The Albert Ritz Family

I am Lois Ritz Walz, daughter of Albert and Emma Youngker Ritz. My father's family, John and Johannah Ritz and their six children, John, Catherine, George, Elizabeth, Charles, and Mathilda, came from Tiffin to the Black Swamp land on the Maderia Road just north of the Ridge in or about 1866. Three more children, Frank, Amelia, and Albert, were born to them in Marion Township.

My grandfather was a cabinet maker, but in Marion Township he turned to farming. Grandmother had a large herb garden and knew the uses of all in home treatment of the many illnesses people suffered. People came from many miles for her herbs and advice of their uses. She was also a midwife and many families were the better for her services. She was midwife for my mother's mother for most of her children, including my mother.

Ripke Homestead, Section 25, Ridgeville Twp.

Doctors in those days knew nothing of allergies, so in her last illness, the medication given was poison to her.

Grandfather Ritz had suffered from asthma so the undrained wet land, mosquitoes, etc. eventually led to his death.

When my father had finished the grades taught at that time, he went to Tri-State in Angola, Ind. The next year he went to Defiance College. He then taught several years in Bartlow and Marion Townships.

In Tri-State, one of his classmates was Tom Marshall, who became vice- president of the United States under Woodrow Wilson. At Defiance College, a classmate, T. T. Ansberry became a U.S. Representative.

After marriage in January of 1902 to Emma Youngker, he turned to farming. He was township clerk, and clerk of the school board for many years.

In 1921, he and many farmers and businessmen of Hamler reorganized the Hamler Bank. With D. A. Collins as president, Orville Todd as cashier, and my father as assistant cashier, they opened the doors of the Hamler State Bank to serve the community in 1922. My father continued to serve the bank as assistant cashier and the cashier until his death in 1932.

My mother and father had a deep love and respect for the Hamler community and all connected with it in any way.

I left Hamler to come to Defiance to work in 1923, and was married to Leo Walz, now deceased. My daughter, Rosemarie, married Robert Reinhart, and they reside in Paulding with a son and daughter, Chris and Kathy.

Hamler, Marion Township, and Henry County are still "home" to me.

Submitted by Mrs. Lois E. Walz