Daniel Ringo


Daniel Ringo was a United States District Judge of the United States District Court for the District of Arkansas, the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Arkansas and the United States District Court for the Western District of Arkansas.

Education and career

Born on October 27, 1803, in Cross Plains, Kentucky, Ringo read law in 1830. He entered private practice in Little Rock, Arkansas Territory from 1830 to 1836. He was Chief Justice of the Arkansas Supreme Court from 1836 to 1844.

Federal judicial service

Ringo received a recess appointment from President Zachary Taylor on November 5, 1849, to a seat on the United States District Court for the District of Arkansas vacated by Judge Benjamin Johnson. He was nominated to the same position by President Taylor on December 21, 1849. He was confirmed by the United States Senate on June 10, 1850, and received his commission the same day. Ringo was reassigned by operation of law to the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Arkansas and the United States District Court for the Western District of Arkansas on March 3, 1851, to a new joint seat authorized by 9 Stat. 594. His service terminated on May 6, 1861, due to his resignation.

Later career and death

Following his resignation from the federal bench, Ringo served as a Judge of the Confederate District Court for the Districts of Arkansas from 1862 to 1863. He resumed private practice in Little Rock from 1865 to 1873. He died on September 3, 1873, in Little Rock. He was interred in Mount Holly Cemetery in Little Rock.