Summertime is a terrific time for Family Reunions! In Pennsylvania, my Ritter family began gathering in August, 1898. Here is another account of a gathering of this large family. IF you know any of the people who attended, I would like to hear from you.
This newspaper article gives details of the Ritters’ gathering and the history of the family. It tells us Ritter means “knight.” It talks about the original settlers. However, today’s research tells us these were the children of the original Ritters who came from Germany. They are the second generation to live in Pennsylvania. My notes [ ] reflect recent research.
Ritters Gather in Reunion at Dorney’s
Members Urged to Revive Monster Reunions
The Ritter family reunion was held at Dorney Park yesterday after a lapse of a year. This was one of the early reunions having been started in 1898. There were quite a number of Ritters there and president, I. J. Ritter urged all to again swell the number from 200 to over 5,000 which was the high water mark. Instrumental music was furnished by George’s orchestra and a male quartet sang. The hymn “God We Bless Thee, That We Meet Again” was sung after which Rev. H. B. Ritter, of Hellertown, offered prayer.
The president then made the address of welcome and said he was especially pleased to see the young people take an interest in the program and reunion. The male quartet sang “Annie Laurie” and responded to the encore.
Miss Edith Yates a young girl, gave a delightful recital on “House Cleaning Time”. After a selection by the orchestra Rev. H. B. Ritter made an address. He spoke of the origin of the word Ritter, meaning a knight. The name is supposed to have originated when the Knights made their pilgrimages to the holy land. One of their principles was to defend womankind. He pleaded that this principle be maintained now even if it meant woman’s sufferage [sic] and he condemned Mormonism as a blot on this fair country.
The male quartet then sang several fine selections and Miss Ada Sheirer very ably gave several recitations showing that she is quite an elocutionist.
The election of officers resulted as follows:
President, I. R. Ritter, Allentown;
Vice president, John E. Ritter, Pittston;
Recording secretary, P. S. Ritter, Allentown; [possibly Parson Scott Ritter, 1862 – 1932]
Corresponding secretary, Irwin Ritter, Balliesville;
Financial secretary, Samuel O. Ritter, Allentown;
Treasurer, Mrs. Edwin Diefenderfer, Catasauqua;
Historians: F. O. Ritter, B. F. Mohr, H. W. Stephens, Allentown, Wilson Ritter, Catasauqua; John E. Ritter, Pittston.
Executive committee:
Edwin H. Ritter, Egypt, Wilson Ritter, Catasauqua, Dr. E. E. Ritter, Friedensville, Mahlon Ritter, South Bethlehem; A. P. Yohe, Macungie.
C. H. Siegfried, of Easton, told how the Glewell family which holds its reunion at Shoeneck had complete records of nearly 2000 families and urged system.
The Ritters are descendants of Casper, who settled in North Whitehall, Martin in Salisbury and Philip in Shoenersville.
Casper Ritter landed at Philadelphia in 1750. He went to Easton and was granted a patent for 500 acres of land located on Fels creek at Laury’s. The farms are owned by Reuben Saeger, Prof. D. S. Keck and John and Jeremy Schneck. The log house which housed the family was razed several years ago. Six children grew to maturity:
Jacob, [Johan Jacob Ritter, b 1777]
Mrs. Johanes Frantz,
John, [Johannes Ritter, 1768 – 1814]
Heinrich, [John Henry Ritter, 1780 – 1854]
Mrs. Nicholas Saeger [Magdalena Ritter, b 1772]
and Mrs. Heinrich Frantz. [Margaretta Ritter, 1774 – 1854]
[These are the children of Casper, 1749 – 1822, son of Heinrich Ritter, 1715 – 1797. He was the nephew of the Casper Ritter who arrived in Philadelphia from Germany.] The lonely graves of the pioneers are a short distance from the early home. Many of the descendants in this section are descendants of Casper.
Martin Ritter came to this country in 1749 and secured a tract of land in Salisbury township, south of Allentown. He was the father of seven children.
Martin, [1781 – 1863]
Henry, [1779 – 1833]
John, [Johannes Ritter, 1784 – 1867]
Daniel, [1789 – 1873]
Michael, [1794 – after 1884]
Jacob [1792 – 1830]
and Gretchen Mrs. Solomon Kline.
[This Martin, 1749 – 1827, was the son of Heinrich Ritter, 1781 – 1863. He was the nephew of Martin Ritter, 1718 – 1789, who was one of the original four Ritter brothers from Germany.]
Frances Ritter was the father of the Ritter family in Berks county. The former proprietor of the Reading Eagle; John Ritter was a representative in Congress for two terms.
The committee will meet in April to arrange for next year’s reunion.
The Morning Call, Allentown, PA
15 August 1912, page 5
Newspapers.com
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