FIFTH GENERATION

16. Theodore RINGLEIB ^{(35)(36) (37)} was born on Mar 10 1835 in Nebra, Germany.⁽³⁷⁾ He immigrated in 1855 to Boonton, Morris Co., NJ.⁽³⁸⁾ Traveled for a year when he arrived in the US and finally settled in Boonton area. He was Provided Space to Boonton Fire Department in 1894 in Boonton, Morris Co., NJ.⁽³⁹⁾ On August 23, 1893, the Common Council passed a resolution that authorized the purchase of a hand-operated Pumping Engine, to be manufactured by Simeon Van Duyne, to cost $200.00 and 300 feet of hose to be stored in a suitable place in West Boonton with a suitable alarm.

On September 13 of that year, Harmony Hose & Engine Company # 2 was assigned the engine built by Simeon Van Duyne, of Boonton. Before the firehouse was completed, the engine and the 300 feet of hose was housed in Theodore Ringlieb's barn on West Main Street. When they moved into their new firehouse, they realized that more equipment would have to be purchased. Harmony Company purchased a hose reel for $90.00 and a chiefs leather helmet (purchased in Seneca Falls, NY) with a blue cord and tassel for only $5.25 without any tax!

In 1894, the Harmony Company bought a lot on the corner of Oak Street and Highland Avenue for the enormous sum of $70.00 for their own firehouse. The firehouse itself was built at a total cost of $560.00.

He died on Dec 2 1906 in Boonton, Morris Co., NJ. ⁽³⁸⁾
Obituary of Theodore Ringleib from the News paper.

Early on Sunday morning, December 2nd, at his home in West Boonton, Theodore Ringleib died after an illness of less than an hour.
On the preceding Friday he had taken a ride of sixty miles with members of the Morris County Board of Chosen Freeholders, of whom he was an active member. On Saturday he seemed to be in his usual good health except that he repeatedly complained of being chilly. Saturday evening he spent at home with his family in conversation and reading until eleven o'clock, when he retired. He always was an early riser and four o'clock in the morning never found him in bed, but on Sunday morning he arose at three and had partly dressed when he was stricken with acute indigestion and heart failure and before four he was dead. His family did all in their power, and in the short hour had brought Dr. Taylor and Father Conrad Schotthoefer, D. D. to his bedside. Mr. Ringleib was one of the most popular, best and most useful citizens and held a place among us that cannot be filled by anyone else.
He was popular with both the old and the young, and had a cheery, pleasant answer, and always a good word for every one. No matter of whom he would be talking, even his enemies--if he had any--, Mr. Ringleib would find something good to say about them.
Mr. Ringleib was born in Nedra, Germany in 1834 and when a young man like so many other young men turned his face Westward to the young country where every man was equal. He was a young man and the young country appealed to him and after traveling around for a year in 1855 he selected Boonton as a place where he would ?????????? those fifty that he has lived here, never has he regretted his choice. He loved the hills, the country, the town and the people, and in a healthy, clean, manly way we believe enjoyed every day of his life.
Mr. Ringleib by trade was a stone mason, and one of the first jobs he did was the building of the stone plane house at Montville which stands ivy clad today a monument to his skill. Like the cobbler, he "stuck to his last" and never gave up his trade. He was a mason and builder and many of the most substantial structures are of his building. His last large contract, the Mud Pond dam, for the Messrs. Capstick, was completed but a few weeks ago.
In politics, Mr. Ringleib was a sturdy Republican, and time and time again have the citizens of Boonton selected him for political positions of honor and trust. He has been a member of the City Council, and up to the time of his death was chairman of the Municipal Executive Committee, a member of the County Executive Committee, and a member of the Board of Chosen Freeholders, and a member of the Road Committee of that body, which is considered the most important committee. He was just elected for an additional term as a Chosen Freeholder. He was a director of the Boonton Building and Loan Association, and a member of the Board of Fire Wardens.
In religion, Mr. Ringleib was a devout Roman Catholic, and let the weather be wet or dry, hot or cold, every Sunday he attended Mass. Never have his nearest friends heard an oath or an improper pass his lips ???????? he directed the choir of the Church of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, and he loved his duties. He loved music, and literature and art and his home and family were his daily pleasure.
His family loved and respected him an even the littlest tot of his grandchildren would coo with pleasure at his approach.
His children and grandchildren all lived near by and daily he would call to see them all. The last act before retiring on Saturday night was to go down to Mr. John Ginder's to "bid the children good night."
Deceased leaves a widow and these children: William Ringleib, James L. Ringleib, Mrs. John Ginder, Mrs. Martin Ginder and Mrs. Joseph Cullen, all of whom reside here. He also leaves twenty-six grandchildren.
The Freeholders, of which body he was a member, assembled from all over the county in Boonton at the home of the deceased and attended the funeral as a mark of respect. The flag is flying at half mast over the Courthouse as another token of the respect in which the late member of the Freeholders was held. The chair and desk of the late Mr. Ringleib is draped in crepe in Freeholders' Hall in the Courthouse. This is the usual custom when a member of that body dies.
The funeral services, despite the inclement weather, were very largely attended, there being many present from outside of town, and people of the town turned out in large numbers. Delegations were present from every company in the Boonton Fire Department, the Board of Freeholds turned out in body, as did officers of the Boonton Building & Loan Association and a number of the members of the County Republican Executive Committee were also present. As a mark of respect the business places were closed during the time of the funeral services. The funeral procession reached from the Harris Lyceum to the late residence of the deceased. The Maxfield Engine House was draped in mourning and the fire bell tolled out his age as the funeral cortege wound its way to the Church of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, where solemn Requiem Mass was celebrated by the rector of the church, Rev. Conrad Schotthoefer, D. D., assisted by Rev. Father Brown, of Morris Plains, and Rev. Father Sotis, of Rockaway. Interment took place in St. Mary's Cemetery.

