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Show Volume XXII Issue XXIV The Ogden Valley news Page 9 February 15, 2015 John Thompson Ritter (1842-1922): Part III Note: Information for this historical account of the life of John Thompson Ritter came from the book “From Swineville to Stringtown: Life in Eden Utah for the family of Hyrum Stallings and Nancy Ritter” that was compiled by Ray Wilmot. For more information about the book, you can contact Mr. Wilmot at <Rpwilmot@hotmail.com> A second granddaughter, Gertie, was Nancy’s first born. The older boys were courting, and the young people would gather at the home of Thomp and Oregon. James would call on Ella Fuller in Eden. George took the road to Huntsville to see Ida Mollerup. Haynes squired many girls, settling on no one special. Claire’s boyfriends flocked around, playing croquet or cycling country roads together. The fledglings were beginning to take flight. Jim and George had leaned toward carpentry, after helping to build barns and sheds for the farm. Being pioneers in the mold of their father, they took a trip to Idaho, looking for a new adventure. After making a decision to settle in Burley, they returned to claim their brides and leave the old home. “Aunt Luisa,” as Grandma was called, often enjoyed coming to Eden to visit. She smiled when she recalled the silent man and timid girl she had seen wed a short time ago. She enjoyed her grandchildren, and often took one or two of the youngsters to Riverdale as a special outing. Grandchildren for Thomp and Oregon came fast and plentiful. The lives of all were touched by the kind and benevolent grandfather, as he loved all who were placed in his big arms. Small and large alike received comfort and confidence from him. Lots of children meant lots of work. Oregon helped as well. Claire was given a wedding the valley long remembered. She moved to Logan, where S. L. Bingham, her husband, was at Utah Agricultural College (now Utah State University). That left the big, rambling house somewhat empty. Only Haynes and the “little girls” remained. However, relatives and grandchildren regularly congregated there. Thomp was a man of his word. “His word was as good as his bond.” He did not believe in living beyond his means. He never charged what he could pay for, and he usually paid cash or gold. He voted a Republican ticket, and urged his progeny to take their place in the world. Aunt Luisa passed away in 1912, having lived a full and useful 80 years. Oregon’s grief was composed, as always. As his ranch prospered and his family began to grow away, Thomp decided to rebuild his house. About 1914, Jim and George came down from Idaho to help with the rebuilding. Some of the furniture was moved into a tent, which served as a dining room. The family moved to the back of the old house, as the new one rose. It was a spacious house with a basement, and Elder James J. Hamula Kicks off Church History Library’s New Lecture Series: Pioneers in Every Land The Church History Library’s 2015 lecture series will be centered on the theme “Pioneers in Every Land.” No longer an organization made up mostly of U.S. members, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has spread from Tahiti to Taiwan. Latter-day Saint men and women are building the kingdom of God all over the world. All are invited to come hear their stories, feel their challenges, and be inspired by their faith. Elder James J. Hamula, of the First Quorum of the Seventy, will be the kick off speaker for the series. His presentation is entitled “‘To Every Nation, Kindred, Tongue, and People:’ Pioneers in Every Land.” The lecture will be held Thursday, February 12, 2015 at 7:00 p.m. in the Assembly Hall on Temple Square. This event is free and open to the public. Elder James J. Hamula is currently Assistant Executive Director of the Church History Department. He recently returned from serving as Area President of the Pacific Area headquartered in Auckland, New Zealand. “There is no place in the Pacific that is beyond the redeeming grace of Jesus Christ,” he said. “There is no place He doesn’t know.” Elder Hamula practiced law before his call to the First Quorum of the Seventy, receiv- ing his Juris Doctorate from Brigham Young University. He and his wife Joyce served together in the Washington D.C. South Mission, where he presided as mission president. He was also called as an Area Seventy presiding over the North America Southwest Area. Elder and Sister Hamula now enjoy being the parents of six children, two of whom are currently serving full-time missions. Their twin boys are serving in Taiwan and Mexico, and their daughter just returned