BIO: Hon. Henry RIBLING, Clearfield County, PA
 
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From Twentieth Century History of Clearfield County, Pennsylvania,
and Representative Citizens, by Roland D. Swoope, Jr.,
Chicago: Richmond-Arnold Publishing Company, 1911, pages 804 & 805.
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  HON. HENRY RIBLING, formerly burgess of Houtzdale, Pa., where he has resided 
for forty-one years and for thirty-five of these has been in the undertaking 
business, is one of the leading and substantial men of this borough.  He was 
born in Germany, January 24, 1840, and is a son of Harvey Ribling, who was born 
and died in Germany and was a soldier under the great Napoleon.
  In 1854, when but fourteen years of age, Henry Ribling came to America and 
found his way to Pittsburg, where he learned fresco painting.  In 1859 when the 
old Clearfield County Court House was erected, he was brought to this section to 
decorate it and he subsequently decorated the new court house and at one time 
had eighteen men at work under his supervision.  While he maintained his home at 
Clearfield he filled contracts at Houtzdale, Harrisburg, and even as far as 
Gettysburg, churches, opera houses and all kinds of important buildings being 
beautified by his skill.  He has long since given up work of that kind, his last 
contract being the redecorating of the court house at Clearfield, but his 
reputation was so wide spread that even yet he frequently receives letters 
asking for his bid on particular decorative work.  Mr. Ribling later embarked in 
the undertaking business together with dealing in furniture and still continues 
the latter line.  He has had much to do with the substantial development of 
Houtzdale, owns property in the borough and so enjoys the respect and esteem of 
his fellow citizens that almost any office is within his reach but he has 
accepted none since he served out his term as burgess.
  Mr. Ribling was married December 1, 1861, to Miss Susanna Harmick, then of 
Luthersburg, Pa., a native of Germany, a daughter of Daniel Harmick, who had 
settled in the above borough.  To Mr. and Mrs. Ribling, a family of thirteen 
children was born, namely:  Elizabeth, Louise, George H., Daniel, Flora, 
Matilda, Alice, Mary Susie, Harvey Eckert, Nora, Carrie and Harry Victor.  
Elizabeth married R. A. Strayer and they live at Wilkinsburg, Pa.  They have 
four children:  Mary, who married J. H. Hoffman and they have a daughter, 
Elizabeth; Madeline, who married Frank McPherson, and they have a daughter, 
Madeline Elizabeth; Margaret, who married Paul Jones, and they have two 
children:  Madeline and Margaret Elizabeth; and Frank.  Louise, the second 
daughter, married Chauncy Saupp, of Houtzdale, and they have the following 
children:  James, who has three sons, Charles, Kenneth and an infant; Frank, who 
has one son, Frank, Jr.; and Blanche, Charles, Catherine, Chauncy and Susan, the 
two last named dying young.  George H. Ribling, the eldest son, resides at 
Winber, in Somerset county.  He married Annie Thomas, and they have eight 
children:  Charles, John, Ray, Gladys, Rachel, Susie, George and Harry.  Daniel, 
who now resides at home, married Emma Freeman, who is now deceased.  Flora was 
married first to John Gillen and they have had three children:  Mamie, Agatha 
and John.  Her second marriage was with Warren E. Passmore and they live in 
Bradford county.  The next five children all died young, Matilda reaching three 
years; Alice being eleven years; Mary, being seven years, and Susie dying when 
three years old, while Harvey Eckert lived but one year.  Nora became the wife 
of Joseph Cassidy, of Jersey City, N. J., and they have three children:  Joseph, 
Marie and Margaret.  Carrie married Fred Clark, of Freedom, Pa., and they have 
two children:  Donald and Frederick Bentley.  Harry Victor, the youngest of the 
family still lives with his parents.  Mr. and Mrs. Ribling have eight living 
children, twenty-six grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.  When family 
reunions take place it is a happy occasion for these descendants are, indeed, 
people to be proud of.  Family affection is very strong between them and they 
all unite in showing respect and regard for the heads of the family who, in 
every way, are worthy of it.  Mr. Ribling is one of the oldest Odd Fellows at 
Houtzdale and is a charter member of this lodge.