Henry RINGLER

Parish Register of Friedewald, Hersfeld, Hesse, GER:

Getauft am 30. Juni 1844:Johannes Justus und Heinrich Fredrich

Ringler geboren am 17. Juni 1844, Sohn des Johann Peter Ringler II.

und dessen 3. Ehefrau Anna Gerthrude geb. Mohr aus Herfa; Haus

Nr. 11

On ship “Christel,” from Bremerhaven to NY, arriving 30 Nov 1864:

Johann-Justus Ringler, 20, m., from Germany, farmer

Heinrich Ringler, 20, m., from Germany, farmer

Henry Ringler, a leading general merchant of Strawn, carries a large and well-assorted stock of dry-goods and groceries, and in fact keeps nearly

everything required in the household together with the lighter implements of the farm. His present store was established in 1877, and for the past

twenty years he has enjoyed the esteem and confidence of the people of Fayette Township, where he has built up a lucrative trade among its best

residents. His has been a life of industry, and the comforts with which he is surrounded today are but the just reward of his labors.

Mr. Ringler is one of the finest representatives of that nationality to which the State of Illinois is so greatly indebted for her present position among

the commonwealths of the West. His early home was across the water in the Province of Hersfeld, Germany, where his birth took place June 16,

1844. His parents, Peter and Gertrude (Mohr) Ringler, were of pure German ancestry, and emigrated with their family to the United States in 1866.

In the meantime there had been born to them seven sons, namely: Peter, George, John, Henry, William, Frederick, and August. It has been the

custom of the Emperor from time immemorial to bestow a gift of $42 upon the father of seven successive sons, and Peter Ringler was the recipient

of this bequest from the present ruler of Germany, Emperor William.

This remarkable incident occurs only about

once in 10,000 families, and is well worthy

of record.

Upon setting foot on American soil the father

of our subject resided for a time in New York

State, and then came to this county, locating

in Belle Prairie Township, where he engaged in

farming and as a contractor and builder. He

had at one time a large fortune which he lost

through the schemes of a railroad company,

and afterward abandoned contracting, and gave

his attention exclusively to farming until his

death, which took place in 1875. The mother

died at the homestead in Belle Prairie Township

about 1882.

Our subject remained with his parents until his

childhood was passed, receiving a good

education, and then served a thorough

apprenticeship at the blacksmith trade. While

the family were in New York he followed his

trade there, and three years later, on the 1st of

March, 1868, was married to Miss Catherine

(Fuchs) Fox, a native of his own country. Her

parents emigrated to America about 1866 and

located in Chicago, where they remained until

1870. Subsequently they came to this county

and took up their residence with their son-inlaw,

our subject, where they passed their last

days, the mother passing away in 1872, and

the father in 1878.

The children of Mr. and Mrs. Ringler, eight

in number, were named respectively, Frederick,

August, Lizzie, Henry, Mary, George, Katie

and William. They form an interesting family

group, which happily to this time has been

unbroken, and they are all at home with their

parents. Mr. Ringler has a brother in New

York who has just purchased 320 acres

adjoining this city, and our subject takes

charge of it in the spring.

Upon exercising the right of suffrage, Mr.

Ringler identified himself with the Democratic

party, and religiously, is a member of the

Lutheran Church. The family residence is one

of the most shapely and substantial in the

village, and its inmates enjoy the society of

many friends. On another page may be found

a view of Mr. Ringler’s residence and place

of business.

Portrait and Biographical Album of Livingston County,

Illinois (Chapman Bros.--1888), pages 594-5

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