Sumner County Biographies
"Portrait and Biographical Album of Sumner County"
Chapman Bros., Chicago, 1890
JOHN F. RUGGLES. This gentleman is one
of those prosperous farmers of the county,
who settled within its limits at an early period in its history, and who have witnessed
the development of its agricultural and business interests, and the change from wild land which was
the haunt of buffalo, bear, deer, and other wild
animals, to well-kept and productive farm lands dotted with peaceful herds.
Mr. Ruggles was born in Lewis County, Ky., on
New Year's Day, 1850, and is a son of Moses and
Eliza (Roberts) Ruggles, the former of whom was
of New England ancestry, and born in the same
county in which his son, our subject, first saw the
light. The mother was born in Fleming County,
Ky., and was a daughter of one Samuel Roberts.
The paternal grandparents of our subject were
Thomas and Louisa (Bourse) Ruggles, both of
whom were born in New England, the grandfather
being of English ancestry. They were among the
early settlers of Lewis County, Ky., where Thomas
Ruggles took up a tract of timber land, upon which
he cleared a considerable acreage, changing the
wilderness to a fertile farm. There the father of our
subject was born in April, 1816, and grew to maturity, his early life being passed before railroads
were built in the Blue Grass State, and when Richmond, Va., was the market for hogs and cattle, to
which the people drove them from farms far distant. Being reared to agricultural pursuits, Moses
Ruggles, upon attaining to manhood, bought some
improved land a mile distant from his father's
homestead, and there took up his employment, and
is still residing on the same place. He has lived to
see that section develop into a well-settled and
wealthy country, and now finds a much nearer market than Richmond for all that he desires to buy or
sell. His wife, the mother of our subject, departed
this life about the year 1854, when he of whom
we write was scarcely more than a babe.
John F. Ruggles passed his boyhood and youth
in his native county, leaving the parental roof at
the age of eighteen years, and going to DeWitt
County, Ill., where he began life for himself by
working on a farm. He then rented land and carried on agricultural pursuits there until 1875. The
previous year he had visited this section of country and purchased land in Wellington Township, to
which, at the date mentioned, he came as a settler.
Wichita was the nearest railroad station, whence he
traveled to this county by stage. The only improvement upon the place which he had purchased
was a small dwelling, and all the conveniences
which now mark the place have been accomplished
by him. He is the fortunate possessor of a half section of land which is all enclosed, and which is improved for general farming or used as pasture land.
The industry and practical ability of Mr. Ruggles are
plainly indicated by the appearance of everything
about the estate, and as one who has assisted in the
development of the county, and been for a number
of years one of its reliable citizens, he is entitled
to and receives the respect of his fellow-men.
The marriage of Mr. Ruggles was celebrated in
1871, the bride being Miss Armenia, daughter of
Samuel and Harriet (Grovsy) Wilson, who was
born in Lewis County, Ky., and who has been a
faithful and loving wife and mother since the date
of their union. Seven children have come to
brighten their fireside. They are named, respectively: Hattie L., Dollie J.,
Annie L., Eliza J., Katie L., and Samuel W. and Vadie L., twins.
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This website created Oct. 29, 2011 by Sheryl McClure.
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