Page:The Biographical Dictionary of America, vol. 09.djvu/121

EISLEY           RITCHIE, and superintended the placing of the batteries on the banks of the Stono river for the defence of Charleston, which enabled the Confederates to cut off the retreat of and capture the Federal gunboat Isaac Smith; severely damaged the monitor Montauk, and repelled the attack made by the Federal fleet on Fort Sumter, April 7,1863. He joined Lee's army in Richmond, Va., Feb. 17, 1865, and continued with him until the surrender of Appomattox Court House, April 9, 1865. After the war he resided in Paris for several years, and on his return, engaged in business in Charleston, S.C. He is the author of: History of the Mexican War (2 vols., 1849). He died in New York city, March 26, 1887.

RISLEY, John Ewing, diplomatist, was born near Vincennes, Knox county, Ind., in 1843; son of John and Susannah (Lenor) Risley; grandson of John and Elizabeth (Harrod) Risley; great-grandson of Col. John Harrod, one of the first settlers in Kentucky, and a descendant of Richard Risley, who came from England in 1633 and settled at what is now Hartford, Connecticut. He received his early education in his native place and was classically educated at Wabash college, Crawfordsville, and by private tutors. Removing to Terre Haute, he was admitted to the bar and practised successfully. He was married to Mary Caroline, a sister of Senator Daniel W. Voorhees. In 1864 he removed to New York city where he became well known as a corporation lawyer and also for his arguments in the Alabama claims cases, and other international courts. He made his home in Summit, N.J., 1882-87, and in New Rochelle, N.Y., after 1887. During the presidential campaign of 1884 he was active throughout New Jersey. In 1885 he was an unsuccessful candidate for U.S. district attorney, and in 1892 failed to secure the nomination for representative in congress. In March, 1893, he was appointed by President Cleveland U.S. envoy extraordinary and minister plenipotentiary to Denmark, which position he held until December, 1897, when he was succeeded by Laurits S. Swenson (q.v.).

RISLEY, Richard Voorhees, author, was born in New York city, Nov. 8. 1874; son of John Ewing and Mary Caroline (Voorhees) Risley. His father (q.v.) was U.S. minister to Denmark, 1893-97, and his mother a sister of Daniel W. Voorhees (q.v.), U.S. senator from Indiana. He attended school at New Rochelle, N.Y., and at Bethlehem, Pa. He went abroad in 1891 and became attached to the American legation at Denmark in 1893. He lived subsequently in Paris and London, where he began his literary career. In 1896 he returned to New York city, where he continued his literary work. He is the author of: The Sentimental Vikings (1897); Men's Tragedies (1899); The Sledge (1900); The Life of a Woman (1902), and contributions to The Yellow Book, London, and other periodicals.

RITCHIE, Alexander Hay, artist, was born in Glasgow, Scotland, Jan. 14, 1822. He attended the Royal Institution where he studied painting under Sir William Allen, and in 1841 he emigrated to Canada, and thence to the United States, settling in New York city. He was elected an associate of the National Academy of Design in 1863, and an Academician in 1871, and exhibited many paintings there. He became noted as an engraver on steel in mezzotint and stipple. Among his works in oil are: Mercy Knocking at the Gate (1860); Fitting out Moses for the Fair (1862); Death of Lincoln (1869); Baby, Who's that? (1871); and his mezzotints, after his own paintings, include: Amos Kendall; Mercy's Dream (1850); Henry Clay (1848); Washington and his Generals; George Washington, after a painting by Rothermel (1852); Lady Washington's Reception Day, after Daniel Huntington, and On the March to the Sea, after Felix O. C. Darley (1868). He died in New Haven, Conn., Sept. 19, 1895.

RITCHIE, David, representative, was born at Canonsburg, Pa., Aug. 19, 1812; son of Craig Ritchie. He was graduated from Jefferson college. Pa., in 1829; was admitted to the bar in 1835; received the degree of J.U.D. from Heidelberg university in 1837, and practised law at Pittsburg, Pa., 1835-53 and 1860-67. He was a Whig representative from Pennsylvania in the 33d and 34th congresses, and a Republican representative in the 35th congress, serving, 1853-59. He was judge of the court of common pleas, Allegheny county. Pa., 1859-60, He died at Pittsburg, Pa., Jan. 24, 1867.

RITCHIE, Robert, naval officer, was born in Philadelphia, Pa., Jan. 21, 1798. He was warranted midshipman, U.S.N., Feb. 1, 1814; cruised in the Peacock of the Mediterranean squadron, 1814-18, and in the Guerriere of the same squadron, 1819-20; served in Commodore Porter's fleet in the West Indies, 1823-24. and was promoted lieutenant, Jan. 13, 1825. He served in the West India and Mediterranean squadrons, 1827-31; commanded the Grampus on a cruise in the West Indies, 1833-35, and was on various duty,