BIO: John J. Ringwalt, Cumberland County, PA Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by Judy Bookwalter Copyright 2009. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/cumberland/ ______________________________________________________________________ History of Cumberland and Adams Counties, Pennsylvania. Containing History of the Counties, Their Townships, Towns, Villages, Schools, Churches, Industries, Etc.; Portraits of Early Settlers and Prominent Men; Biographies; History of Pennsylvania; Statistical and Miscellaneous Matter, Etc., Etc. Illustrated. Chicago: Warner, Beers & Co., 1886. http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/cumberland/beers/beers.htm ______________________________________________________________________ PART II. HISTORY OF CUMBERLAND COUNTY. PENNSYLVANIA. CHAPTER XXXIX. BOROUGH OF MECHANICSBURG. 431 BOROUGH OF MECHANICSBURG. JOHN J. RINGWALT, Mechanicsburg. The jolly, large-hearted, whole- souled proprietor of the "American House" was born near Carlisle, this county, March 21, 1838; son of Cyrus and Anna (Shaffer) Ringwalt, who were born in Lancaster County, Penn., and came to Cumberland County, settling near Carlisle; born were members of the Episcopal Church; they had a family of ten children, eight of whom are living: George, Kate, Mary, John J., Lydia, Cyrus, Emma and Lew. Our subject remained with his father on the farm until 1868, when he took charge of the "Locust Point Hotel" between Mechanicsburg and Carlisle. One year later he took charge of the "American House," and three years later of the "Bentz (now the "Florence") House," and in the spring of 1881 became proprietor of the "American House" in Mechanicsburg. Our subject was married here August 25, 1884, to Miss Maezey Wilson, born at Bridgeport, Cumberland Co., Penn., daughter of Robert and Sarah (Schock) Wilson, old settlers of this county. Mr. Wilson is ex- associate judge and clerk of Cumberland County courts.