Harley S. Rittenhouse, the genial and capable
editor of the Monona Leader, a stirring and
up-to-date Republican newspaper of Clayton county, is
a native of the Badger State, having been born in
Eastman, Wisconsin, May 24, 1874. His father, Harvey
B. Rittenhouse is a native of Indiana, but in 1850 he
removed to Crawford county, Wisconsin, and is still
living at the advanced age of seventy-nine years. His
mother, Regina (Kelly) Rittenhouse, who died May 9,
1908, was born in Illinois. The father was a painter
by trade, but at the outbreak of the Civil war
enlisted for the service of his country in Company C,
Sixth Wisconsin Infantry, and served for a year and a
half. Their home was blest with a family of eleven
children, who, in the order of their birth, are:
Lilly, wife of J. W. Kimball, of Prairie du Chien,
Wis.; Warren, who died in infancy; Clara, wife of
William Huston of Minnesota; Minnie, wife of Henry
Baab, of the same state; Rufus, deceased; Harley,
with whom this sketch is concerned; Robert, who died
at the age of 7 years; Delia, wife of Fred Wicks, of
Minnesota; John E., whose home is in North Dakota;
Maud, of Saskatchewan, Canada; Grace, the wife of Roy
Sutton, who are also residents of Saskatchewan.
Harley Rittenhouse is essentially a self-made man
of the highest type. He attended the common schools
until he reached the age of thirteen years, but at
that time started out in a newspaper career, which is
a liberal and thorough education in itself. Entering
a printing office at Prairie du Chien, Wis., he
remained for two years, seriously applying himself to
learning his chosen trade. Always seeking
advancement, he was later employed at Winona, Minn.,
and in McGregor, Iowa. On September 19, 1895, he came
to Monona and began work on the Monona Leader,
under the kind tutelage of Colonel George H. Otis.
For thirteen years he continued his service under
this generous and helpful employer, with never a
single misunderstanding to mar the pleasantness of
the closest business and social relations. In 1905 he
bought a half interest in the Leader, and in
1908 assumed the full responsibility of the
publication by buying the remaining interests. He has
merited and retained the staunch support of a kindly
public by intelligent and efficient service in the
publication of that potent force in community
life—a weekly newspaper.
Mr. Rittenhouse has always taken the most active
interest in civic matters and is now serving as town
clerk, in which capacity he has assisted in the
administration of the affairs of his community for
eight years and is now, in 1916, president of the
school board. He is a consistent advocate of
Republican principles in politics.
In 1908 Mr. Rittenhouse was united in marriage to
Verna E. Parks of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and to them
have been born four children: Parks W., Kelly S.,
Jane E., and Grace E. Mr. Rittenhouse is a member of
Clayton Lodge No. 70, A. F. and A. M., and Monona
Chapter No. 256, O. E. S.
