The first Ruffner Reunion to be held in "The Modern Era," was August 10, 1991.  It grew out of a long standing 'urge' between Budge Ruffner of Prescott, Arizona and George Ruffner of Inola, Oklahoma.  As descendants of Harrison and Catherine (White) Ruffner, early pioneers of Mason, Illinois, they had long talked about getting their cousins together on the 'old family home place.'  With the coordination of Gary and Judy Ruffner of Mason they gathered at the Mason Church for an evening of food and shared memories of early Ruffner History.  Budge and his daughter, Melissa had prepared a genealogy wall chart to explain the connections of the cousins in attendance.   Harrison was the great great grandson of Peter & Mary Ruffner of Luray, Virginia.  When a young boy of 10, Harrison lost his father Andrew to 'the fever' in Lancaster County, Ohio.  In 1843, the widow, Elizabeth (Leith) Ruffner and her children went west to Effingham County, Illinois, to claim the land Andrew had purchased.  In Mason, Harrison, married Catherine White in 1859 and reared eight children.  At the dinner, a cake was presented to Elisabeth and Budge Ruffner in honor of their anniversary.

The following day, everyone toured the county and posed for pictures on the Harrison Ruffner Homestead.  In attendance were:

Carl & Tammy (Ruffner) Lorenz, Urbana, IL
Shirley Lucas of ________, ___
John & Nancy (Ruffner) Milligan, Wood River, IL
Melissa (Ruffner) Moore, Prescott, AZ
Dan & Karen Witt Reynolds, ch Travis & Alex, Decatur, IL
Budge & Elisabeth Ruffner, Prescott, AZ
Clare Gene & Betty Ruffner, Mason, IL
Gary & Judy Ruffner, son Jacob, daus. Billie Jo, Jamie & baby Kylie, Mason. IL
George & Ruth Ruffner, Inola, OK
Glen & Kathleen Ruffner of Avon Park, FL
Jeffrey Ruffner, Urbana, IL
Jerry & Carol Ruffner, son Jesse, dau Courtney, Mason, IL
Les Ruffner, Decatur, IL
Melissa Ruffner, Prescott, AZ
Paul Dean & Shirley Ruffner, Mason, IL
Paul Stephen Ruffner, ch Michael, Joey & Barbara, Hettick, IL
Robert & Coral Ruffner, Decatur, IL
April Sturgis, dau Michelle, Decatur, IL
Rebecca Ruffner Tyler, dau Chelly, Prescott, AZ
Steve & Cathy (Ruffner) White, dau Sara,  of Mason, IL
Jan Williams, Urbana, IL
Hugh & Gladys (Ruffner) Wisher, Effingham, IL
Rhia Ruffner Witt, Decatur, IL
Jerry & Neva (Ruffner) Woodall of Sun City Center, FL
Rick & JoAnn York, dau Macci Jo & Michele, Edgewood, IL

 

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