Jens Ritland (1838-1917)

RITLAND, HEGLAND, LOGAN, WILLIAMS

Posted By: Dorian Myhre (email)
Date: 3/27/2024 at 20:03:23

From Story City Herald January 25, 1917 (page 2)

OBITUARY

Jens Ritland

Jens Ritland was born on estate Retland, Hjelmlands parish, Norway, Sept. 10, 1838, and died Tuesday, January 9, at the age of 78 years and four months. In the year 1855, when sixteen years of age, he came to America in company with his parents and settled at Lisbon, Ill. Two years later his father and mother and his brothers and sisters came to Story county.

In 1862 he volunteered in the Civil war and took part in many important engagements. He had several narrow escapes from death.

One year later he married Inger Hegland and with his bride moved to the farm east of Story City on which he has since lived. Here he and his wife lived fifty-one years.

Last year Mr. and Mrs. Ritland celebrated their golden wedding anniversary surrounded by their children and grandchildren.

Their wedded life was blessed with eight children, of whom seven survive to mourn the loss of a loving father. They are Olaus Ritland, of Radcliffe; Mrs. Knudt Logan of Ada, Minn.; Bernhard Ritland of McCallsburg; Mrs. Jonas K. Ritland of Randall; Mrs. W. Williams of Grafton, N. D.; Osmund Ritland of McCallsburg, and Louis Ritland of Roland.

Mr. Ritland was a member of St. Petri's congregation of Story City, and when this congregation was a few years later divided and Bergen's congregation of Roland organized, he became a member of it.

Mr. Ritland was a devoted member of this congregation and in it he served with honor. He was especially interested in the religious education of the children and was the leader in having parochial school work started.

The funeral was held last Saturday afternoon from Bergen's church, Rev. G. Smedal officiating. Interment took place in the Roland cemetery.