Daughter of Andrew and Mary Pottorf
Wife of George Ringle, married April 15, 1826, Stark Co OH
Mother of John Ringle, Drazilla Ringle Willoughby, Simon A. Ringle, Mary Jane Ringle Willoughby, Henry Ringle, Nancy Ann Ringle Rarick, Martin V. Ringle, Ashel Ringle, Amanda Ringle Libe, Harriet Ringle Tanner, Emma Ringle Tanner

A LIFE FILLED WITH USEFULNESS NOW ENDED - CATHERINE RINGLE
(from an unknown published newspaper)
Catherine Pottorf was born in Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania, January 1, 1809. She was the eldest child of Andrew and Mary (Arndt) Pottorf, first in a family of seven, five sons and two daughters. When Catherine was nine years of age, in the year 1818, her parents removed to this state which was then in an almost unbroken wilderness. The journey was accomplished with ox teams, several families coming at the same time. Mrs. Ringle was wont to relate the trials of that wearisome time and the many tedious hindrances which beset them. They settled in Carroll County, and here, amid the trying realities of pioneer life, Catherine grew to womanhood. She was married when seventeen years of age to George Ringle, a resident of the same county. Their first home was made near the parental homestead. Four children were born to them, and when the youngest of these was but six weeks old the family moved to Venice township, Seneca County, and settled on what is now known as the Wm. Everingin farm, east of this city. This was in the spring of 1833. A small log cabin became their home, and through thrift, economy and perseverance they lived to see the wilderness blossom and the forest turned to rich fields of grain as the reward of honest toil. Mrs. Ringle was endowed in an unusual degree with those sterling qualities of endurance, foresight and ingenuity which are so essential to settlers in a new country. Her hand had that cunning which could spin and weave her own linen and woolen goods, preparing the ground and raising the flax. She was a "help-meet" indeed. Other children came to bless the home, until the family numbered eleven: John Ringle of Olena, Ohio; Mrs. Robert Willoughby; S.A. Ringle; Mrs. Arthur Willoughby; Henry Ringle, of Cleveland; Mrs. Nancy Rarrick,deceased; Martin, who died at the age of 26; Ashael Ringle of Norwalk, Ohio; Mrs. Henry Libe; Mrs. A.B. Tanner and Mrs. E.B. Tanner. In April 1863 they left their farm and moved to Attica, taking up their residence on South Main Street. Here they were identified with everything pertaining to the early history of the town; at a time when neighborly kindness, in sickness and in health, was the medium of exchange. It was in this that Mrs. Ringle was looked upon as almost a public benefactor--ready with help at any call. Mrs. Ringle united with the Methodist Protestant church in early womanhood, and when the church in Attica was organized and about to build a house of worship, she and her husband gave substantial support in money, time and labor--withholding nothing until the building should be completed. Twice only in all her long life did death invade the circle of her family--first removing the son--a young man of great promise. And again, on August 31, 1879, her husband, by whose side she had been happy to toil for over fifty-four years, was borne to the grave. About four years ago it was discernable that her memory was failing, first as only a light cloud, but slowly and gradually deepening until it became necessary for her to be constantly cared for by other members of her family. She passed through a very serious illness, during the winter of '96, at the home of her son, S.A. ringle, where she had been for several months. Mrs. Ringle was a person of remarkable constitution--a vitality which seemed to defy disease, and though slightly enfeebled she regained in a wonderful degree her general health. The following summer was spent at the home of her daughter, Mrs. H. Libe, and since then she has been cared for by her youngest daughter, Mrs. E. B. Tanner. Her faculties seemed to steal away so gradually that death was preceded by only a few days illness. She died June 19, 1899, aged 90 years, 5 months and 12 days. The funeral was held from the church of which she had so long been a member, Thurday afternoon, Rev. S.S. Fisher conducting an instructive, helpful and impressive service,using for a foundation that scripture which has given comfort to a multitude of bereaved hearts, "Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord." By request, Mrs. Ringle's favorite hymn, "The Home of the Soul," was among the beautiful selections rendered by the choir. A large concourse of friends followed the remains of the aged pioneer to its last resting place in Attica Cemetery.