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biography
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Ringle, John, who since March 1900, has lived retired in Cambridge, was
for many years actively and successfully identified with the
agricultural interests on Henry County. His birth occurred in
Minersville, Pennsylvania, on the 21st of May, 1841, his parents being
Joseph and Mary Ann (Whitesell) Ringle, likewise natives of the Keystone
state. The paternal grandfather, Mathias Ringle, was a Revolutionary
soldier and took up his abode in Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania,
where his son Joseph was born. The mother of Joseph Ringle bore the
maiden name of Mary Ann Clawson and lived to an advanced age. Mathias
Ringle, who was twice married and reared a family of twenty-one
children, passed away when sixty-seven years of age. Jonathan
Whitesell, the maternal grandfather of our subject, was a native of
Pennsylvania and followed general agricultural pursuits throughout his
active business career. He and his wife died in that state when well
advanced in years. They had five children.
Joseph Ringle, the father of John Ringle, was a coal miner and owned a
number of teams, hauling coal into Pittsburg. Having determined to
establish his home in this state, he first sent his son James to Henry
County with four horses and a wagon and in the spring of 1857 came here
with the other members of the family. They took up their abode on a
rented farm in Munson Township and later the father purchased a tract of
one hundred and sixty acres in Osco Township where he reared his
children. During the last fifteen years of his life he lived retired in
Cambridge, having won a comfortable competence through the careful
conduct of his agricultural interests. His demise, which occurred at
the home of his son William in Osco Township, was the occasion of deep
and widespread regret. His wife, who survived him, was called to her
final rest on the 3d of December, 1898, when eighty-four years of age.
They were both devoted and faithful members of the Presbyterian Church.
Their union was blessed with nine children, seven of whom still survive,
namely: James; John, of this review; Catharine, the widow of Harrison
Moore, of Newton, Iowa; William [also bio in this book],
a resident of Cambridge; Louisa, the widow of A. J. Combs, of Cambridge; Mary,
the widow of J. C. Sherrard, of Cambridge; and David, living in Geneseo Township.
John Ringle, who obtained his education in the district schools, was a
lad of sixteen years when he came with his parents to Henry County,
Illinois, and grew to manhood on his fathers farm in Osco Township. On
the 10th of September 1861, he enlisted as a private in Company C, Ninth
Illinois Cavalry, with which he served for a little more than three
years. He participated in the battles of Tupelo, Franklin and Nashville
and also took part in numerous skirmishes, ever proving a most brave and
loyal soldier. When hostilities had ceased he returned to Henry County
and engaged in farming for two years, on the expiration of which period
he removed to Caldwell County, Missouri, where he was identified with
agricultural pursuits for four years. At the end of that time he
returned to this county and purchased a partly improved farm of one
hundred and fifty acres in Osco Township, on which he made his home
until the spring of 1883, seventeen acres lying a mile north of
Cambridge and successfully continued its cultivation and improvement
until March, 1900, when he took up his abode in Cambridge, where he has
since lived retired in the enjoyment of the fruits of his former toil.
On the 28th of February, 1867, Mr. Ringle was joined in wedlock to Miss
Mary Humphrey, who was born in New York City on the 31st of March, 1844,
her parents being Nicholas and Sophia (Van Allan) Humphrey, both natives
of Canada. The father was of French parentage and the mother came of
German lineage. Of their family of ten children, seven lived to attain
years of maturity and two still survive, namely: Mrs. J. M. Loomis, of
Missouri; and Mrs. John Ringle. Nicholas Humphrey passed away in New
York City in 1862, at the venerable age of ninety-eight years, and the
demise of his wife occurred in the year 1847. Unto Mr. And Mrs. Ringle
have been born three daughters, as follows: Annie L., who is now the
wife of Daniel Conneghy, by whom she has three childrenOra, Clayton and
Lela; Ida A., who is the wife of Charles C. Curtis and has four
childrenDelia, Mabel, John and Chester; and Kate L., who gave her hand
in marriage to Thomas M. Neville and has two children Gladys and
Mildred.
Politically, Mr. Ringle is a stalwart advocate of the Republican Party.
He still maintains pleasant relations with his old army comrades through
his membership in the G.A.R., and while in the service belonged to the
Union League. His wife is a faithful and exemplary member of the
Congregational Church. He has long resided in this county and owing to
his upright and honorable career, enjoys in unqualified measure the
confidence and esteem of all who know him.
History of Henry County, Illinois, by Henry L. Kiner, Volume II,
Chicago: The Pioneer Publishing Company, 1910.
Contributed by Alice Gless.
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