Ritter Family History

Joseph Nathaniel Ritter (1845-1893), a veteran of the Civil War, came to the Black Hills in 1875 following the death of his wife Susannah. He eventually settled at Carbonate Camp. In 1889 he was joined by his son Edward Arthur Ritter (1871-1944). Ed met his wife Eve Nancy Ringley (1875-1954), who came from another family of early Black Hills settlers, and they married in 1891. The couple raised ten children. Ed was involved in various business ventures over the years, including a saloon in Carbonate Camp, a stage line, a farm near Vale, a lumber yard in Spearfish, and a hotel at Vale. He also served as a Butte County Commissioner.