BIO: Sylvester Ritts PRINGLE, Centre County, PA Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by JRB Copyright 2009. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/centre/ http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/centre/1picts/commbios/comm-bios.htm _____________________________________________________________________ Commemorative Biographical Record of Central Pennsylvania: Including the Counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion: Containing Biographical Sketches of Prominent and Representative Citizens, Etc. Chicago: J. H. Beers, 1898. _____________________________________________________________________ SYLVESTER RITTS PRINGLE, a leading merchant and undertaker of Port Matilda, Centre county, is a native of Pennsylvania, born December 13, 1839, in Summer Hill, Cambria county, and is a son of Philip and Elizabeth (Ritts) Pringle. The father was born in Cambria county, January 29, 1813, and in early life followed mercantile pursuits in Summer Hill and Claysburg, Penn., but later turned his attention to farming. His parents were Philip and Mary Pringle, who were of Scotch- Irish origin. In politics, Philip Pringle, Jr., was a Democrat until 1860, after which he gave his support to the Republican party, and, being one of the prominent men of the community where he made his home, served in several official positions. He and his wife were earnest Christians, faithful members of the United Brethren Church. The mother of our subject was born in Blair county, Penn., November 23, 1820, a daughter of Thomas and Catherine (Lower) Ritts, natives of Pennsylvania, who died in Taylor township, Blair county, then part of Bedford county. By occupation her father was a farmer and saddler. In 1870 Mrs. Pringle, her husband and one daughter all died of typhoid fever; the father passed away September 21, and the mother on October 16. Six children were born to them: Sylvester R., of this sketch; Mary C. and Sarah A., who died unmarried; John S., who died in infancy; Jane, wife of James Dively, of Altoona, Penn., and David A., a resident of Mahaffey, Pennsylvania. The boyhood and youth of Sylvester R. Pringle were spent upon his father's farm, where he remained until fifteen years of age, when he began clerking in the mercantile establishment of his uncle at Sharpsburg. Owing to ill health he resigned his position two years later and returned to the home farm, where he remained till he was twenty years old, and then entered the employ of Hasting & Coolbroth, from Portland, Maine, who were engaged in the shook business in Blair county, and served as their foreman for twelve years, during which time he got out timber in Blair, Bedford, Cambria, Clearfield and Centre counties. In 1872 he embarked in the shook business and the manufacture of staves in Centre county on his own account, and was thus engaged for three years. Purchasing a farm in Taylor township, he operated the same until 1881, when he removed to Port Matilda in order to better educate his children, and in 1884 he erected his present comfortable home and neat store building. He has met with success in merchandising, and is one of the representative and prominent business men of the place. In Blair county, December 29, 1859, Mr. Pringle was married to Miss Catherine Ickes, who was born August 7, 1837, in what was then Bedford county, but is now part of Blair county, Penn., a daughter of John and Eve (Emler) Ickes. Ten children graced this union, namely: Lloyd S., a merchant of Mahaffey, Penn.; Mary A., wife of S. R. Mansfield, of Bedford county; Clara A., who died in infancy; Amanda J., wife of William Lingerfelder, of Altoona, Penn., who works in the railroad shops; Arthur G., deceased; Minnie B. and Effie L. (twins), the former at home, and the latter the wife of Martin McKelvey, who is employed in the railroad shops in Altoona; John F., of Altoona; and Elizabeth and Chester M., at home. John Ickes, the father of Mrs. Pringle, was born August 2, 1802, at what is known as Dutch Corner, Bedford county, and was a son of Philip and Elizabeth Ickes, who spent their entire lives in that county, engaged in agricultural pursuits. At Dutch Corner, John Ickes married Eve Emler, a daughter of Jacob and Christina Emler, also farming people of Bedford county. The following children were born of their union: Polly, who married H. Walter, but both are now deceased; Elizabeth, wife of A. J. Berget, a farmer of Blair county; Sallie S., wife of Jacob Diebert, a merchant and farmer of Claysburg, Penn.; Mary A., deceased wife of H. Hedrick, a retired farmer of Blair county; Catherine, wife of our subject; Adam, a resident of Cambria county; Christina, wife of Moses Barkcomer, a farmer of Blair county; Hannah, wife of Jacob Dotson, a farmer of Blair county; John, who operates the homestead farm; Rosanna and Lucinda, deceased; Eliza J., wife of Alexander Butler; Eve, COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 269 wife of Samuel Smith, a miner of Lilly Station, Penn.; Harrison, a railroad employee; and Beckie, wife of Alexander Sutler, of Blair county. The father of this family was a Republican in politics, and a member of the German Reformed Church, to which his wife also belonged. He died September 14, 1896. In his family were fifteen children, 106 grandchildren, 139 great-grandchildren, and seven great-great- grandchildren. During President Harrison's administration, Mr. Pringle was the efficient postmaster at Port Matilda, and has ably filled several other local offices. He is a firm supporter of the Republican party, fraternally is a member of the Odd Fellows Society, No. 845, at Stormstown, and with his family holds membership in the Methodist Episcopal Church. He started out in life with nothing but his indomitable energy, and his accumulation of this world's goods is attributable to his sound judgment and persevering efforts. His word in business transactions is considered as good as his bond, and he is justly recognized as one of the energetic and representative citizens of Centre county. He has taken a prominent part in public affairs, always lending his influence to promote the best interests of the community where he resides.