BIOGRAPHY: Smith Ring; Newburgh, Orange co., New York

transcribed by W. David Samuelsen for USGenWeb Archives

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Portrait and Biographical Record of Rockland and Orange Counties New York
Containing Portraits and Biographical Sketches of Prominent and Representative
Citizens of the Counties.
Together with Biographies and Portraits of all the Presidents of the United
States.
New York and Chicago; Chapman Publishing Co., 1895

SMITH RING. Identified with the history of Newburgh throughout his entire
life, Mr. Ring was well known to the citizens of the place, and was especially
prominent in financial circles, having been connected with the Newburgh
Savings Bank for many years. The latter remained a short time. He secured the
position of Cashier of the Highland Bank of Newburgh in the fall of the same
year, and as such served until 1838. In the following year he became Cashier
of the Powell Bank of Newburgh, and held that responsible position until the
year 1864, when the concern went out of business. In 1858 he was appointed
Treasurer of the Newburgh Savings Bank, in which capacity he served until his
death. From 1858 to 1864 he was superintendent of the ferry running between
Newburgh and Fishkill.

When Mr. Ring first entered the Savings Bank the total deposits amounted to
only $28,000, but since then they have increased to millions. While not
seeking public office, he accepted the positions which his fellow-citizens
urged him to fill, believing him especially qualified for official service.
From 1854 until 1864 he was Treasurer of the village. He was one of the
members of the first Board of Education under the state law. From 1867 to 1881
he was Secretary of the New-burgh Gas Light Company. Among the other positions
which he held were those of Treasurer of the Cedar Hill Cemetery Association,
and President of the Newburgh & Cochecton and the Newburgh & New Windsor
Turnpike Companies. In the year 1823 he participated in the reception to
General La Fayette. In 1826 he was a member of a uniformed company of the
state militia, under Capt. John D. Phillips, and of this company he was the
last survivor.

The first wife of Mr. Ring was Miss Mary Ann Osborne, who died in 1833, the
year after their union. His second wife was Miss Catherine Speir, whom he
married in 1837, and who died in 1869. By the latter union there were three
children, A. Smith, Mrs: Anna R. Muir and Clara Belknap, all of whom are
deceased.

The subject of this notice was united in marriage, October 5, 1881, with Miss
Frances Ludlow, daughter of the late George W. Kerr. One child was born of the
union, a son named Thomas Ludlow. A great lover of sports, Mr. Ring was a
leader in that line in his younger years, and his love for fishing and skating
continued up to the time of his death, though he was unable to take
part of his life was spent in retirement from active business pursuits, though
he still found sufficient to occupy his attention in the management of his
large property interests. He was a man who held a high place in the regard of
his associates, and a sketch of his life will therefore be of interest to our
readers.

A. Smith Ring was born in Newburgh, March 17, 1838, his parents being Thomas
C. and Catherine (Speir) Ring. He was educated in this city, entering Newburgh
Free Academy, where he continued his studies until graduation. At an early age
he entered the Powell Bank, where his father was employed, and when the latter
became Treasurer of the Newburgh Savings Bank, the son went with him,
continuing an employe of the bank, and financially interested in its success,
until a few years before his death.

The father of our subject, Thomas C. Ring, who for more than a half-century
was one of New-burgh's most prominent citizens, was born in Cornwall, Orange
County, October 21, 1804. At the age of thirteen he left the parental roof,
and with no other capital than willing hands and a determined ambition started
out in life. His first position was that of clerk in the general store of
Oliver G. Burton, at West Point, where he remained until the death of that
gentleman three years later. He then returned home, and for several months
assisted his father in his brick-yard.

In 1821 Thomas C. came to Newburgh and secured a clerkship in the employ of
Matthias G. Miller, a general trader. The firm was subsequently changed to
Miller & Smith, and in addition to carrying on a general mercantile business,
they ran a sloop, known as the "Neptune," between Newburgh and New York. In
1822 this vessel capsized in the Highlands, and between twenty and thirty
persons were drowned. About 1825 Mr. Ring was appointed to a clerkship in the
Newburgh Bank, which he filled for two years. In 1831 he became a clerk on the
steamer "Albany," plying between New York and Albany, and in 1832 he was clerk
on the "New Philadelphia," running between the same ports. In 1833 he returned
to the "Albany," where he an active part in them. Politically he was a
Democrat, and his party had no champion more stanch than was he. He was a
member of the Ringgold Hose Company of Newburgh, and was Treasurer of the
Washington Headquarters Trustees, also of the Newburgh Skating Association. In
1875 he was elected City Treasurer, which position he held for two years. A
man of charitable disposition, much of his leisure time was devoted to
philanthrophic work, and he was particularly interested in the Board of
Associated Charities, being one of its managers. His death occurred at his
summer home, "Wood Lake," July 8, 1893. The remains were brought to Newburgh
for interment, and the funeral services were held at his residence, No. 196
Grand Street. He was a man of more than ordinary ability, and one whose
liberality of disposition and kindness will long be remembered by the
recipients of his bounty.