Henry Rittenhouse, a farmer, living near Cave in Rock, Hardin County, Ill., is one of the best known men in his locality. He was born in Switzerland County, Ind., Oct. 14, 1840. When he was about four years old his parents removed to Schuyler County, Ill., where he grew to manhood and receive his education in the public schools. On Oct. 7, 1861, just a week before he reached his majority, he enlisted as a private in Company G, Twenty-eight Illinois volunteer infantry, and was mustered in at Rushville. The regiment was ordered to Kentucky and while there employed in the construction of some earth works Mr. Rittenhouse was seriously ruptured. For some time he remained in the hospital and on Dec. 17, 1861, was discharged from the service on account of his disability.
On Sept. 17, 1863, he was married to Miss Charlotte Persinger, who was born and reared in Schuyler County, her parents being Allen and Paulina (Peters) Persinger. About two months after his marriage Mr. Rittenhouse came with his wife to Hardin County, where he rented land until 1875, when he bought forty acres, about half of which was cleared, and lived on that place for five years. He then removed to the place where he now lives. The farm is known as the "Jackson Farm," contains 188 acres, and is one of the best in the neighborhood. Mr. Rittenhouse carries on a general farming business and devotes considerable attention to stockraising. He is one of the leading Republicans in his part of the County, and was elected on that ticket to the office of County commissioner for a term of three years. The only fraternal organization to claim him as a member is the Grand Army of the Republic, in which he belongs to the post at Cave in Rock.
The children born to Mr. and Mrs. Rittenhouse are Rosa, Laura, Peyton, William A., Hattie and Pennington. Rosa died at the age of six months; Laura and Peyton were twins; Peyton died and Laura is the wife of Joseph Riggs living near; William is an attorney and abstractor of titles in Chicago; he was educated at the Northern Indiana normal, at Valparaiso, read law with Col. Dick Taylor, and practiced for a while at Shawneetown. In Chicago he was associated with Mr. Deneen, who was elected governor of Illinois in 1904. Hattie and Pennington were twins. The latter died and the former is now the County superintendent of the Hardin cotlnty schools. She was educated at the normal school at Carbondale and began teaching at the age of seventeen. Mrs. Rittenhouse is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. The daughter is a Baptist.
History of Hardin County, Illinois
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