As Maria Dawson Ritter reflected on her life during her 89th birthday celebration in 1837, she remarked on the significant changes she had witnessed, particularly in regard to transportation, manufacturing, and education. Maria and her husband were prominent landowners in Martin Township and donated a parcel of land that would become Ritter School. The monument pictured above commemorates Ritter School and the family's donation.
Maria Dawson & John Ritter
Maria Dawson's family was one of the earliest European settlers in McLean County. Maria was born in Old Town Township in January 1837. Her parents were William Henry Dawson and Margaret S. Henry and Margaret were originally from Ohio.
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| Maria Ritter, 89 Years Old Pantagraph, 1/15/1926, p. 8 |
John Ritter was born in Ohio in 1921 and arrived in McLean County in 1854. Prior to 1854, he traveled around Cape Horn to California during the gold rush. Maria was the daughter of William Henry Dawson and was born in 1837 in Old Town Township. Maria and John married in 1854 and had six children. Eventually, the Ritter's farm grew to 640 acres. This was a sizable farm in the 19th century, suggesting that the Ritter family was wealthy.
Ritter School
Ritter School had its origins in the early 1860s. The 1866 atlas shows a school in the southwest corner of section 26. It also shows the land owned by the Ritter family.
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Ritter School Location in 1866
From 1866 Atlas
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By 1874, the school was moved across the street to the southeast corner of section 27. Brigham describes the school on the 1874 atlas as "roughly built." This school was named "No. 4" and was located on the Bierbower lot.
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Ritter School (no. 4) in 1874
From 1874 Atlas
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A new school was built at the same location around 1881. The old schoolhouse was taken to the Ritter farm and used as a stock shed. About a year later, this new school house was moved to the northwest corner of section 34, a mile west of the old school. Ritter donated the land for this school. Hence, 1881 is generally seen as the founding date of Ritter School.
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Ritter School, date unknown
From McLean County Historical Society
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| Ritter School, date unknown Pantagraph, 6/12/1941, p. 6. |
By the 1940's, enrollment had fallen at Ritter School and the district was considering consolidation. In 1948, Ritter School finally consolidated with the Colfax School District. In March 1950, Ritter School, along with many other rural schools in McLean County, was auctioned off. Included in the auction was the school building, land, out buildings, and other property. According to a history of Lawndale, Martin, and Anchor Townships, the school building was moved to another location.
Nothing is left of Ritter School, although a water pump sits a short distance behind the monument. It may or may not have been associated with Ritter School. It is possible that the old school is still being used as a residence or shed on a farm somewhere. The monument is in good condition, but I don't have any information in regard to who placed it there or when.
After 1881, John and Maria continued to manage the farm, travel, and invest in land and other business ventures. They did not always travel together, and by the time of John's death, were likely not living together. By 1890, John was residing in Cheyenne, KS. He died in 1892 and left most of the farm to Maria. His children and other relatives received cash and some land. He was buried in Plymouth Cemetery, which is largely abandoned.
Maria moved to 307 Normal Avenue in Normal, IL and lived for 36 more years, passing in 1928 at the age of 89. It's not clear if she lived at the Normal house until 1928 as the house was put up for auction in June 1920. She is buried in Wiley Cemetery. In September 1928, the farm house and land was auctioned off. In her will, Maria left the 640 acre Illinois farm, 320 acre farm in Mexico, and other assets to her descendants.
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Location of Ritter School today
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Location Information
- Township & Section: Martin, sec. 34
- GIS (click on numbers to view on Google Maps): 40.500349, -88.631948
- Hasbrouck, Jacob L. (1924). History of McLean County. Topeka-Indianapolis: Historical Publishing Company.
- Hatfield, Dorothy. (1941, June 12). Rural School Merger Plan Wins Support in Rural County. Pantagraph, p. 6.
- Hoffman, Muriel Hoffman. (1976). History of Lawndale, Martin, & Anchor Townships and the Villages of Colfax and Anchor, McLean County, Illinois. Fairbury, IL: Cornbelt Press.
- Last Call, John W. Ritter Estate. (1928, September 14). Pantagraph, p. 20.
- Maria Ritter's Will Admitted to Probate. (1928, January 10). Pantagraph, p. 3.
- McLean County Historical Society. (2016, May 25). Ritter School. MCHSFacebook Page.
- Mrs. Maria Ritter Today Celebrates Her 89th Birthday. (1926, January 15). Pantagraph, p. 8.
- Normal Residence Auction Sale to Close the Ritter Estate. (1920, June 11). Pantagraph, p. 15.
- Public Sale of School Properties. (1950, February 24). Pantagraph, p. 8.
- The Will of John Ritter. (1892, April 11). Pantagraph, p. 5.
- Town Talk. (1892, November 4). Pantagraph, p. 5
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