John Francis Ritter (1831-1910)
 John F. Ritter and wife and son |
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According to Phillip Ritter, who has done extensive research on the Ritter family, Jacob Ritter was John F.'s uncle and was a sergeant in the 128th, while John F. went in as a private and was promoted to corporal."
The following letters, with a transcription below them, come from Mrs. Julia Ritter, whose husband was a great grandson of John F. Ritter:
 1865 letter |
 1960's letter |
- ________ 128 Ind
Salisbury, North Ca
January 8 1865
To Whom it May Concern
Corp John F. Ritter Co 16 128 Ind Infty has been a true and faithful Soldier having the cause of his Government at heart -- Always doing his duty without Growling or grumbling was with his company during the whole of the dreadful Atlanta campaign never shrank from the fire of the Enemy under any circumstances
And a man that will do to trust
John T. Powell
Capt - 128 Ind Com.
Co. 16
[part of a 1960's letter from Robert R. Ritter to Ralph B. Ritter]
About the most valuable and direct information I have is my Grandfather's diary which covers the time that he was in the Union Army. He was John Francis Ritter, he married Susan Miller and the children, Samuel B -- Martha -- John William, my father -- and Charles Francis. From the diary and what I can remember from conversation as a youngster, by Grandfather had two brothers, Jacob and Abraham, and again referring to conversation as I remember it, they at one time lived in Ohio and from there to Lake County, Indiana, near the town of Lowell and Crown Point. This is where Grandfather enlisted in the Union Army Feb. 13, 1864, and was assigned to the 128th Indiana Volunteers.
Documents (and transcriptions below the images) about John Ritter's 1865 furlough from the 128 Ind. Infantry comes from the collection of Mrs. Julia Ritter:
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The bearer hereof, John F. Ritter, a Corporal of Captain John T. Powell, Company of the 128 Regiment of Indiana Vol Infty, aged 32 years, 5 feet 10 inches high, light complexion, gray eyes, light hair, and by profession a farmer, born in the State of Ohio, and enlisted at Lowell in the State of Indiana on the 1st day of February eighteen hundred and 1864 to serve for the period of three years is hereby permitted to go to Lowell, in the county of Lake, State of Indiana, he having received Furlough from the 12th day of May 1865, to the 12th day of June 1865, at which period he will rejoin his Company or Regiment at Greesboro NC or wherever it then may be, OR BE CONSIDERED A DESERTER.
Subsistence has been furnished to said John F. Ritter, to the 13th day of May 1865 and pay to the 31st day of December 1864, both inclusive.
Given under my hand at Greensboro NC this 12th day of May, 1865.
Jasper Packard
Lt. Col.
Charlotte N.C.
June 28, 1865
I hereby certify that the within named Corpl Jno F Ritter reported for duty on the 15 day of June 1865.
Satisfactory evidence has been furnished, why he did not return at the expiration of Furlough, and is not considered a deserter.
The Lowell Star, Aug. 17, 1872, page 5, column 3, had a list of soldiers who were supporters of Grant in that election. Among them was John Ritter of the 128th Ind.
The following pension information was also in the colelction of Mrs. Julia Ritter:
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Pension certificate # 557,765 payable quarterly by the U.S. Pension agent at Topeka, Kansas
Document from the U.S. Dept. of the Interior, Bureau of Pensions:
It is hereby confirmed that in conformity with the laws of the United States John F. Ritter who was a Private and Corporal ___ ___, 128 Regiment Indiana Volunteer Infantry is entitled to a pension at the rate of twenty dollars per month to commence on the thirteenth day of March one thousand nine hundred and seven.
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