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
received 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-eighth 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. 16, 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 stock-raising.
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;
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 Mrs. 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 county 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. 28th page
