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| You Can Help! | Ringness Home History | |
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Today, the Ringness home has passed out of the hands of the descendants of the family. The current owners of the property are Don and Alice Brandenberger. But the historical significance of the old Norwegian structures are such that it would be a tragedy if they were allowed to fall completely into disrepair. This year, Don and Alice Brandenberger made a historic decision to allow the Norwegian Society of Texas to move and repair the Ringness home, if it could be done in five years. The Society is currently working toward that goal. The undertaking of such a task is awesome, but exciting as well because of the significance to the county, and to Norwegian immigration history in Texas. A committee has been appointed , and is working with the state historical commission to restore the building to its original appearance, and, hopefully, to maintain its designation as a National Historic Site, a part of the Norse Historic District. This venture will be expensive for the organization. Grants will be pursued and will perhaps provide some of the necessary funds. As it will benefit the county at large, it is hoped that anyone who has an interest in this endeavor will contribute. The Norwegian Society of Texas is a non-profit organization; thus all donations are tax-exempt. For more information contact Betty Tindall, vtindall@starband.net or 254-597-2478. The society has set up a savings account, the Jens Ringness Restoration Fund, and also solicits pledges of money to be donated when the actual renovation begins. The Norse Historic District contains other notable stone structures erected by the early Norwegian settlers, and it would be wonderful if all could be restored and preserved. Perhaps, however, a start can be made with this historic site that will inspire others to follow suit. |
Jens and Kari Draessing Ringness arrived in Texas from Hedermarken, Norway, in 1851, accompanied by their four young children-- Ole, Marthe, John, and one-month-old daughter, Inge Marie--and Jens’ mother, Marthe Ringness. Leaving their farm at Luten, near present-day Hamar, Norway, they first settled at Normandy, near Brownsboro, Henderson County, but later moved to Prairieville. After many of the company there died of on outbreak of malaria, including Jens’ mother and the baby Inge Marie, the family decided to move to Bosque County with a small band of Norwegians. On the banks of Neil’s Creek, Jens selected a farmstead and built a log cabin for his growing family. Nestled amid the hills and fertile valleys, the site provided abundant wildlife and friendly Indians. Lumber and limestone were plentiful for building. Soon the small log cabin proved too small for the growing family.A third son, Gunareus, the first child born to Norwegian parents in Bosque Co., arrived in August of 1855. October of 1856 welcomed another daughter, Ellin. Visitors to the area and new settlers found shelter there as well, sometimes for extended periods of time. Jens began work on the large stone home whose remnants still stand on the banks of Neil’s Creek along Texas Highway 219. This structure, an excellent example of the Norwegian Dobblethus, was completed shortly before Christmas, 1859. Materials for the house were hauled from Waco by ox wagon, and neighbors helped hew the large logs which supported the inside ceilings. Besides serving as home to the growing family, this home bears historical significance to the area for a number of reasons. First, wonderful stories of the hospitality of Jens and Kari Ringness abound. It was said that no one was ever turned away hungry or refused lodging, regardless of the large number of persons inhabiting the house. Kari welcomed each visitor to stay as long as necessary to find an establishment of his or her own. Never complaining about the extra work, she went about her duties of feeding everyone, singing as she worked. Secondly, the structure plays an important role in the history of the establishment of the Lutheran Church in Bosque Co. A visiting pastor from Four Mile came to the home in 1855, baptizing the children and performing marriages. He suggested to those assembled there that they establish a church and issue a call for a pastor of their own. This action was agreed upon, but delayed by the outbreak of the Civil War. It was not until January 10, 1867, that Pastor S. S. Reque held the first Lutheran service in the county in the Ringness home. Two years later, Pastor Estrem arrived and began organizing Our Savior’s Lutheran Church at Norse. The congregation continues to this day, being the oldest continuously active Lutheran Church in the county. Also, the invention of the disk plow took place on this property. Ole Ringness, the eldest son of Jens and Kari, was the first mail carrier in Bosque Co., carrying mail from Norman Hills Post Office to Fort Worth. On one of his four day trips back and forth, Ole noticed that when driving in deep mud, as the load became heavier, the wagon wheel began to cup. He noted that the more the wheel cupped, the more mud it moved. A wonderful idea occurred to him: wouldn’t this be a great way to construct a plow? Back home, he worked on the invention in the blacksmith shop which still stands on the property. When it was completed to his satisfaction in the summer of 1872, he made a trip to New York City to meet prospective buyers for a patent on his plow. Unfortunately, Ole died while on this trip, and no one was ever able to discern the cause of his death. His family was notified of his demise by the Masonic Lodge in Clifton, where he had been the first man making application for membership after the Clifton lodge was organized. The descendants of Jens and Kari Ringness continue to make a contribution to the life of our county and state. Their children produced numerous heirs. Marthe Ringness married Eric Lindberg, who had seven children. John Ringness married Agnette Hoel and had eleven children. Ellin Ringness married John Homerstad and had eight children. Karolene Ringness married Peder Reierson and had ten children. The other children in the family died without heirs. Owen Ringness and his children and Gail Ringness are direct descendants of the family bearing the Ringness name, but countless descendents trace their lineage to these bold pioneers. |
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