Card of Thanks.

The family of Theodore Ringleib wish to return their heartfelt and grateful thanks to those who have given such kindly expression of sympathy and shown their respect to his memory by their attendance of his funeral services. We deeply appreciate the respect shown him.

MRS. THEODORE RINGLEIB AND FAMILY


He was Roman Catholic.⁽⁴⁰⁾ May have been Lutheran while in Germany. He built several Catholic churches in Boonton, NJ including Our Lady of Mt. Carmel and St. Cyril's. He met his future wife, Bridget Collins at the cornerstone laying at OLMC church. He was asked later to join the Catholic Church and he said there was not Choir. He was encouraged to start one which he did. He was supposedly a very good singer. He was a Mason and Builder.⁽³⁸⁾ He was buried in St. Mary's Cemetary, Boonton, NJ.⁽⁴¹⁾ He was married to Bridget C. COLLINS in 1860. First met at the cornerstone laying of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church in Boonton, NJ.

17. Bridget C. COLLINS ⁽⁴²⁾ was born in 1836 in Ireland. She was born on Feb 2 1839 in Ireland. ⁽⁴³⁾ She emigrated in 1857 from Boonton, Morris Co., NJ. She came from Ireland. She died on Dec 28 1929.^{(44) (45)} Obituary 1929:
After many yaers of Confinement Mrs. Ringlieb passed away on December 28 at her home , 305 West Main Srt. She came to Boonton at the age of 18 years of the year of 1857, and has resided here ever since. In 1860 she married the late Theodore Ringlieb. She is survied by four children, twenty-five grandchildren, and 27 great-grandchildren.
On Christmas Day she was in her usual good health and spirits, on the following day she fell and on friday she suddenly passed away.
The Funeral was held at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church on Monday morning at 10 o'clock. Rev. Ed MacDonald was celebrant, Rev, James Delahanty of Paterson, NJ was deacon, Rev. J. Speilman, sub-deacon. Rev Walter Hill of Paterson, N. J., master of ceremonies, also on the alter were Rev. F. Slaint, and Rev, William Mooney of Oakland, N. J.. Interment was in St. Mary's Cemetary. She was buried in St. Mary's Cemetary, Boonton, NJ.⁽⁴⁶⁾ Listed in 1880 Census records as "Keeps House". In the 1920 Census, Bridget is listed as living at 305 W. Main St, Boonton NJ with her son-in-law Joseph P. Cullen. It lists her birthdate as 1857 in Ireland although that would disagree with other data.
Children were:

8 i. William Henry RINGLIEB.
ii. Mary Ann RINGLIEB was born on Sep 16 1863 in Boonton, Morris Co., NJ. She died in 1936 in at home, Boonton NJ.
iii. Catherine RINGLIEB⁽⁴⁷⁾ was born in 1867 in New Jersey. She died in 1924. She was buried in St. Mary's Cemetary, Boonton, NJ.
iv. James L. RINGLIEB⁽⁴⁸⁾ was born in 1869 in New Jersey. He was a Mason in 1900.⁽⁴⁹⁾ He was a Contractor- Builder in 1937 in Boonton, Morris Co., NJ. ⁽⁵⁰⁾ He died on May 1 1951. ⁽⁵¹⁾ He resided at Corner of Lake Ave. and West Main Street at 104 Lake Ave. Prior to his death in Boonton, Morris Co., NJ. ^{(52)(53) (50)} He was buried in St. Mary's Cemetary, Boonton, NJ. In 1920 Census he lived at 104 Lake Ave. Boonton NJ. In 1900 Census he lived at Chestnut St. in Boonton.
v. Christiana RINGLIEB⁽⁵⁴⁾ was born in 1884 in New Jersey. She died on Nov 11 1938. Affectionately known as Aunt Chrissy by William Ringleib Jr. Very good Pianist and her and her husband Joseph Cullen sold pianos from their home on West Main St in Boonton NJ. They never had any children.