Washington Rittenhouse

Obituary of Washington Rittenhouse Rushville Times, August 18, 1926

 Washington Rittenhouse, a pioneer resident of Schuyler County, passed away at his home near Rushville, Il., August 15, 1926, after a brief illness being at the time of his death 80 years, 10 months and 20 days of age.

 He was a son of William and Nancy Rittenhouse and was born near Rising Sun, Indiana, October 13, 1845.  When a small child he moved with his parents to Schuyler County, where he grew to manhood and spent the remainder of his life. He was of a family to twelve children, seven of which are still living.

 On March 31, 1864, he was united in marriage to Lavina Day, and to this union were born fourteen children, two dying in infancy; one daughter, Adeline Briggs, died February 7, 1913 and the wife and mother passing away December 9, 1915. Eleven children, five sons and six daughters , are left to mourn the loss of a kind and affectionate father, viz; Grove of Tampa, Texas, Will and Henry of Superior, Arizona, Lottie Severns of Peoria, Il., Chalmer and Russell, Nora Jacobs, Nancy Davis, Belle Thompson, Maude Valentine and Grace Lawler, all of near Rushville, Ill.

 He was a devoted father and his happiest hours were when his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren gathered at the parental home to spend the day with "father" and they will miss his cheery smile and tender greetings. He took keen pleasure in the compainship of his little granddaughter, Virgie Lawler, who resided in the home with him. He was of a cheerful dispostion and a loyal neighbor, always ready to lend a helping hand where needed. He will be greatly missed in the community where he resided. Besides the eleven children, he leaves to mourn, forty-one grandchildren, four brothers, and three sisters, besides a host of other relatives and friends.

 Funeral services, conducted by Rev. C. S. Mundell, wee held from the Sugar Grove Church, Tuesday afternoon at 2 o'clock. Interment in the Persinger Cemetery.

Family links:

Parents:

• William S Rittenhouse (1818 - 1879)
• Nancy Kelly Rittenhouse (1822 - 1900)

Spouse:

 * Lavina Day Rittenhouse (1848 - 1915)*

Children:

* Frank Chalmer Rittenhouse (1869 - 1928)*

• Joseph William Rittenhouse (1882 - 1961)*
• Ada Maude Rittenhouse Valentine (1886 - 1947)*
• Grace W Rittenhouse Hankins (1888 - 1970)*
• Henry Washington Rittenhouse (1891 - 1946)*

Siblings:

*  Henry Rittenhouse (1840 - 1931)*

* Enoch Rittenhouse (1842 - 1914)*

• Washington Rittenhouse (1845 - 1926)
• Thomas Rittenhouse (1855 - 1896)*
• William S Rittenhouse (1857 - 1937)*
• Delila Rittenhouse (1859 - 1864)*
• Hiram Rittenhouse (1863 - 1939)*

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OBIT: Washington Rittenhouse, a pioneer resident of Schuyler County, passed away at his home near Rushville, Il., August 15, 1926, after a brief illness being at the time of his death 80 years, 10 months and 20 days of age. He was a son of William and Nancy Rittenhouse and was born near Rising Sun, Indiana, October 13, 1845. When a small child he moved with his parents to Schuyler County, where he grew to manhood and spent the remainder of his life. He was of a family to twelve children, seven of which are still living. On March 31, 1864, he was united in marriage to Lavina Day, and to this union were born fourteen children, two dying in infancy; one daughter, Adeline Briggs, died February 7, 1913 and the wife and mother passing away December 9, 1915. Eleven children, five sons and six daughters , are left to mourn the loss of a kind and affectionate father, viz; Grove of Tampa, Texas, Will and Henry of Superior, Arizona, Lottie Severns of Peoria, Il., Chalmer and Russell, Nora Jacobs, Nancy Davis, Belle Thompson, Maude Valentine and Grace Lawler, all of near Rushville, Ill. He was a devoted father and his happiest hours were when his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren gathered at the parental home to spend the day with "father" and they will miss his cheery smile and tender greetings. He took keen pleasure in the compainship of his little granddaughter, Virgie Lawler, who resided in the home with him. He was of a cheerful dispostion and a loyal neighbor, always ready to lend a helping hand where needed. He will be greatly missed in the community where he resided. Besides the eleven children, he leaves to mourn, forty-one grandchildren, four brothers, and three sisters, besides a host of other relatives and friends. Funeral services, conducted by Rev. C. S. Mundell, wee held from the Sugar Grove Church, Tuesday afternoon at 2 o'clock. Interment in the Persinger Cemetery.SOURCE: Rushville Times [Schuyler Co., Rushville, IL], August 18, 1926.

• Reference: Find A Grave Memorial - SmartCopy: Aug 28 2018, 2:07:18 UTC