Hans came to Landstuhl as a traveling Journeyman butcher. He married Margareth Metzel before 1590. She Was the daughter of Henrich Metzel, Mayor of Landstuhl, who was also a butcher. Hans remarried in 1601 to Anna Eva (maiden name unknown).

All German emigrants to America of the name of Kettenring or Kettering have been traced back to Hans Jacob Kettenring.

From "My German Ancestors III (Catron/Kettenring and allied families, Wenrich, Zimmer, Faul)" by Clifford R. Canfield:
Very few records are found for these early Kettenrings as the Thirty Years war started in 1618 and ended in 1648. This was a terrible time for people living in much of Germany. Whole towns and villages were devastated and in some instances completely depopulated. People living in the direct route of the various armies were often routed from their homes, fleeing to other areas and some never returned. It is no wonder church and other records were destroyed or kept only intermittently during this period.