History of Ross County:
Somewhat butchered in information (the origins of the Rittenhousii are different pre-Revolutionary War from what’s said here), but the material after the cut is from a book entitled A Standard History of Ross County, Ohio, dated 1917, and lists out my great-grandfather (Cephus), grandfather (Arthur) and father (Curtis Rittenhouse). (see page 724) At the time this was written, my father was three years old. Totally boring to most all of you, but in here for the record, so to speak. And thanks to Google Books for scanning this sucker; it’s nice to have a PDF of the whole book!
Cephus C. Rittenhouse. Many of the oldest families of Ross County are found in Concord Township. One of these is the Rittenhouse, represented by Cephus C. Rittenhouse, an old and prominent farmer of that section. His name has always had an honorable standing in Ross County, and its bearers have been men of integrity and solid worth, of great patriotism, serving in the various wars of their country, and in many ways have contributed to the substantial benefit of their communities.
The founder of the family in America was Mr. Rittenhouse’s paternal great-grandfather, who came from Germany and settled near Richmond, Virginia, where he spent the rest of his days. The grandfather, Samuel Rittenhouse, was born near Richmond, Virginia, grew up there, and soon after his marriage brought his young bride to Ohio, which was then practically at the beginning of its development. They made the journey across the mountains to their destination on horseback. All their earthly possessions they brought along with them, and on arriving in the wilderness of Ross County they adapted themselves to the primitive necessities of the time. They located near the present site of Musselmaii’s Station in Ross County, and at once began clearing up their land and making a home. A man of industry such as Samuel Rittenhouse was had no special difficulty in providing all of the simple necessities then demanded. People lived in very rude homes, chiefly log cabins, clothing was obtained by spinning and weaving in the house, and what food could not be grown on the land was supplied largely from the wild game which was then so abundant. Deer and wild turkey were an important source of that meat supply. Samuel Rittenhouse lived in Ross County many years and there reared his family, but subsequently moved to Union County and spent his last years there. He was a man of remarkable physical vigor, and his death occurred in his one hundred eleventh year. He had given active service to his country as a soldier in the Mexican war. In his family were five sons and two daughters named Henry, Thomas, William, David, Tilghman, Carrie and Ann.
Tilghman Rittenhouse, father of Cephus C., was born near the present site of Musselman’s Station in Ross County in September, 1828. As a young man he learned the carpenter’s trade, and followed that at various places in Ross and Union counties. Later he became an undertaker. With the exception of four years his entire life was spent in Ross County. His death occurred at the age of eighty-four. Tilghman Rittenhouse married Rebecca Laird. She was born in County Donegal, Ireland, a daughter of Samuel and Catherine (Douglas) Laird, the former a native of County Donegal and the latter of Scotland. Samuel Laird’s father was a Scotch baron and an extensive land holder. During an uprising in Scotland he was unfortunately on the losing side and his estate was confiscated by the crown. Samuel Laird reared six sons and daughters named Moses, Jane, Rebecca, James, Thomas and Catherine. Of these the son Moses emigrated to America when a young man, locating near New Holland in Ohio, and became a successful farmer. A few years later he induced his father, his mother in the meantime having died, to bring the younger children to America. They made the voyage on a sailing vessel, battling with the winds and waves for thirteen weeks. After landing at Philadelphia they came on to Pickaway County, where Samuel Laird made his home with his son Moses. Mrs. Tilghman Rittenhouse died at the age of eighty-seven years. Her six children were named Cephus C., John, William, Thomas, George and Jennie.
Cephus C. Rittenhouse was born at Frankfort, Ross County, November 7, 1853. As a boy he attended public schools both in Ross and in Union County. For two years he worked at the carpenter’s trade, and then took up farming as his regular vocation in life. For a time he worked at monthly wages until” he had saved sufficient to buy a team, and with that equipment he rented some land. From one step to another he has made constant progress, and for the past thirty-two years has occupied one of the good farms in Concord Township and has made a success as a general farmer and stock raiser.
During his twenty-second year Mr. Rittenhouse married Nancy Wornstaff. She was born near the Village of Roxabell in Ross County, a daughter of Richard and Elsie (Carmean) Wornstaff, both natives of Ross County. Her father was a merchant in Ross County when the war broke out and soon afterward left his store to enlist in an Ohio regiment. He died while in service at Acworth, Georgia, and was buried in the South.
Mr. and Mrs. Rittenhouse have reared six children: Myrtle, Arthur, Emma, Faye, Maude and Ely. Myrtle is the wife of Otto Roll. Arthur married Anna Swires, and their two children are Virgil and Curtis. Emma married N. E. Bablet and their three children are Lloyd, Mervin and Marie. Faye is the wife of Charles Milligan, with three children named Pauline, Gladys and Charlotte.
In church affiliation Mr. and Mrs. Rittenhouse are Methodists. He has always been an active democrat. He is now serving his fourth con secutive term as township trustee. He is a charter member of Frankfort Camp No. 4065 of the Modern Woodmen of America, and has been its secretary since it was organized in 1896. He is also a member of Frankfort Lodge No. 309, Free and Accepted Masons.