, “They called Grandpap Ritter the ‘silver haired fox’. When asked why he was called this she said it was because he was a known womanizer and would sneak around on his wife.

Christian standing in front of his home in Martin's Ferry, Ohio

 As I said in the beginning when I named my son I didn't know anything about Christian Ritter. I can say though that I still would have named my child after him, regardless of some saying he was a womanizer. I say that because through my years of doing family history I have learned that people are not just what others remember about them. I am sure years from now there will be many things people can say about me and my past, but that doesn't take away from my worth or value. Just as the Silver Haired Fox doesn't take away from Christian Ritter's worth and value.