William G. Ritch

William Gillett Ritch (May 4, 1830 – September 14, 1904) was an

Ritch was born on May 4, 1830, in Ulster County, New York.^[1] He became interested in politics and served as county clerk of Ulster County, and clerk of the board of supervisors.^[1]

In 1855, he went west, settling first at Hudson, Michigan, and later at Oshkosh, Wisconsin. In Oshkosh, he served as clerk of the Wisconsin circuit court for Winnebago County from 1861 through 1865.^[2]

Civil War service

In early 1865, he volunteered for service in the American Civil War and was enrolled as first lieutenant and adjutant of the 46th Wisconsin Infantry Regiment, under Colonel Frederick S. Lovell.^[3]: 862 The 46th Wisconsin Infantry was organized at Camp Randall and mustered into service March 1865.^[3]: 862 They were assigned to guard railroad and supply lines along the Nashville and Decatur Railroad, and didn't engage in serious fighting.^[3]: 863 With the war ended, they were mustered out at Nashville, Tennessee, on September 27, 1865, and returned to Wisconsin.^[3]: 863

Wisconsin politics and publishing

Back in Wisconsin, Ritch became active as a supporter of

In 1869, at the urging of Congressman Sawyer, Ritch relocated from Oshkosh to Neenah, Wisconsin, and purchased the Neenah Times newspaper. Sawyer and Ritch used the newspaper to advocate for the unpopular opinion of establishing a new state hospital for the insane on land near Oshkosh.^[6] The hospital, now known as Winnebago Mental Health Institute, began construction in 1871.

New Mexico

In 1873, Sawyer obtained another federal appointment for Ritch, when President Grant appointed him Secretary of the New Mexico Territory.^[6] Ritch ultimately served thirteen years as Secretary of the Territory, and served several weeks as acting governor in 1875 following the death of Marsh Giddings. While acting governor, he encountered some controversy over his initial refusal to pay off the bounty hunter who shot down Billy the Kid, a decision that was eventually reversed.^[7] As Secretary, he contributed to the design of what would later become the Seal of New Mexico, and was an advocate for establishing a non-sectarian education system in the territory.^[6] He was also the first president of the New Mexico Historical Society, president of the territory's Bureau of Immigration, and the Educational Association of New Mexico.^[1]

After retiring from public office, he continued to reside at Engle, New Mexico, and became a cattle ranch operator.^[6]

Personal life and family

Ritch and his wife, Olive, had at least three children.

Ritch died at his home in Engle on September 14, 1904. Then-governor Miguel Antonio Otero issued a proclamation honoring Ritch, ordering flags to be flown at half-staff, and announcing that Ritch would lie in state at the territorial capital.^[8] He was buried with military honors at Santa Fe National Cemetery, in a ceremony organized by his comrades in the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He was a prominent member of the Odd Fellows in New Mexico, and served a term as Grand Master of the state organization; he was also a member of the Knights Templar.^[1]

References