Ring, Andrew 1861-1927

RING, HAWK

Posted By: Paul Van Dyke-volunteer
Date: 6/13/2021 at 20:33:32

Source: Hawarden Independent (4-28-1927)

Born: April 10, 1861
Died: April 27, 1927

DEATH CLAIMS ANDREW RING--PROMINENT HAWARDEN BANKER DIED WEDNESDAY--DEATH FOLLOWS OF THREE WEEKS FROM PNEUMONIA--FUNERAL WILL BE HELD FRIDAY

Andrew Ring, president of the Hawarden State Bank, a pioneer resident of Union County, South Dakota, and for thirty-five years actively identified with the business, social and civic life of this community, passed away about 7 o’clock Wednesday morning at his home in this city following an illness of about three weeks from pneumonia.

During the course of his illness his life hung in the balance on several occasions but each time he rallied and during the few days preceding his death he seemed to be making satisfactory progress. Tuesday evening he appeared to be in fine spirits, but during the early hours of Wednesday morning he suffered a sudden relapse and death claimed him a few hours later. At. The time Mr. Ring was taken on ill, Mrs. Ring had been suffering with pneumonia for a week or two and only the past few days has she been able to sit up at all. News of Mr. Ring’s death came as a distinct shock to the entire community and there is universal sorrow expressed at his passing.

Funeral services will be held at the home at 2:30 o’clock Friday afternoon in charge of Dr. G.T. Notson of Sioux City and Reverend Chas. E. Tower, pastor of the Associated Churches. Interment will be made in Grace Hill Cemetery.

Andrew Ring was a native of Vretstorp, Sweden, where he was born April 10, 1861. Thus he was but a few days past 66 years of age. As a small boy he came with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Peter King to America in 1869 and the family immediately located on a farm in Union County near Big Springs. His early education was obtained in the rural schools of Union County and he began his business and professional career as a teacher in the rural schools of the county. After teaching a few years he went to Elk Point where he filled the position of assistant in the office of the register of deeds. Later he was elected superintendent of schools in Union County and after retiring from this position became editor of the Elk Point Courier, which newspaper he published for a time. He came to Hawarden on April 1, 1892, as assistant cashier of the Northwestern Bank of Hawarden, at that time largely owned by G.W. Pitts of Alton. After filling this position for several years he again moved to Elk Point where he operated an abstract office for about two years. Returning to Hawarden again about 1899 he purchased an interest in the bank and became cashier and shortly thereafter the bank’s name was changed to the Hawarden State Bank and Mr. Ring has continued in active charge of the institution until the present, serving as cashier until 1919 since which time he has been president of the bank.

Mr. Ring was united in marriage with Miss Eleanor M. Hawk at Wilkesville, Ohio, July 31, 1890, and besides his widow is survived by one daughter, Mrs. A.B. Notson of Tyler, Minnesota, who has been here several weeks assisting in the care of her parents. He also leaves one grandson, Millard Trexell, three brothers, John Ring of San Jose, California and Henry Ring of Nortonville, Kansas and two sisters, Mrs. Mary Jeffries of Los Angeles, California, and Mrs. Ellen Dougherty of Denver, Colorado, besides a host of sorrowing friends.

Andrew Ring was a man of most miracle and lovable qualities. Coming to America in his boyhood he was fired with ambition to succeed in this land of opportunities and by diligent effort, exhaustive study and tireless energy he achieved a place in the life of this community where he commanded the confidence and esteem of our citizens to theextent that but a few men enjoy. As a banker he inspired the utmost confidence of his patrons who went to him freely with their business problems, large or small, with the assurance that they would received kindly counsel advice. He valued his friends no less in turn they valued his friendship. As a figure of the community he could always be counted upon to function thoroughly and adequately in every task which he undertook to perform. He believed that things worth doing well thoroughness was one of the marked characteristics of his life. His home was ideal and companionship which enjoyed with the members of his family was a constant example of the road to happiness. The place which he carved for himself in the community cannot be easily filled. His life was a distinct community asset and his death creates an immediate community liability which time alone can rectify.