Frank Rittmann’s Funeral Card

Frank Rittman died on March 19, 1901, at the age of 72 years, 9 months, and 22 days. Under the phrase “Gone but not forgotten” appears the following verse:

Tis hard to break the tender cord,

            When love has bound the heart.

Tis hard, so hard, to speak the words:

            “We must forever part.”

Dearest loved one we must lay thee

            In the peaceful grave’s embrace,

But thy memory will be cherished

            Til we see thy heavenly face.

Frank Rittman (sometimes spelled Rittmann) was born in Germany about 1828. He came to Ohio before 1850, and settled in the Cincinnati area. According to records found on the Family Search website, Frank Rittmann married Catherine Kiebler in Hamilton County on July 11, 1856. By the late 1860’s, Mr. and Mrs. Frank Rittmann had moved to Sandusky, Ohio, where they lived in a house at the northeast corner of Columbus Avenue and Scott Street.  U.S. Census records list their seven children as: Frank, Louisa, Charles, Christian, George, William and Kate.  During the Civil War, Frank Rittman served in Company D of the 128^th Ohio Volunteer Infantry. This unit was assigned to guard Confederate Prisoners at the Johnson’s Island Prison.

Frank Rittman died at his home on Columbus Avenue. Funeral services were held at the residence on March 19, 1901 at 2:45 p.m. Burial was at Oakland Cemetery, under the auspices of Ogontz Lodge, No. 66 of the Independent Order of the Odd Fellows. The Rittman Family lot is in Block 59 of Oakland Cemetery.

Pictured below is the Rittman home at Columbus Avenue and Scott Street about 1870.

Dr. Walter Frank Rittman, the grandson of Frank, and son of Mr. and Mrs. Christian Rittman, became a well known chemical engineer.