Transcription contributed by Martie Callihan 8 January 2005

Page
773

WILLIAM RITCHEY, deceased, was the youngest of a family of three girls and five boys, children of Robert and Rachael (Fraley) Ritchey; he was born Jan. 29, 1819, and died Sept. 7, 1877. On May 19, 1846, he was married to Miss Rebecca P. Bretney, daughter of Tobias and Nancy (Butler) Bretney; she was a native of Ohio, born Feb. 18, 1814. Mr. Ritchey was engaged in the tannery and leather business until 1845, when he retired from business; in 1848, he engaged extensively in the culture of rare and valuable plants and flowers for his own gratification; for many years he owned the stock and controlled the business of the Lebanon & Dayton Turnpike Company. He was a true philanthropist, whose loss was deeply deplored by the whole community; he was kind, affable and liberal, contributing freely to both church and State. He had a beautiful flower garden at his residence on Main street, filled with the choicest flowers of every clime, which he dispensed gratis to all lovers of the beautiful. His widow still occupies his comfortable home in the suburbs.