OBITUARY - William S. Rittenhouse

Rushville Times, July 7, 1937

Wm. Rittenhouse, Schuyler Pioneer, Died on Sunday

William Rittenhouse, a resident of Schuyler county during his entire lifetime of fourscore years, died Sunday at the home of his son, Otis, near Rushville. His death was the result of a hip fracture sustained in a fall six months ago. Funeral services were held Tuesday afternoon at 2 o'clock at the Fairfield Free Methodist church, south of Rushville. Rev. Cecil Covey, pastor of the Antioch church, conducted the services. Interment was in the Ebenzer cemetery.

The following obituary was read at the service: William Rittenhouse was born in Schuyler county, Illinois, Feb. 11, 1857, and fell asleep in Jesus on Sunday, July 4, 1937. His last day on earth was like his life, a beautiful day, with a few dark clouds at the end, and his life went out as the sun sank behind the few drifting clouds in the evening tide.

He was the son of William and Nancy Kelly Rittenhouse, pioneer residents of Bainbridge township, and was born on the homestead farm which was purchased by his father at an early date. There, together with a large family of brothers and sisters, he spent his happy boyhood days and received his education in the district school.

He was married to Rachel Stoneking on Feb. 10, 1876, and for fifty years they were permitted to travel life's pathway together. Their life was one of happiness and pleasure, not a death or much sorrow came to them until September 1916 when the good wife was stricken with paralysis and for almost ten years was invalid and constant sufferer as he gave her every care that was possible. Her passing on July 8, 1926, caused a great sorrow which he never was able to overcome.

He spent his entire life near the home of his birth, except a few years spent in Norton county, Kansas. He was converted at an early age and received the experience of holiness more than fifty years ago. He helped to build the little Free Methodist church at Fairfield, and is the last one of the charter members.

His home was a home of prayer and his children were raised in a truly Christian atmosphere. He was most happy when he was in the service of his Master and his greatest delight was to entertain the ministers and their wives. He was superintendent of the Fairfield Sunday school for many years, until his wife's health failed and he was denied the privilege of attending church. He was a great temperance man, and his politics were prohibition. After his wife's death he went to make his home with his children and a sister, Nancy Burnside, where he was tenderly cared for by Leo and Adra Vancil.

On January 7 of this year he fell and broke his hip and was taken to the Culbertson hospital where he received the best of medical care.

After it became apparent that he might never walk he was taken to the home of his son, Otis, where he was given every care and devotion that a son and daughter-in-law could possibly give, and there in their happy little home among the trees and flowers, of which he loved so much, he spent his last days.

He leaves to mourn his passing his five children, namely: Otis Rittenhouse, Mrs. S. B. Orr, Mrs. Frank Illman, Mrs. Hugh Logsdon, and Robert Rittenhouse, all of Rushville, Illinois. Also eighteen grandchildren and thirteen great-grandchildren , and one sister, Mrs. Nancy Burnside, two brothers, Marion of Browning, Illinois, and Hiram of Brown county, besides a host of relatives and friends.

Note: His five children are: Otis Tilden Rittenhouse married to Alma May Hodgson; Nancy Leonora Rittenhouse married to Sylvanus B. Orr; Sarah Jane Rittenhouse married to Frank Phillip Illman; Mary Magdeline Rittenhouse married to Hugh Henry Logsdon; Robert Sanderson Rittenhouse married to Tressa Isabella Bartlow. His sister, Nancy Jane Rittenhouse married Thomas Burnside.

Father: William S. Rittenhouse b: 8 JAN 1818 in Boone Co., Kentucky Mother: Nancy C. Kelly b: 9 NOV 1822 in Rising Sun, Switzerland Co., Indiana

Married: Rachel Ann Stoneking b: 9 MAY 1858 in Schuyler Co., Illinois Married: 10 FEB 1876 in Schuyler Co., Illinois

Children

1. Otis Tilden Rittenhouse b: 10 NOV 1876 in Illinois
2. Nancy Lenora Rittenhouse b: 3 MAY 1880 in Norton Co., Kansas
3. Sarah Jane Rittenhouse b: 7 NOV 1885 in Bainbridge, Schuyler Co., Illinois
4. Mary Magdalene Rittenhouse b: 25 JUN 1888 in Rushville, Schuyler Co., Illinois
5. Robert Sanderson Rittenhouse b: 28 JUL 1894 in Bainbridge Twp., Schuyler Co., Illinois