The daily morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven, Conn.) 1894-1907, 1895-09-21
DEATH OF A. III. RIToHIE.

N Noteu EnsraRer ana Fortratt fainter-
Author of IA Large Number OF Engravings
of National Reputation and Great Popu-
larity at the Home of Ills Daugh-
ter, Mrs. Paul @. Skiff, of I his City, Yes
terday FOrenoon-intermenti in Brooklyn.
Mr.. Alexander H. Ritchie of Brook
lyn, N. Y, an artist and engraver of
national fame, died at the home of his
son-in-law, DR.. Paul c. Skiff, in this
city, yesterday forenoon, at 10 O'clock
He died of exhaustion consequent upon
an liberation of the stomach and for
the last two weeks had been able to
retain but very slight amount of nour-
ishment. For the last six months or
more the disease had been sapping his
vital energies. Up to a year ago he
was man of unusual strength of vital
powers and great endurance as a
worker at his profession, and he had
hardly known a days illness since his
childhood previous to being stricken
with the malady which terminated his
long, useful and honorable career He
had been spending a part of the sum-
mer with his wife at the cottage in
Woodbridge of his wifes sister, Mrs.
Frances p. Gilbert of Crown street, this
city, but two or three weeks ago came
to the home of his daughter, Mrs.
Skiff, in order to be where he could
receive frequent and if necessary con-
slant medical treatment. He was a
man of much urbanity, a genial COM
panion and devoted parent and friend.
Of him Appleton's Encyclopaedia of
artists says:
Alexander HI. Ritchie, born in Glas-
gov, Scotland, January H. 1922. He
was portrait and genre painter and an
engraver He studied under Sir will
in Edinburgh, and removed in 1S41
to New York, where he has since lived.
He was elected N. A. in 1871. His
works are: Washington and His Cen
erals, Death of Lincoln, Mercy at the
Wicket Gate, Fitting Out Roses for the
Fair, Baby Who's That? Portrait,
President McCosh and Professors
Charles Hidge and H. M. Alexander
of Princeton college QS819
Several Of the above are famous Am
| erican works of art, and as familiar as
household words in American house.
holds of refinement. Beside the noted
ceased was the author of many more
of equal, If not superior merit, among
them the widely known large and splen-
| did engraving entitled "On the Way to
| the Sea-" this being one of the most
striking, vigorous and impressive his
l7torical pictures illustrative of the great
lrebellion to be found in American
homes. 1t represents Sherman and his
| hosts on his ever famous march to
| the sea- The we'll known large en-
cravings, Martha Washington's First
Reception and Triumph of Patriot
| lism" and many others are lasting me-
MORALS of Mr. Ritchie's genius and
success Mr.. Ritchie's services as an
engraver were in constant and ex-
| traordinary demand by publishers Of
magazines, histories, biographies, etc,
and his steel engravings are almost
numberess. He came to America
| when about sixteen years of age and
embarked in the photographing bust
| ness and drifted into the engraving
line, meeting with instant success,
which continued until his death. He
was also a successful painter and
painted many portraits Of noted Amer
! leans. His most celebrated work Is the
| large oil painting now at his late resi-
| dence in Brooklyn representing 'The
i oe 1,, xxybin ha a6
| for a place of honor in the national
| capitol. A portrait of every person
who was at the deathbed of Lincoln
was specially painted from life by
| Mr.. Ritchie and the painting shows
| the figures at nearly life size. The
placing of this very valuable historic
picture in the national capitol was
strongly urged upon congress, but ow-
| ing to various circumstances action
| upon the matter by congress was post
poned and Mr.. Ritchie being engrossed
| in unceasing professional demands
| upon his time, let the matter drop and
made no further efforts in the matter.
| The deceased made and lost several
| fortunes, yet at his death was possess
| ed of comfortable estate, the returns
| from his professional labors being very
/ lucrative. His losses were through in
| vestments which proved unremunera-
| tive.
| The deceased leaves two sons and
| two daughters. One of his sons, Fred
erick F. Ritchie, is at the head
of the Opthalmic hospital in New York
| city: the other succeeds his father in
| conducting the engraving business,
having been identified with his father
| in that department in late years. The
daughters of the deceased are Mrs.
| Willard, wife of Mr.. Willard, pron1i-
nent furniture dealer of New York
| city; and Mrs. Paul c. Skiff of this
| city. The remains of the deceased were
| taken in charge by Lewis & Maycock
| and taken to Brooklyn yesterday after
noon. The funeral takes place on Sun
day al 2 p. M from the late residence
of the deceased, No. 164 Henry street,
Brooklyn.