John Ringold

John Ringold, sexton of the Fulton street cemetery, in Grand Rapids, is a native of Holland, was born near Zeeland on the 19^th of October, 1849. He came to America with his parents in 1865, and lived in Cincinnati, Ohio, for about six years. From there he came to Grand Rapids in 1871, and has since made this city his permanent home.

The parents of subject were Gerard and Anna S. (Tilame) Ringold, were natives of Holland, and the father was a gardener--the business he followed in Cincinnati and also in Grand Rapids. He died here at the age of sixty-eight years. The father’s father is also buried in Grand Rapids, having died at the age of seventy-nine years, and the remains of all were interred in the cemetery of which the subject now has charge.

John Ringold learned the business of a gardener and served at that calling, as well as coachman, in Cincinnati; and also in this city. Two years were spent at the same business in Salem, Mass. In 1880 he was elected sexton by the board of directors of Fulton street cemetery, has held that position continuously since. This is a private cemetery, irrespective of church organization. Its patrons are the old settlers of the city and county, this being the oldest cemetery in the c ity, having been laid out in 1835. Mr. Ringold has buried at least 3,000 people, and he is of the opinion that there are 2,000 unmarked graves. The grounds include about fifteen acres, all laid out in buried lots, there being only about fifty unoccupied. The grounds are handsomely kept, Mr. Ringold having from three to seven men employed as assistants. His nineteen years’ continuous work as sexton is sufficient recommendation of his ability and adaptability.

Mr. Ringold was married in this city June 23, 1880, to Hattie Konning, a native of Holland, Europe, who came to this country in childhood. Her parents were Harry and Talge Stolp, both natives of the same country. The mother died in 1886, and the father lives at Alaska, Mich.

Mr. Ringold has five brothers and two sisters living--he being the eldest. The second is Cornelius, who lives at 445 Wealthy avenue, and is a furniture packer for Berkey & Gay. Henry is a traveling furniture salesman; Nicholas is employed with Julius Berkey in the furniture business; Peter --is in Chicago, interested in the laundry business; Mary--twin sister of Peter--is the wife of Jacob Bastiansa, of this city; Minnie is now married to Cornelius Copeman, a grocer of Fulton street, this city.

Mr. and Mrs. Ringold have a family of nine living children--four sons and five daughters--named as follows: Anna, Harry, Gerard, Cornelius, Albert, Tildena, Minnie, Marietta, Margaret Helen and Elizabeth, all at home, and they had still another daughter, Tillie, who passed away at the age of two months and eleven days.

Mr. Ringold is a stanch republican, as are also his brothers, and the family church relations are with the Bethany Reform church. Mr. Ringold is a member of the I.O.O.F., and also the Holland Aid society. He has been very successful in accumulating property, having by his own efforts secured valuable properties in Grand Rapids. He owns a good comfortable home, where his family live. He and family are highly respected, and well deserve the high regard in which they are held by everybody in the city.