Thomas L. Ringham Mrs. Ringham
Well known as a representative citizen of Northwood is Thomas L. Ringham, who for a long period was identified with mercantile interests, but is now living retired. Nature seems to have intended that man should enjoy a period of rest in the evening of his days, for in early life he possesses notable vigor and ambition and in his maturity these are guided by a sound judgment, while his continued activity, if intelligently directed, will bring him to a point of success that will relieve him of the necessity for continued business effort in his later years. Such has been the record of Mr. Ringham and the success which he has achieved should serve to inspire and encourage others. He was born at Voss, Norway, March 29, 1850, and is a son of Lars Iverson and Britha Thorbjørnsdatter Traa. 'The father was a native of Norway, was married in that country and there followed farming throughout his entire life. He also engaged to some extent in the tailoring business. Both he and his wife passed away in their native country, the death of the mother occurring in 1860.
Thomas L. Ringham spent his boyhood days in Norway, where he pursued his education and assisted his father in the work on the farm. He also learned the tailoring trade, which he followed until he reached the age of twenty-two years, when in 1872 he came to the United States. He crossed the Atlantic on a steamer which dropped anchor in the harbor of New York city, and from the eastern metropolis he proceeded westward by rail to Chicago, where he remained for a time. He followed tailoring in connection with S. B. Lund until 1889, when he removed westward to Worth county, Iowa, and established his home in Northwood on the 27th of October. He then purchased a home which is a modern frame dwelling and which he has since occupied.
Soon after his arrival here Mr. Ringham embarked in merchandising, having purchased an interest in the business before leaving Chicago, so that after he had settled here he was ready to at once engage in business. The store was conducted under the firm style of J. P. Thompson & Company and for eight years Mr. Ringham remained an active factor in the management and, control of the business. In 1890, however, the store was destroyed by fire and the stock was badly damaged. The firm then removed their remaining stock to another store farther down the street and continued the business for a time, but later closed out their interests. In the fall of the same year Mr. Ringham was elected recorder of Worth county and so acceptable was his service in that position that he was continued in the office by reelection for eight and a half years, or until 1899. In the meantime he had become a stockholder in the Northwood Banking Company, now the First National Bank, and. on his retirement from the office of recorder accepted the position of assistant cashier in the bank and acted in that capacity for eight years, or until January 1, 1907, when he was obliged to withdraw from active work on account of rheumatism, being succeeded in his position in the First National by his son-in-law, T. 0. Groe. After resting for a little time, Mr. Ringham recovered from his ailment, but has since lived retired, enjoying a well merited rest.
In Chicago, Illinois, on the 29th of March, 1876, which was the anniversary of his birth, Mr. Ringham was united in marriage to Miss Inger Larsdatter Hirth, a daughter of Inger and Asliana (Myrlind) Hirth. Mrs. Ringham was born in Norway and came to the United States in 1868 with her parents, who were also natives of the land of the midnight sun. Her father had followed farming in Norway, but after crossing the Atlantic to the United States lived retired in Woodstock, Illinois. The journey over the briny deep had been made in one of the old-time sailing vessels and seven weeks were required in making the voyage to Quebec. From that point they continued their journey and after two weeks arrived in Chicago, Illinois, having come by way of the lakes and across the country to Woodstock, Illinois, thus terminating a very long and wearisome journey. It had been necessary for them to bring provisions enough to last for the entire voyage across the Atlantic. To Mr. and Mrs. Ringham have been born five children, but the first child died in infancy, unnamed. The others are: Bertha, Lillian, Amanda and Ida.
In politics Air. Ringham is a republican and he and his wife are consistent members of the Norwegian Lutheran church. He has served on the town board for one term and has held other local offices. For a number of years he was a director and the treasurer of the Farmers Mutual Insurance Association. He is widely and favorably known in Northwood and throughout Worth county, where he has made his home for more than thirty-five years. He is today numbered among the early settlers and valued citizens, having gained for himself a most creditable position in business circles, while at all times he has stood for that which is most worth while in citizenship. He has never had occasion to regret his determination to come to the new world, for here he has found the opportunities which he sought and in their utilization has gained a measure of success that is most gratifying. In 1901 he paid a visit to his old home in Norway and had the pleasure of meeting many old friends.
Transcribed by Gordon Felland - October, 2005 (pictures added 11/21/06)
