John Pring

John Pring photo John PRING, son of Mary Ann KEAR and Richard PRING, was born 22 January 1821, Licking County, Ohio, and died about 1887, probably in Allen County, Indiana. He married Caroline MINARD in Van Wert County, Ohio, on 11 February 1844 [note 1].

Caroline Minard Pring photo Caroline Minard, daughter of John MINARD, Jr. and Barbara SHAEFFER, was born in Harrison County, Ohio, 11 Auugust 1824, and died on 23 March 1911 at the home of her son, James PRING, in Grabill, Allen County, Indiana. She is buried in the Leo Cemetery, Leo, Allen Co., Indiana [note 2].
Caroline's photo courtesy Minerd.com.

John and Caroline were married in his parents home by Thomas Clayton, Justice of the Peace. In the same year, 1844, they moved to what is known as the Fitch farm near Huntertown, Indiana. Three years later, in 1847, they moved to a farm in Cedar Creek township in Allen County, Indiana, where they lived the rest of their lives [note 3].

Caroline's surname was spelled Minard and Menard. Likewise, her mother's surname was spelled variously as SHERERIN, SHEFER and SHAEFFER. Barbara was born in Bedford County, Pennslvania, on 26 June 1799 to Johannes and Elizabeth SHEFER. She married John MINARD in Harrison County, Ohio, on 11 November 1824.

"Of kind and lovable nature, [Caroline] was retiring in disposition, yet her quiet strength of character was recognized by all who knew her. She was an earnest Christian, having united with the Methodist church at Robinson Chapel in 1871, of which organization she remained a consistent member until her death [note 4].

"For the last few years she was an invalid, suffering greatly much of the time. Throughout these weary years, however, she was patient and uncomplaining, awaiting the true Christian submission the Lord's own good time, and relying upon the precious promises of the book she loved so well [note 5].

"Her death was attributed to grippe and pneumonia, which afflicted her for about two weeks. Funeral services were held on Sunday from the Methodist Episcopal Church at Cedarville, Indiana [note 6]."
John and Caroline had 13 children, all born in Allen County, Indiana [note 7] Links to some of the children are in the left-hand column:
1. Esther Pring born 29 November 1844, died 13 December 1844.

2. Margaret Elizabeth PRING.

3. Theodore Franklin Pring born 26 Aug 1848, died 28 Feb 1854.

4. Isaac B. Pring born 4 May 1850, died 3 August 1850.

5. James Wesley PRING

6. Mary Jane PRING

7. John Richard PRING

8. Pernetta Augusta PRING

9. Jeremiah Duglas Pring, born 18 Sep 1858, died 12 Dec 1871.

10. Martha Elsie PRING

11. Elcina K. Pring, born 1 March 1860.

12. Elbridge Gary Pring was born 24 April 1862 and died 4 January 1939. He first married Mary "Molly" CUMMMINGS. Mary was born in 1867 and died 5 January 1917 in the St. Joseph's Hospital, Ft. Wayne, Allen County, Indiana. He then married Mary Alda ELSON [note 8]. Mary, who was previously married to a Mr. Brown, was born 9 November 1867 and died 2 July 1939.
Elbridge was a machinist at the Horton Manufacturing Company for 23 years until his retirement in 1940. After a short illnes, he died at 444 Fairmount Place, where he lived with his step-daughter, Mrs. Grace Brown.
Mary had at least three children from her previous marriage; Grace BROWN, Paul BROWN and Lawrence BROWN.

13. George Washington Henderson Pring.

Notes:

1. Marriage Records, Probate Court, Van Wert County, Ohio, Vol 1, p 2. [Return to text]

2. Death Record, Division of Vital Records, State Board of Health, 1330 W. Michigan St., Indianapolis, IN 46206, Vol. H-14, p. 91, No. 322. [Return to text]

3. Excerpts from Allen County Clippings, 1911. [Return to text]

4. Ibid. [Return to text]

5. Allen County History, cited by Betty McClanahan. All data for John Pring and descendants were mailed to the Donald Kear on 7 September 1981 by Betty McClanahan. [Return to text]

6. Ibid, cited by Betty McClanahan. [Return to text]
7. Ibid. [Return to text]
8. Index to Marriage Record 1824 - 1920 Inclusive Volume I Letters A - E Inclusive Record Location: Allen County, Indiana, W. P. A. Original Record Located: County Clerk's Office Fort Wayne Compiled by Indiana Works Progress Administration 1938. [Return to text]

Copyright

Information on this site related to the Kear family is from The John Cears Kear Family compiled, written and edited by Donald L. Kear, copyright © 1984. Copyright © 2000 - 2006 by Donald L. Kear. All rights reserved. Portions of the pages on this site may be reproduced for nonprofit use only. Credit shall be given to the source.