The son of a soldier who gave up his life for the Union, James A. Ring,
of Shaws Point township, has shown many of the sturdy traits of character
which were possessed by his honored father, and is justly entitled to the
success he has attained as an agriculturist and stock-raiser. He was born in
Coles county, Illinois, in November, 1856, a son of Henry and Eliza
(Griffin) Ring, the former being a native of Kentucky and the latter of
Indiana. The father came to Coles county in the pioneer days and engaged in
farming. He was a sincere lover of the republic and in 1861, when the life
of the Union was threatened, he enlisted in the federal army and was sent to
the front in the army of the west. On account of exposure and the hardships
of fighting and campaigning he was taken sick at the close of six months and
died in a hospital at Nashville, Tennessee, in 1862. After his death his
widow returned with her children from Illinois to her old home in Indiana,
continuing there until the close of the war, when she came to Macoupin
county, Illinois.
Mr. Ring of this review attended the public
schools of Indiana and Macoupin county. As soon as he became old enough he
went out to work by the month and continued for fifteen years working for
wages. He then began farming upon his own account and rented land for eight
years. He afterward purchased one hundred and ten acres, partly improved, in
Shaws Point township. He greatly increased the value of the place by good
management and proper rotation of crops, also erecting buildings, making it
one of the desirable farms of the locality. His son, James W., is now in
charge of this property and the father is operating the Burke and McGready
farm of two hundred and seventy-six acres, of which he has been in control
for seven years. He usually keeps on hand about a carload of cattle and
twenty-three head of horses and mules, also feeding two carloads of hogs
each year. His efforts have met with merited recompense and each year
witnesses an increase in his revenue.
In September, 1886, Mr. Ring
was married to Miss Mary Ann Fishback, a daughter of John and Jennie
Fishback, both of whom were born in Germany. The parents came to Macoupin
county, Illinois, many years ago, and Mr. Fishback cultivated a rented farm
for several years. Subsequently he purchased and improved a small place,
upon which he spent the remainder of his life. He died in 1897. The mother
is still living and makes her home with the subject of this review, having
arrived at the age of seventy-eight years. Four children have been born to
Mr. and Mrs. Ring: Frank, who is now twenty-four years old; James W., who is
twenty-three years of age; John H., of the age of nineteen years; and Homer
O., thirteen years old.
Mr. Ring takes an active interest in local
affairs and is now serving as township commissioner, an office which he has
filled most acceptably for six years past. Pie also occupied the position of
township treasurer for three years. Socially he is identified with the
Modern Woodmen of America. He is a man of frank and straightforward address
and by contact with the world has gained much practical knowledge, which he
has been able to apply to good advantage. He belongs to the best type of
citizenship and is recognized as a jnst and upright man, who may be depended
upon to maintain the family name with dignity and honor.
Extracted 18 May 2018 by Norma Hass from History of Macoupin County, Illinois: Biographical and Pictorial, by Charles A. Walker, published in 1911, Volume 2, pages 44-45.
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