1999 Ruffner Family Association Reunion
Lancaster, Ohio

It would be hard to surpass the emotions that accompanied the 180 friends and families who gathered on the Ruffner-Rowles Farm as the closing event of another successful Ruffner Reunion.  For those who traveled from the twenty-two states represented, walked the hallowed ground where so many of our ancestors are buried and broke bread together in the shade of the stately brick house, said to us all - "we have Come Home Again."

Under the thorough and loving leadership of Chairman Roberta (Ruffner) Kirwin, the reunion began on June 4th with registration and hospitality at the headquarters Best Western Motel.  Our Hospitality Room was packed with happy cousins as they renewed old and made new friendships.  A beautiful exhibit on the Ohio Ruffners had been prepared by Donna (Ruffner) Gillilan & her sister Roberta.  The room was abuzz with Jack Childers running documents off his lap-top, Nancy (Ruffner) Shifflett selling books on the Ruffners of Page County, John & Jayne Dye selling books on the Ruffners of Fairfield County (For sales items see "Sales Page" in this issue)

Saturday dawned with the RFA Organizing Committee holding a breakfast meeting. It was to be a day of tours with buses taking us to see the Mary Ruffner Bridge, The Harman House with an existing portion of the original Zane's Trace, Pleasant Hill U.M. Church, Pleasant Run Baptist Church, Pleasant Run Cemetery, the Ruffner-Stevenson Cemetery and Caleb Ruffner's home were among the highlights.

That evening before the banquet there was a reception and surprise 95th Birthday celebration for Virginia Rigg from Denver. Cousin Virginia has taught piano for over 80 years and one of her former pupils, David Schrader of Chicago, was there to serenade her playing a Mozart Sonata on his Viennese Piano.  She shared her birthday party with Edith Johnson. (see special mention.)

We were honored with a grace delivered by Sam McNeely.  Following a delightful meal Emcee, Rick Gillilan introduced Bob Sheets for some business of the Association.  Before a backdrop of an 1849 historic American Garrison Flag that once flew over the Presidio of San Francisco during the Gold Rush of '49, Bob introduced Sam McNeely as our first elected president under the new Charter signed that day officially incorporating the Ruffner Family Association.  Presentations were made for those elected as Director's Emeritus: to Doris (Laver) Ruffner and posthumously to Olive (Taylor) Ruffner; co-editors of the respected Peter Ruffner and His Descendants and posthumously to Lester "Budge" Ruffner who began the modern series of Ruffner Reunions in 1991.  On behalf of the Association, Bob presented Certificates of Accommodation and Appreciation to Bob & Marge Rowles for their Restoration and Preservation of the Ruffner-Rowles Farm and the Ruffner-Friend Cemetery all on the historic Emanuel Ruffner Homestead in Fairfield County; and to Jim and Judi McNeely for their recent purchase of the Peter & Mary (Steinman) Ruffner Homestead in Luray, Virginia in order to return it to Ruffner ownership after 159 years.

A special gift from the Association was presented to Roberta (Ruffner) Kirwin for her outstanding chairmanship of the 1999 Reunion.  The framed enlarged photograph of the Ruffner-Rowles Farm was taken by Joan Reid and represents the gratitude of her appreciative cousins.   

Our Chairman then introduced our two honored guests at the banquet; the granddaughters of Booker T. Washington, Edith Washington Johnson and Margaret Washington Clifford.  Edith, whose 75th Birthday we had just celebrated lives in Wilberforce, Ohio and Margaret lives in Atlanta.  They not only graced us with their presence but shared with us memories of their grandfather who as an eleven year old worked in the home of Gen. Lewis & Viola Ruffner in Malden, West Virginia.  Having been born into slavery in Virginia, his family took him to the Kanawha Valley following the end of the Civil War and their emancipation.  In his autobiography, "Up From Slavery" he gives great credit to Viola Ruffner for instilling in him the rewards of hard work, the value of good books and the pursuit of learning.  A standing ovation welcomed these two beautiful ladies into the Ruffner Family Circle.  Earnest Ruffner of Cincinnati presented to each of them a framed copy of a letter written by
Booker to Viola.  Bob thanked cousin Joe Ruffner for being the catalyst in bringing the Washington sisters to us.  A call was made to plan in the future a joint reunion between the Washington Family and the Ruffner Family to be at the esteemed Tuskegee University. 

Emcee Gillilan introduced our banquet featured presentations:  Gregg Pittenger who in his Civil War garb told us of the "Great Locomotive Chase" and the involvement of Ruffner ancestor Marion Ross who lost his life in that daring attempt to commandeer the Confederate Locomotive "The General."  As a Sergeant Major in the Ohio Infantry he joined Andrew's Raiders whose attempt was foiled  at Big Shanty, Georgia and on June 16, 1862, Ross and his comrades were hanged.  He was the son of Levi Ross & Mary Ruffner.  She was the daughter of Benjamin II and Anna Coffman of Fairfield County.  

The evening concluded with an exciting and informative tour to the Yukon Gold Rush in 1897 and the exploits of Julius Ruffner as told in a slide show by cousin Melissa Ruffner of Prescott, Arizona.  She had made the trip to Atlin, British Columbia in 1998 to learn more about the history of the last great gold rush and the role Julius played in it.  Noted lecturer and historian, Melissa learned her art from her literary and yarn-master father, the late Budge Ruffner.  Julius was a great grandson of Joseph, Son of Peter & Mary (Steinman) Ruffner.

Sunday, June 6th we all gathered at the Ruffner-Friend Burial Ground on Coonpath Road near West Rushville. In a scene that repeated what may have been the lot of our ancestors so many times before, we walked up the little hill from the Ruffner-Rowles farm to honor the memory of those buried there.  In this hallowed ground where the first burial of a Ruffner took place in "The Great North West Territory," we dedicated a new monument and historical marker.  Unveiling the boulder and bronze plaque was our youngest Ruffner in attendance, two year old Matthew son of Michael Ruffner & Margaret Alessi of Arlington, Virginia and grand son of James & Trenna Ruffner.  Matthew's fifth great grandfather is Emanuel Ruffner buried in the cemetery forty-two years after his son Henry was buried there at the age of 17.

Following the traditional ceremony we walked back across the road to the Farm for food and fellowship.  Roberta  thanked everyone who helped her on the reunion and especially Marge & Bob Rowles for hosting such a large gathering and opening all the historic structures for their cousins to enjoy.  Before the food tent was opened many took the walking tour of the farm with an informative guide put together by Barbara Rowles.  Highlight was the ancient Conestoga Wagon that has been moved from the barn to the picnic area.  This historic wagon helped move the family from Virginia in 1805 and transported their goods to the eastern markets.  Another beautifully restored building was the cabin built by Emanuel Ruffner as his second home.  Following the eating ceremony the annual Ruffner Auction took place under the big elm trees with Melissa Ruffner managing and Richard Troup auctioning.  Among items purchased were copies of the Peter Ruffner Books, a painting of the
Ruffner-Rowles Farm, photographs, plants, documents, books authored by Ruffners and tee shirts.  The picnic and reunion drew to a close with a group photograph on the hill beside the Conestoga Wagon.  As the wagon was returned to the Great Barn we all headed our cars down the road to Lancaster and the end of another great family reunion.  As the tent came down you could hear the cry "See you in two years in Luray."

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