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William J. RUARK, a son of William and Margaret (WILLIAMS) RUARK, was born in Lawrence County, Mo., on January 5, 1844. The father was born in Worcester County, Md., and married in that county and State Priscilla JOHNSON; after her death he immigrated to Indiana. While here he married Margaret Williams, and they afterward, in the fall of 1840, came to Lawrence County, Mo., where the subject of this sketch was born. After eleven years he removed to the farm and valley which now bears his name. His wife was born in his native county, in Maryland, and removed to Indiana prior to her marriage. They became the parents of eleven children, seven of whom are living, viz.: Martha E. (Mrs. Samuel LILES, of Lawrence County), Cynthia A. (Mrs. George L. DOBBS, of Texas), William Judson, Margaret A. (wife of George W. GUM, of Lawrence County), Francis M., Oliver W. and Elmer G. Those deceased are Drucilla, Miranda, John and Mary L. William J. Ruark remained with his father, and assisted with the farm work until the breaking out of the Civil War, when he enlisted in Company A, Mountain Rangers, afterward known as Missouri State Militia Cavalry. After two months he was transferred to Company C, Fourteenth Missouri Volunteer Cavalry, which, after about ten months, was consolidated with the Fourth Missouri State Militia Volunteers, and he was assigned to Company L, with which he served until the close of the war. Enlisting as a private, he was made sergeant toward the close of the war. Among many engagements in which he participated, the most important are Prairie Grove, Newtonia, Big Blue, Mine Creek, Jefferson City, California Station, and Independence, and was with Capt. TONEY's force on Spring River Prairie, Lawrence Co., Mo. He was also detailed as assistant clerk in the provost-marshal's office at Jefferson City, Mo., and afterward as company clerk. He was discharged at Warrensburg, Mo.; returned home and engaged in farming and teaming until the following winter, when he entered school at Mount Vernon, Mo. Before the Rebellion he had limited advantages for securing an education, but he afterward fitted himself for teaching. After attending school at Mount Vernon for ten months, he taught school for awhile, after which he entered a graded school at Ash Grove, and attended three months. He again engaged in teaching, and continued until four years ago, since which time he has devoted his time to agricultural pursuits. He has a fine farm of 100 acres in Turnback Bottoms, of which seventy acres are under a high state of cultivation. September 24, 1871, he married Margaret A. TERREL, a daughter of Andrew TERREL, and by her has four children: Talitha C., Katie, William E. and Lillie May, deceased. For three years Mr. Ruark served as deputy surveyor under J. W. BLACK, and he still does some surveying. In 1887 he was elected county school commissioner over three competitors, and received a majority of 537 votes, thus illustrating his popularity. Both he and wife are earnest Christians, and members of the Missionary Baptist Church. Politically he is a stanch Republican, and a member of the G. A. R.
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