Brief History of the Illinois Ruffners
Around 1841, two cousins, Andrew Harrison Ruffner and Walter Newman Ruffner left Ohio bound for Illinois in search of property to purchase. Most likely, Andrew and Walter were accompanied by David Leith, the brother of Andrew’s wife Elizabeth.
Upon reaching Illinois, Walter purchased property in Cumberland County near present day Greenup. There he established a stagecoach stop and Inn on the Cumberland Road (or National Road). Andrew and David Leith continued on about thirty-five miles southwest to Effingham County where they purchased land near present day Mason. Here David resumed his occupation as a farmer.
After making his purchase of land, Andrew returned to Ohio to retrieve his family, which included his wife Elizabeth and their five children; Harrison, Morris Andrew, Luke, Margaret and Dorothy. But shortly after returning to Ohio, Andrew was stricken with the dreaded disease cholera and died January 17, 1842. A year later, Elizabeth and her children moved to Illinois to settle on the land Andrew had purchased.
Emanuel Ruffner, Jr. was another participant in the migration of Ruffner family members to IL, and he probably interacted with the others, but the precise timing of his appearance in IL is uncertain. Records show Emanuel, Jr. purchased land in Effingham County on December 7, 1848, and old documents also show his land adjoined the land owned by Andrew Ruffner (in 1848 owned by Elizabeth, Andrew’s widow.). So, 1848 is the earliest documented mention of Emanuel, Jr. in IL. This is probably the correct year of his migration since his father, Emanuel, had died in OH early in 1848. The 1850 census for Effingham County shows Emanuel Ruffner (Jr.), age 51; occupation – blacksmith; wife – Barbara, age 46; three sons – Elijah age 24, Simon age 22, Aaron age 20; a daughter – Elizabeth age 18. The census information indicates the parents were born in Virginia and all the children were born in Ohio. Emanuel, Jr. died in 1852 and his wife Barbara died in 1868.
Just outside the city limits of Mason, IL, is a small family burial site known as the Ruffner Cemetery. Emanuel Ruffner, Jr. and the members of his family are buried there along with some members of the Newman family, the family into which Emanuel’s daughter Elizabeth married.
This very brief account leads to several questions the present day descendants are attempting to answer about these early IL Ruffners, who represented at least 2 branches of the Ruffner family [Benjamin and Emanuel – see: The Early Generations].
· Who are and where are the descendants of Emanuel Ruffner, Jr.?
· Where does the branch of Benjamin’s descendants, which was recently discovered in Shelby County, IL, fit in the family tree?
· Are there documented stories about the interactions between these early families?
·
What roles did these ancestors and their descendants play in the
development of their communities and our nation?
It, also, points to the present gatherings of descendants of these pioneers. For information about the IL Ruffner Reunions, or to share information which answers any of the above questions, contact:
IL
Ruffner Reunions
c/o 3500 North 825th Street
Mason, IL 62443
[The Early Generations has information on the ancestors of the persons mentioned above].
Here is a picture of Harrison N. Ruffner and his family. Harrison N. was a son of above-mentioned Andrew Harrison Ruffner.
Click on the picture for larger view
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2000 IL Ruffner Reunion
During the RFA’s Board of Directors meeting at Luray, VA in June of 2000, it was suggested by cousin Dorotha Russell [descendant of Reuben, see: The Early Generations] to have a reunion for IL Ruffners. Her suggestion was for them to get better acquainted and explore their ancestral relationships. August 27th was selected with the site being the Tuscola City Park, which was a central location since quite a few Ruffners from Cumberland and Effingham counties had migrated to north central IL.
Dorotha, who had recently met Harold Ruffner, patriarch of the Cumberland County Ruffners, took the lead in contacting the Cumberland County branch, and Gary Ruffner of Mason, IL contacted the persons in Effingham County. The wheels were set in motion for the first modern-era IL Ruffner Reunion.
Interestingly, it is reported that many years ago the Cumberland County branch used to have an annual reunion. During that time, the Effingham and Cumberland County families knew the other existed, but none had ever met anyone from the other branch. On one occasion, Edward Ruffner of Effingham County, the great-grandfather of Gary Ruffner, received an invitation to attend the Cumberland County reunion. Accepting the invitation, he attended the reunion. But, upon his return, he surmised there was no family relationship because all the Cumberland County Ruffners were Republicans while he and the other Effingham County Ruffners were Democrats. Years later, research revealed a different story. For, disregarding any political ties, all were identified as descendants of Benjamin Ruffner [for information about Benjamin, see: The Early Generations].
The morning of August 27th dawned very cloudy and threatened to put a damper on the day’s activities. But, after everyone arrived and brief introductions were made, the clouds dispersed and the sun shown down on a family reunited.
There was no formal program planned. So, after the noontime potluck meal, everyone started mingling with the other attendees. Some surveyed the displays of family memorabilia while others researched their family roots by reading the materials showing the family’s genealogy and history. But, most importantly, it was a time for renewing the bond of kinship which existed more than a century ago between our migratory ancestors - the cousins, Andrew and Walter.
The day passed much too quickly and the informal gathering adjourned without setting a firm date for a 2001 reunion, although many in attendance suggested we meet again the following weekend. Every one of the 43 attendees had enjoyed and wanted to repeat the wonderful experience of being a family.
Click on the pictures for larger view
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