Obit: Ritchy, Betsy #2 (1815 - 1883)

Contact: Crystal Wendt
Email: crystal@wiclarkcountyhistory.org

Surnames: Ritchy, Elliot, Black, Hendren, Sanderson

----Sources: Neillsville Times (Neillsville, Clark County, Wis.) 12 June 1883

Ritchy, Betsey (7 Feb. 1815 - 7 June 1883)

Ritchy - In the town of Weston, Clark County, Wis., Jun 7th, 1883, Mrs. Betsey Ritchy, aged 68 years and 4 months.

Mrs. Ritchy, whose maiden name was Elloit, was born in Robxoroughshire, Scotland. She came to America in 1830 and settled in the State of New York, where she married Mr. Stephen Ritchy. Mr. and Mrs. Ritchy moved to Wisconsin in 1855 and to Clark County in 1865.

Twelve children were born unto them, four of whom are still living: Mrs. Margaret Black, Mrs. Betsey Black, Mrs. Matilda Black and Mr. Wm. Ritchy. Mrs. Matilda Black, of Lake Mills, was with her mother during the last weeks of her long and severe illness, but was not permitted to be present at the time of her death, nor yet at her funeral. An only sister, Mrs. Isabella Clachan, of Lake Mills, arrived about an hour after her departure to a better world.

Mrs. Ritchy was one of the old settlers of Clark County, as well as one of the founders of the Presbyterian church of Neillsville, she made her profession of faith in Christ more than 40 years ago. And during all these years she sought to be faithful to the cause she professed. She leaves the House of God. Her last attendance was on Christmas day, when she was hardly able to rise from her bed. For even then the dreadful cancer in her stomach had begun its fearful work. During all her sickness she had the hopes and comforts of the gospel in rich abundance. Indeed, she exulted in Christ her Savior.

Affectionate daughters and kind neighbors watched and waited with wonderful patience to the very last. In the midst of all this deep affliction, the aged husband has pity and consolation, because of the life that she lived and the death that she died.

The funeral was largely attended from the Presbyterian church of Neillsville, last Saturday. Her pastor, W. T. Hendren was assisted in the service by Rev. J. W. Sanderson, of Milwaukee. The whole family united as sister, son, daughters, grandchildren and all, have the sympathy of the church and of the whole community.

*Note in the original write up the first name was spelled as Bestey.