The following is from the initial paragraphs of a biographical sketch of their son Jacob in a book called "Pictorial and Biographical Memoirs of Elkhart and St.  Joseph Counties", (1907), pgs. 187, 198:

”Jacob Ritter, of South Bend, Indiana and one of the pioneers of St. Joseph Co., is a Montgomery Co., Ohioan, born about three miles west of Dayton, on the 1st of January, 1806, a son of John and Barbara (Garber) Ritter.”

(Here the sketch contains several paragraphs about Jacob’s parents, which I have entered into their Notes. It then continues:)

“Jacob Ritter, whose name is at the head of this sketch, was about twelve yrs. of age when his parents settled in Wayne Co., (IN), and there in his native county he succeeded in obtaining a practical education in the common schools, which were held in the old-time log cabin. He was reared on a farm, and has always devoted his attention to that occupation.

In Wayne Co. he united his fortunes with those of Elizabeth Miller, Oct. 26, 1826, her birth having occurred in Montgomery Co., OH, June 5, 1809. She being a daughter of David and Sarah (HARDMAN) Miller, who also became pioneers of St. Joseph Co., IN. In the spring of 1830 Mr. Ritter came to this county also, and found himself in Portage Prairie on April 5 of that year, and located on a farm of eighty acres in Sec. 32, which he had previously selected in the fall of 1829, at which time he also became the owner of eighty acres of timber land. A number of other families came at the same time and that year they all raised quite good crops of corn. Several of these settlers combined work and in 1830 seeded about 200 acres to corn, which Mr. Ritter says became the finest crop of sod corn he has ever seen produced in any county. That year they also raised some magnificent melons and turnips, but he refuses to disclose their exact size and weight for fear people of the present day would be inclined to doubt his veracity.

He erected a log cabin on his property in German Twp., Sec. 29, in the fall of 1831, where he lived for many years, and which he still owns. In 1866 he retired from active labor and purchased property in South Bend, where is now residing. He also owns 342 acres of land, and is nicely situated to enjoy life.

He and his worthy wife became the parents of fourteen children: Lucinda (deceased), Barbara, Sarah A. (deceased), Amanda E., Martha E., Aaron M., William H. H., David M., John N., Benjamin F., Theodore (deceased), Lorinda and Clarinda (twins) and Elizabeth M. Of these children, Amanda E., Martha E., William H. H. and Elizabeth M. are residents of this county; Barbara, now wife of Joseph Hardman, is living at Prairie City, Grant Co., OR; Aaron M. and David M. are farmers near Springfield, MO; John N. is engaged in the practice of law and in banking at Columbus, KS; Benjamin F., a farmer and dealer in agricultural implements, resides in Castleton, Cass Co., ND. Lorinda, wife of Q. A. Bulla, lives near St. Edward, Boone Co., NV and Clarinda, who married J. F. Buchtel, is living in Kansas City, MO. Two sons, William H. H. and David, served three years during the war in the 23rd IN Battery, under command of Capt. Andrews.

Mrs. Ritter died Feb. 20, 1867, and in 1872 Mr. Ritter took for his second wife Ellen Lentz, born Feb. 26, 1831, in PA, daughter of Christopher and Hannah (Davis) Lentz, who were of Scot. descent. Christopher Lentz was a soldier in the War of 1812 and for many years was a resident of German Twp., where he lived until his death, which occurred Aug. 14, 1838. His widow survived him until Oct. 27, 1869. Mr. Ritter is a member of the I.O.O.F., having joined that order about the year 1850. He has always been a great reader, and possesses a well-stored mind. He rather favors the Universalist doctrine in his religious views, and in politics has always been an ardent Democrat. His record as an honorable man of affairs has remained untarnished, and as a citizen he has always been public spirited and law abiding.”