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William G. Ritch (May 4, 1830 – September 14, 1904) was acting governor of the New Mexico Territory and a member of the Wisconsin State Senate.
Biography
Ritch was born on May 4, 1830 in Ulster County, New York. During the American Civil War, he was a first lieutenant with the 46th Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry Regiment of the Union Army. He died on September 14, 1904 and was buried at Santa Fe National Cemetery. Ritch was a member of the Knights Templar.
Political career
Ritch was a member of the Wisconsin State Senate in 1868. Later, he became Secretary of the New Mexico Territory. During this time, he contributed to the design of what would later become the Seal of New Mexico. Following the death of Marsh Giddings on June 3, 1875, Ritch became acting Governor of the territory. He remained so until Samuel Beach Axtell was appointed. While acting governor, he encountered some controversy over his initial refusal to pay off the bounty hunter who shot down Billy the Kid, a decision that was eventually reversed. Ritch was a Republican.