HARVEY E. RITTER.

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         Industry, perseverance and close application have been the salient characteristics in the life record of Harvey E. Ritter, bringing him to the prominent place which he now occupies in the business circles of Grand View township. Born in Louisa county on the 25th of October, 1880, he is a son of Louis B. and Catherine (Wagner) Ritter, natives of Virginia and Louisa county respectively, their marriage taking place in this county. Following his marriage the father engaged in agricultural pursuits until his death, on the 25th of April, 1904. Later the mother was again married, her second union being with C. Utter, a native of New York, now living retired in Letts. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Louis B. Ritter were born three sons, all of whom are associated in business, namely: John, residing in . . .

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. . . Letts, who married Louise Liebbie, a native of Muscatine county, by whom he has one child, Evert, two years of age; Harvey E., of this review; and Walter, who is unmarried and resides in Letts.

         At the usual age Harvey E. Ritter was sent to the district schools, and after thoroughly mastering the branches of study therein taught was engaged in work about the home farm for several years. He assisted his father in the cultivation of the fields until the latter’s death, after which he took up agricultural pursuits independently on a farm of his own, which he personally operated for many years and to the supervision of which he yet gives his attention. He now owns and conducts a feed mill in Letts, in connection with his brothers, who are also associated with him in his farming interests. All are men of good business ability and sound judgment, who closely watch every detail of their affairs, and thus their success is logical and well merited. Something of the prosperity which has come to Mr. Ritter is indicated by the fact that he now not only owns a very fine home in Letts but also eight other lots, all well improved, which are a source of gratifying annual revenue.

         It was on the 28th of March, 1906, that Mr. Ritter was united in marriage to Miss Ina M. Wagner, who was born in Louisa county on the 10th of April, 1885, a daughter of Isaac and Elizabeth (Blake) Wagner. The parents were born in Pennsylvania and Iowa respectively, and resided on a farm in Louisa county after their marriage, that remaining their home until their death, the father passing away on the 20th of January, 1911, and the mother January 23, 1903. In their family were four children, but two died in infancy, the surviving brother of Mrs. Ritter being Fred Wagner, a resident of Columbus Junction, Iowa, where he is engaged in the merchandise business.

         The religious faith of Mr. Ritter is indicated by his membership in the Church of God, to which his wife also belongs, and fraternally he is identified with the Court of Honor at Muscatine. He gives sturdy allegiance to the democratic party but has never sought nor accepted office, preferring to concentrate his efforts upon the conduct of his business affairs. He is one of the most enterprising business men in the vicinity, always ready and willing to do what he can for the general improvement of the township, and is held in high respect as a congenial neighbor, a loyal friend and a valued and representative citizen.