Cemetery fence gate for grave of Dr. A.W. [August Wilhelm] Rittler, 1872, formerly at Hoboken Cemetery, North Bergen, N.J.
Entry/Object ID
2011.032.0001
Description
Ornate cemetery fence gate for grave site of Dr. A.W. [August Wilhelm] Rittler, 1872, formerly at Hoboken Cemetery, North Bergen, N.J. Cast iron, 30" wide x 44" high. No foundry name.
His name and death date are on gate.
A physician, Gopsill's 1867 directory (for 1866) listed him at 158 Washington St. (old number - modern 334). He is known to have come to America in 1848 (or probably circa 1855) as a political exile from Dresden as a German '48er'. See notes and archives 2013.074.0001 for family history and portraits of him and his wife, Sophia Rosalia Puruckherr.
His first name has also been seen spelled with an 'e', Auguste.
Acquisition
Accession
2011.032
Source or Donor
Hoboken Cemetery Association
Acquisition Method
Gift
Credit Line
Gift of Hoboken Cemetery Association
Made/Created
Date made
1872
Condition
Overall Condition
Fair
General Notes
Note
Notes: Objects 2011.032.0001
Excerpt from page 332: Refugees of Revolution: the German Forty-Eighters in America. By Carl Frederick Wittke. Greenwood Press, 1952.
Dr. AW Rittler, who was accused of harboring refugees from Dresden in his home in Altenburg, established his medical practice in New York and Hoboken.
--------------
Excerpts pp. 209-210 from Memoirs of Gustave Koerner, 1809-1896, life-sketches written at the suggestion of his children; (Volume 01).
http://www.ebooksread.com/authors-eng/gustav-philipp-krner/memoirs-of-gustave-koerner-1809-1896-life-sketches-written-at-the-suggestion-o-hci/page-18-memoirs-of-gustave-koerner-1809-1896-life-sketches-written-at-the-suggestion-o-hci.shtml
[partial excerpt pg 209 re events in 1848]
On the fifth of March I left Leipsic [Leipzig] for Altenburg. There
I was at once amongst a large circle of Jena friends.
Wilhelm Weber was at home, but expected to resume his duties
at Leipsic at the commencement of the summer session. The
210 MEMOIRS OF GUSTAVE KOERNER
Liberal party of Altenburg was very strong. There was in the
city a large Press-Union and similar unions existed in the
country. One of the principal leaders was Dr. Rittler, highly
esteemed as a citizen and as a physician. He also became an
exile and came over to New York, where he soon acquired a
high standing. I found him very determined, as much so as
William Weber. He had connections with Liberals in Leipsic,
Dresden and other points in the Kingdom of Saxony and
seemed to be satisfied that on a general rising the people in
Saxony and the Saxon dukedoms would not be wanting. We
talked much of our dear friend Koehler, who had gone as a
physician to Poland, had been taken prisoner, but having
been released, died at Kalisch of typhoid fever, in the arms
of Gustav Bunsen, who had also gone to Poland. I spent
several days at Altenburg in a highly interesting manner.
I left my warm friends with much regret. My next stopping
place was dear old Jena. I arrived at midnight in a heavy
snowstorm, and took lodgings at the "Sun," on the south
side of the market place.
[end excerpt]
Status: OK
Status By: dw
Status Date: 2011-06-08
