William G. Ritch | |
|---|---|
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| Acting Governor of New Mexico Territory | |
| In office June 3, 1875 – July 30, 1875 | |
| Preceded by | Marsh Giddings |
| Succeeded by | Samuel Beach Axtell |
| Member of the Wisconsin Senate from the 21st district | |
| In office January 6, 1868 – January 4, 1869 | |
| Preceded by | George Gary |
| Succeeded by | Ira W. Fisher |
| Personal details | |
| Born | May 4, 1830 Ulster County, New York |
| Died | September 14, 1904 (aged 74) Engle, New Mexico |
| Resting place | Santa Fe National Cemetery, Santa Fe, New Mexico |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse | Olive Marion Babcock (died 1905) |
| Children |
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| Military service | |
| Allegiance | United States |
| Branch/service | United States Volunteers (Union Army) |
| Years of service | 1865 |
| Rank | First Lieutenant, USV |
| Unit | 46th Reg. Wis. Vol. Infantry |
| Battles/wars | American Civil War |
William Gillett Ritch (May 4, 1830 – September 14, 1904) was an American public administrator, newspaper publisher, and Republican politician. He was appointed Secretary of the New Mexico Territory by President Ulysses S. Grant in 1873, and briefly served as acting governor of the New Mexico Territory in the summer of 1875. Before relocating to New Mexico, he previously served one year in the Wisconsin State Senate, representing Winnebago County. In historical documents, his name is frequently abbreviated as W. G. Ritch, and his last name is sometimes misspelled as Rich.