RITCHIE, Parks - Putnam

The relatives and friends in this city were grieved and shocked to receive word Tuesday evening of the sudden death of Dr. Parks Ritchie in St. Paul Minn on Sunday. Dr. Ritchie was in Franklin and Martinsville for a couple of days a little over a year ago and at that time stated to Mrs. Elizabeth Tarleton and other relatives that he was paying his farewell visit as the condition of his health was such that he did not expect to live much longer.  “He was seated at the dinner table in the Angus Hotel in St. Paul on Sunday with Dr. and Mrs. TW Stumm,” states the St. Paul Pioneer “after the meal and was engaged in pleasant conversation and apparently in better health and spirits than for some time previous when he was suddenly stricken with apoplexy and died before aid could be give him.  Mrs. Ritchie left St. Paul a few weeks ago for Los Angeles where she is taking treatment for catarrh but will return to St. Paul for the funeral the date of which will not be arranged until her arrival. Dr. Harry Ritchie, a prominent surgeon of St Paul is the only child.  Dr. Ritchie was born in Bainbridge, Ind in 1845, his father being one of the best known Presbyterian ministers of his day and generation in this vicinity. His mother was a sister to PM Parks, a pioneer resident of this city and during the pastorate of Rev. James Ritchie in the First Presbyterian Church on the site where the Baptist Church now stands. Mrs Ritchie was a popular teacher in the village school.  The family lived in Franklin for a few years and Dr. Ritchie was a student in the old academy.  He was a private in the 132nd Indiana Volunteers and served one year during the Civil War. He graduated from the Ohio State Medical College in 1870 and took, post graduate work in Columbia and NY universities.  He was married to Miss Emma Bates in 1873 at Petersburg and for a few years they lived in Wellington, Kansas where their son was born. About 1875 they came to Martinsville and their home was next door to that of Rev. and Mrs. James Ritchie on East Washington Street, Dr. Ritchie building the home which is now occupied by JS Wilhite.  Dr. Ritchie moved to St. Paul in the early 80s and from the date of his arrival there success crowned his efforts.  He served as the second dean and was professor of obstetrics at the old St. Paul Medical College when it was merged with the university medical college.  He had at various times been president of the important medical societies of the city and state and of the American Medical College Association.  He was, owing to his brilliant attainments, always in demand at banquets where medical and other professional men were guests. – kbz