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For additional information, see From Germany to America: The Kettenring Family in Catron's Corner (http://catronscorner.blogspot.com/).
From the preface to the 1956/1957 edition of The Kettenring Family in America, by Henry Hardy Catron:
In grateful acknowledgement to God for the strength He has given to enable me to accomplish what has been done, I want to bear testimony and as a labor of love and in appreciation of God's goodness to me, I dedicate this volume to Him.
For the past five years I have devoted my time, money and energy in seeking to learn more about the family. The enclosed marriage and family records are groups of parts of the family tree of the Kettenring family in America, as I have been able to collect up to press time in 1956. It is correct to the best of my knowledge, based on information received from personal contact, personal research or correspondence, which is in my files. This information is known as vital statistics and classed as public property. However I am not to be held responsible for errors or wrong information given me by others.
The first Kettenring came from Switzerland and settled in the Rhineland near Herzberg. He was given the name, because as a blacksmith he made a type of log chain whose links would not kink when coiled. Ketten means chain. Thus Ketten-ring means chain-ring. The first recorded home of the Kettenrings was at Rheinpfalz, Bavaria, in southern Germany.
Upon emigration from Germany, either because of lack of schooling or errors of others the spelling was changed by some groups. For example in early Wythe County, Virginia, marriage records, these spellings were used: Catherin, Kettering, Cattering, Catron, Ketring and Cetron. The first record I have of the spelling as "Catron" was on June 2, 1774 when seven members of the family were enrolled in the Virginia Militia as "Catron".
The following is a list of emigrants coming to America, spelling used and changes made: Hams Adam Kettenring (age 27) came to America on the "Samuel" Dec. 3, 1740. Died at Londonderry township, Pennsylvania Dec. 11, 1775. The descendants of his son, Jacob, (known as the miller or tory) used the spelling Kettering, then Catron. Descendants of his son, Michael, used spelling of Kettring in Pennsylvania and Catron in Virginia.
Fans (X) Kettering (also listed as Frantz) came to America on the "Sarah" Sept. 20, 1764. Said to have stayed in Pennsylvania.
Michael Kettenring, Sept. 29, 1735-Jan. 16, 1814, born at Darmstadt, Hesse, Germany. Came to America on the "Chance", Sept. 9, 1765. Went to Lancaster, Pennsylvania, Wythe County, Virginia, and died at Sullivan County, Tennessee. His descendants used the spelling of Kettenring, then Cattron and Catron. Now use Cattron, Catron and Ketron. The last spelling being used because a professor, who rated third in the United States in his day, said the name was spelled wrong for the way it was pronounced. The new $900, 000 high school near Kingsport, Tennessee is named "Ketron" in his honor.
Johann (or Johan) Jacob Kettenring came to America on the "Chance" Sept. 9, 1765.
Christoff (also listed as Christopher Kettering) Ketering came to America on the "Chance" Sept. 9, 1765. Died at Wythe County, Virginia, 1793. His descendants used the spelling Kettering and now use Ketring and Catron.
Frans, Michael, Johann and Christoff were three brothers and a 1st cousin.
Peter Jacob Kettering (age 24) and John Jacob Kettering (age 18) born at Hermersberg, Germany came to America on the "Atlantic" Nov. 8, 1806.
Melchior Kettenring July 25, 1815-Oct. 10, 1887, born at Salxwog Canton, Germany, came to America 1837. His descendants include Charles Franklin Kettering and they use the Kettering spelling.
Henry (Heinrich) Kettenring, Jr., born at Pirmasens, Germany, 1804. Came to America about 1825. Died at Andalusia, Ill.
Frederick Philip Kettenring, Nov. 22, 1809-Feb. 14, 1890, at Pirmasens, Germany. Died at Schuyler County, Illinois.
Henry, Jr., and Frederick Philip, were sons of Henry Kettenring, Sr.
Philip Kettenring, 1821-Dec. 29 born at Neukirch, Bavaria. Died at New Orleans, Louisiana.
I intend to keep on working on the family tree and ask the help of all members in securing new information. I will at any time answer any question on the tree that I can. Arrangements are to be made to place my files and records in a genealogy library upon my death so that they will be preserved and available to all. I want to thank all members for making this book possible and hope it will be a source of pleasure and information.
Again it has been with God's help that I have been permitted to keep my health and to form invaluable friendships which are remuneration far superior to material compensations.
HENRY HARDY CATRON 411 North Grand West Springfield, Ill.