Fifth Generation

240. Joel RITTER² was born on 15 Dec 1811 in Reading, PA. He died on 18 Jul 1868 in Reading, PA. He was buried in Charles Evans Cemetery, Reading, PA. Joel was educated at the Reading Academy and learned the trade of a printer in his father's office. He became the editor of the Jefferson Democrat and later embarked in the lumber business. He left the lumber business when the great flood of 1850, washed the business away. He was elected prothonotary of Berks County, 1839 to 1842. Under the administration of President Buchanan, he was appointed to a position in the Custom House at Philadelphia. Joel was a member of the First Universalist Church, Reading.

Joel RITTER and Angeline BECHTEL were married on 22 Dec 1833. Angeline BECHTEL^28,74 was born about 1814. She died on 1 Jan 1840 in Reading, PA. She was buried in Charles Evans Cemetery, Reading, PA. Joel RITTER and Angeline BECHTEL had the following children:

474	i.	John Francis RITTER74 was born on 24 Jan 1836 in Reading, PA. He died on 1 Aug 1872 in New York. He was buried in Charles Evans Cemetery, Reading, PA. John obtained his primary education at the Boyertown Academy. He graduated from West Point Military Academy in 1856. He saw action first with the Seminole Indian skirmishes 1856 and 1857. He was involved in Civil War battles at Valverde and Apache Canon. In August 1862 he accepted an appointment to Colonel of the First Regiment Cavalry of Missouri, by the Governor of that state. John was involved in all of the engagements of the regiment west of the Mississippi and led the way in the capture of Little Rock, Ark. He later resigned his position in December 1864 and resumed his position as a Captain in the regular army. He was assigned to the 33rd US Infantry and while station at David's Island, NY, he was taken ill. He went on a leave of absence to the Catskill Mountains to recover; but did not.
475	ii.	Albert RITTER28,74 was born on 26 Feb 1838 in Reading, PA. He died on 28 Mar 1917 in Reading, PA. He was buried in Charles Evans Cemetery, Reading, PA. Albert was educated in Reading public schools and the Clinton Liberal Institute in New York. He is an accomplished musician and an instructor of well known ability. He taught music in Reading for 45 years. He was a past Master of St. John's Lodge 435 of Free and Accepted Masons, former High Priest of Reading Chapter 132 Royal Arch Masons, member of the Knights Templar and past Commander Creigh Council No. 16. He was a member of the Board of Managers of the Masonic Home of Pennsylvania. His bio has no mention of a wife or children.

Joel RITTER and Barbara A. ROLAND were married on 3 Jan 1843. Barbara A. ROLAND²⁸ was born about 1821. She died in Sep 1898 in Reading, PA. She was buried in Charles Evans Cemetery, Reading, PA. Joel and Barbara had four children, two of them lived to adulthood, Harry and Ida. Joel RITTER and Barbara A. ROLAND had the following children:

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Francis R. RITTER28 was born in Jul 1862 in Reading, PA. He died in Sep 1864 in Reading, PA. He was buried in Charles Evans Cemetery, Reading, PA.