Edward O. Ritter. The entire absence of competition in his line cannot account in full for the success which has attended the activities of Edward O. Ritter, proprietor of the only livery barn remaining at Troy, for Mr. Ritter is a man of sound business principles who has conducted his affairs in an able and judicious manner. He is a native of the city of which he is now a resident, and was born in 1876, a son of Charles and Martha E. (Steinmetz) Ritter. There were six children in the family: W. H., Charles L., George S., Edward O., Mrs. Otto Smith and Mrs. John Heiser. Edward O. Ritter received a public school education and as a youth applied himself to learning the carriage trimming business with the Troy Carriage Company and the Troy Buggy Company. He also operated a bus for the transfer firm of Scobey & Vandiver and subsequently entered the livery business in partnership with F. E. Scobey, under the firm style of Scobey & Ritter, having an establishment on Cherry street, where the old creamery stood. This was quite a pretentious business, as the firm has sixty-five horses, but the business was sold to C. M. Smith. June 10, 1904, Mr. Ritter embarked in business on his own account, renting from the county, a barn in the rear of the county jail, where he started with four horses. This venture proved profitable, and in 1917 he removed to his present location, on Jackson street, between Main and Water streets, a property, which belonged to Joseph Barnett and Harry Landis. This is now the only livery stable remaining in Troy and Mr. Ritter is doing a splendid business, having eleven livery horses and ten boarders. He is a man of sound integrity .and very popular with his associates, while during the way period, as well as in normal times, he has always faithfully and fully discharged the full duties of citizenship. He is a member of the local lodge of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, in which lie has numerous friends. Mr. Ritter married Elizabeth, daughter of Frank and Emma McDonald. Mrs. Ritter is a member of the Methodist church.