Born: 1823, 10 April - US, CT, Gaylor's Bridge Died: 1892, 9 December - US, CT, Danbury Gender: Male Active: US
Edward D. Ritton was born in Gaylor‘s Bridge, CT, April 10, 1823. He served as a school teacher for a time and transitioned to painting portraits and landscapes in New York City. He painted for more than a decade. He became interested in the daguerreotype process in the early 1840s and came to Danbury CT where he set up a permanent studio. There are extant examples of daguerreotypes and albumen work by Ritton. He may have been affiliated with W.F. Leaman, a Danbury artist and daguerreian, as protege and/or assistant. Identified quarter plate daguerreotype images with studio embossed mats and identification inscriptions from Aug 25 , 1853 (couple) and Feb 20, 1856 (Morse Severn) are extant. Ritton married Flora Beardsley of New Fairfield. They had seven children. Ritton served for a time as justice of the peace and was a Mason and an Odd Fellow. Ritton suffered from chronic asthma and retired from business in November of 1892. Ritton died at his home on 6 Stevens Street, Danbury CT, on December 9, 1892.
[Contributed by Richard O. Titus]
Genealogy of Edward David Ritton
If you are related to this photographer and interested in tracking down your extended family we can place a note here for you to help. It is free and you would be amazed who gets in touch.
