The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1902-07-06
CARVED HIS WAY TO SUCCESS
BY HIS ENERGY AND PLUCK
The Rapid Rise in the Bust
ness World Of Mr.. Fritz
Sitterding, w no Came
Here a Penniless Boy,
Now at the Head Of Our
Entire Street-Car System.
Entire Street-Car system,

p.no has recently assumed control as
president of the Virginia Passenger and
lover Company and of all the allied
saeet railways and lighting interests in
RicEmoud and Petersburg, has had most
Interesting career
The record of his life is a story of ear
nest purpose, tireless yigor and industry
InimpcaChable integrity and broad-mind-
81 public spirit which voice a sermon
and furnish an example to the young men
OF this community.
Born in Hanover. Germany. forty-sevcn
Years ago. young SitterdinE. at the age
OF fourteen entered the engineer corps
Of the army. and was engaged in n COM
iilation of engineering work and study
Gl1 ug the years of 1874 1871 and 1St2-
ewing tho army corps the latter part OIL
l&t2, he was employed in private ensi-
TIc'r corps in CGpenhagen Denmark, ior
about six months.
CAME TO RICHMOND
Nr. Sitterding emisratcd to this coun-
tfv in the fall Of 1873 coming directly TO
this CITY with his mother and four sis
tors where The family has resided ever
since only seventeen years of age. in
n strange country and without the knowl
el;c Of a single word OF English, young
Si1teldTng declined his widowed mothers
prefer TO provide out Of her moderate
Iltpn
determined unaided, to make his mark
and fortune in the world Of business &C
tivitv How we'll he has succeeded need
scarcely be told in this community.
When Mr. Sitterding settled il Rich
,rond the panic Of 1873 was at its height.
end II seemed TO him best that he should
Ircrare himself for the career he had
marked out by learning a trade He ac-
cG~dinEly bound himself for three years
as n carpenters apprentice to the late
Adam Vonderlehr. During his appren-
tceship his wages amounted to only S.
week for the first year, 81 a week for
The second year, and s. a week for the
third; Yet out of this pittance the young
German carpenter laid by the sum of
SiIJ which was soon to serve as his
working capital in his first business Ven
tUre.
III the expiration of this apprentice
ship Mr. Stterding took employment with
The well known builder. the late John
Gibson, With whom he remained SIX
months. At the end of this period he
ent,reG into business as a carpenter on
his own account. beginning IL a small
WAY. as was necessary because of his
limited means. 1t was but a short while
before he hranched out as a builder. ium-
her dealer, the proprietor Of planning mills
md saw mills. and as a general contTaC-
tor. and thus began his career Of bust
ness success, which has continued TO this
tine.
a CAREER OF SUCCESS.
Only few years after Mr. Sitterding
arrived in this country, and when only
twenty-one years of age, he was mar
1-ied 10 the daughter of Mr.. GaInett Ross.
His wife, born in this country, but of
German decent. is 4, lady of charming
personality, and has won the afectionate
regard Of a multitude Of friends.
Mr., Sitterding some years ago served
,,<. ~ Sc H., NC
a member from Monroe Ward, but NOV
ing TO Henrco county at the end of tia.a
term. has resided there ever since in his
llospitable homo. near Chestnut Hill, on
FourQurean's Lane. surrounded by his
Interesting family. consisting of his wife,
sonS.
The only other public Office ever held
by Mr.. Stterding was a member OF tho
Excise Board in which he served for
the term of five years
Mr. Sitterding has probably erected
more buildings than any man in Rich
nond, and it is quite sure that he owns
more houses than any single proprietor.
1t is indeed. Very doubtful II he. him
self. could tell offhand how many houses
he does own.
The first important work done by Mr..
Sitterding of public interest was the cree
ton OF the exposition building on the
old Fair Grounds al the head of Broad
Street a part OF which still remains.
and has been utilized of late as the scene
Of the annual horse show. Among the
other large buildings erected by him,
ore the Allen & Ginter tobacco factory.
Seventh and Cary Streets; the splendid
home OF the Little Sisters Of the Poor. on
West Main Street; the Davenport tobacco
warehouse. and the reconstruction of The
Times building. a few years ago.
Mr. Sitterding is one Of the best known
men IN Richmond, and in spite OF his
MANY business interests finds time for
kindly social intercourse with his friends,
and is an active member the Gesang-
verien Virginia and other similar Or
Plantations.
HOLDS MANY OFFICES.
That his business associates at an'
early stage OF his career felt that his
Judgment and cooperation were valuable
is evidenced by his official connection
with a large number of prominent local
institutions. He is president of the Home
Brewing Company; vice-president of the
c. r. Sauer Company: the Gern1an-A1ner-
lean Banking and Building Company,
and the a. L. Shepherd Lumber Com
pany. and is an active and prominent
director in the First Nat:ona. Bank, the
Savings Bank OF Richmond, the Virginia
State Insurance Company. The South
Atlantic Life insurance Company, the
Guarantee Building and Loan Company.
financial institutions OF the city.
Mr.. Sitterding's connection with rail
road matters in this city began with
his selection as 4 member of the Newton
Boyd syndicate, which consisted of a
number of prominent bank men and CAPT
talists. who first applied for the street
car franchises. ultimately obtained by
the Richmond Passenger and Powers
Company. During the progress of the
fight for this franchise. all the other
members OF the syndicate, reached the con
clusion that the enterprise did not hold
out efficiently attractive prospects. and
withdrew
Mr.. Sirterding stood firm, however. and
associated with him number of other
business men in the community, who
secured the franchise and organized the
Richmond Passenger and Power Com
~