home from Japan. This free lecture is part of the 2015 Pioneers in Every Land Lecture Series sponsored by the Church History Library. Lectures are held the second Thursday of every month at 7:00 p.m. in the Assembly Hall on Temple Square, 50 North West Temple Street. Limited free parking is provided at the Conference Center for those attending this event. Parking may fill quickly and is not guaranteed. As an alternative to parking downtown, please use the UTA transit system. For those who cannot attend, this lecture will be available on history.lds.org, a few weeks after the lecture. All previous lectures from past years are also available on this site. For more information, or to download a brochure listing all this year’s lectures, please visit history.lds. org or call 1-801-240-2272. Saturday Night 5:00 p.m. Sunday Morning 8:00 a.m. 10:30 a.m. Tuesday Night 6:30 p.m. followed by The Rosary and Adoration Tuesday 6:00-6:30 p.m. and 7:15-8:15 p.m. or by appointment. Saint Joseph Catholic Elementary, Middle School, and High School Providing a challenging, college-focused education in the proven tradition of Catholic schools, for the families of the Ogden Valley. We want to teach your children! For information on our program, financial assistance, tours, or application, please call 801-393-6051 or 801-394-1515. hot and cold water. A large bay window faced south. It was big and comfortable, and family gatherings and parties were plentiful. Rumbles of war reached across the Atlantic, and across the country. Thomp, watching his two older boys approach from the barnyard one day in 1916, murmured, “They won’t have to go.” They each limped on a different leg. Haynes had been thrown from a horse, leaving him with a limp. Jim had a dislocated hip. As the war came on, prices soared. Cattle prices were high. Grain and hay were abundant, and found a ready market. By now, Thomp’s chores were reduced to gardening, irrigating, and cleaning up after the milking. Oregon oversaw the churning, cooking, and housekeeping. The twins grew to womanhood and went to Ogden to school. The street car had brought a right-of-way through the Ritter pasture into Huntsville. It ran three fast electric cars a day. On Sundays and holidays, excursions ran eight to ten scenic round trips to Eden and Huntsville. Thomp sat on his front porch and watched the world go by. Hay and grain were shipped from Huntsville and Eden, and resulted in better prices. Coal was delivered to the Eden station. Even a daily newspaper was dropped off at the road crossing by an accommodating motorman. Mail service from Huntsville to Eden had long been established. Young men from the valley left for boot camp, and many were shipped off to France. Bonds for the war were a good investment, but Thomp kept his gold. Every year, he shared the profits from the farm with his children in bright gold coins. The war ended in 1918, and Thomp’s family experienced some calamities. In October, Oregon had a fall that put her to bed. “Heart attack” was the doctor’s diagnosis. Rest and quiet were prescribed. She seemed to rally, but was stricken again on New Year’s Eve. On January 9, 1919, she left Thomp for good. The strong, silent partner of her youth wept as he saw her borne from his home to a resting place that he could see from his front window. Thomp spent his time reading as Haynes took over the active management of the farm, and Maggie took over the running of the house. Mattie had become engaged to Robert E. Fuller, son of a long-time friend and neighbor. When they married, they moved into Thomp’s house, as Haynes became hobbled with a hip disease. In spring, 1922, crops had been planted. Thomp was now 80, but continued to help. After washing the milking equipment, he contracted pneumonia and died May 1, 1922. He had been a pioneer in many endeavors, including cattle management, farming, and ranching. He was progressive in his methods, and readily adopted new equipment and improved techniques. He took good care of the land, his animals, and, most of all, his family and community. From The Past . . . Weber counTy scholasTIc cage chamPs For 1941 - Capable basketball Outfit . . . Huntsville ran away with the 1941 Weber County basketball championship. Under command of Coach Floyd Barnett the Huntsville team finished the league season undefeated. They averaged better than 40 points per game. Front row, left to right: K. Clark, G. McKay, G. Fuller, D. Bronson, R. Peterson, and L. Hislop. back row: Wangsgaard, assistant coach; D. Eggleston, V. Shaw, B. Peterson, L. Clark, J. Wilson, E. Harris, and Floyd Barnett, coach. R. McKay was absent when the photo was taken. |