RITCHIE, JOHN B - Calhoun County, Arkansas | JOHN B RITCHIE - Arkansas Gravestone Photos

John B RITCHIE

Means (Hampton) Cemetery
Calhoun County,
Arkansas

November 4, 1853 - September 30, 1932

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 lived after coming here, dying in May of 1861. The mother is still living. Our subject received his education at the common schools of his county, bur 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 for life he should select that of farming. In 1872 he bought his preent 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 1880 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. (Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Southern Arkansas - Goodspeed Publishing Company - 1890)

Contributed on 12/16/08 by debbraszymanski
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Record #: 123695

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Submitted: 12/16/08 • Approved: 8/14/15 • Last Updated: 6/26/23 • R123695-G0-S3

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