ISRAEL J. RITTER, son of Jonas, a resident of Allentown, was born at Ballietsville, March 8, 1851. His early education was obtained in the common schools and his time was spent on the farm until he was nineteen years old, when he accepted a position as clerk in a general store in Carbon County, continuing in this position for one year. The ensuing year he was engaged in the business of house painting, continuing in that for six years, when he again became a clerk in a store at Ballietsville. In 1877 he married Miss Lydia E. Steckel, daughter of Reuben and Amelia (Leisenring) Steckel.

After his marriage he pursued farming and at the same time was employed in the ore mines during the panic. In 1879 he removed to Allentown, where he has since resided at 518 Liberty Street. Since 1890 he fills a position as clerk in the employ of the Hersh Hardware Company, and prior to this time followed painting for some years.

Mr. Ritter and his family are members of Dubbs Memorial Reformed church, where he has served in the capacity of deacon, elder and trustee, and is active in church interests. For nine years he was active as superintendent of the Sunday school of his native town, Sheidys.

Mr. Ritter is the organizer of the Ritter family reunion, which held its first reunion in 1898, at Laury's Island. He has performed valuable services in the preservation of the family genealogy that it may not be forgotten by the descendants.