David Ritchie (politician)

David Ritchie (August 19, 1812 – January 24, 1867) was an American lawyer, politicain and judge who served as a member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Pennsylvania.

David Ritchie
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from Pennsylvania
In office
March 4, 1853 – March 3, 1859
Preceded byThomas M. Howe
Succeeded byJames K. Moorhead
Constituency21st district
Associate Judge of the Court of Common Pleas of Allegheny County
In office
1862
Personal details
Born(1812-08-19)August 19, 1812
Canonsburg, Pennsylvania
DiedJanuary 24, 1867(1867-01-24) (aged 54)
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Political partyWhig
Opposition Party
Republican
Parent

Early life and career

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Ritchie was in Canonsburg, Pennsylvania on August 19, 1812.[1][2][3] He was the youngest son of Craig Ritchie Sr.[1] He graduated from Jefferson College in Canonsburg in 1829, and subsequently from a university in Heidelberg, Germany. He studied law, was admitted to the bar in 1835 and began his legal practice in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.[2][3]

U.S. House of Representatives

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Ritchie served a member of the United States House of Representatives from 1853 until 1859. At different points, he was a member of the Whig, Opposition and Republican parties.[2][3]

Ritchie was elected as a Whig to the Thirty-third Congress, reelected as an Opposition Party candidate to the Thirty-fourth Congress, and elected as a Republican to the Thirty-fifth Congress. He served as chairman of the United States House Committee on Revolutionary Claims during the Thirty-fourth Congress.[2][3]

County judgeship

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He was appointed associate judge of the court of common pleas of Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, in 1862 and served nine months.[2][3]

Later career

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Following the end of his legislative and judcicial careers, Ritchie resumed the practice of law.[2]

Death

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Ritchie died in Pittsburgh on January 24, 1867.[1][2][3]

References

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  1. ^ a b c "Andrew Wylie, Jr. Family Collection, 1821–1945". archives.iu.edu. Indiana University Bloomington Archives. Retrieved 11 November 2024.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g Ritchie, David" (R000273), in Biographical Directory of the United States Congress. Washington, D.C.: Offices of the Historians of the U.S. House of Representatives and U.S. Senate, retrieved online March 4, 2023.
  3. ^ a b c d e f "Ritchie, David." Ann Arbor, Michigan: The Political Graveyard, May 10, 2022.
U.S. House of Representatives
Preceded by Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from Pennsylvania's 21st congressional district

1853-1859
Succeeded by