James Madison Ritchey

JAMES MADISON RITCHEY, president of the Bank of Neosho, was born August 8, 1836, at Ritchey, and was educated in the common schools, and at White Oak Academy, in Lawrence County, Missouri.  He is the oldest native-born citizen of Newton County, now living.  Early in the Civil War he entered the secret service of the Union Army, serving therein until September 1862.  Later he enlisted in Company I, of the Seventy-sixth Cavalry Regiment of Enrolled Missouri Militia, which was mustered into service September [December] 17, 1862, he is became the company's captain.  In April of 1863, upon the consolidation of the State troops he became quartermaster.  September 19, 1863, he was mustered in as captain of Company K, of the Seventh Provisional Missouri Cavalry, which consisted principally of members of his old command.  In August of 1864 this company was transferred to the United States service, and mustered in as Company K, of the Fifteenth Missouri Volunteer Cavalry.  He commanded this company until mustered out at Springfield, Missouri, in July 1865.  From October 1863, to August 1864, he was in command of the post at Newtonia, and afterward was placed on detached duty at Springfield.  For many years Captain Ritchey was interested in the milling and mercantile business at Ritchey and Newtonia.  Since 1896 he has resided in Neosho.  His political affiliations are with the Prohibition party, and in 1896 he was the candidate of that party for Lieutenant Governor of Missouri.  He is past eminent commander of Neosho Commandery No. 57, of Knights Templar, and was a charter member of the first lodge of Odd Fellows at Newtonia, and also of the first lodge of the same order at Ritchey.  March 11, 1856, he married Caledonia D. Logan, of Lincoln County, Tennessee, who died in Springfield, Missouri, May 15, 1865.  Their children were Henry M., Melton Horace and Matthew Alonzo Ritchey, the last named of whom is dead.  November 15, 1866, he married Mattie L Wills, of Neosho.  The children born of this marriage were Mamie Lee Ritchey, now Mrs. F. L, Morrow, and Jessie Mabel Ritchey.

— Biographical Appendix, Goodspeed's History of Newton County, Missouri (1888),
pages 399-400.  Located by Adam Seaman.

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