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Below is a family biography included in Biographical and Portrait Cyclopedia of Chautauqua County, New York published by John M. Gresham & Co. in 1891.  These biographies are valuable for genealogy research in discovering missing ancestors or filling in the details of a family tree. Family biographies often include far more information than can be found in a census record or obituary.  Details will vary with each biography but will often include the date and place of birth, parent names including mothers' maiden name, name of wife including maiden name, her parents' names, name of children (including spouses if married), former places of residence, occupation details, military service, church and social organization affiliations, and more.  There are often ancestry details included that cannot be found in any other type of genealogical record.

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CORYDON A. RUGG, a citizen of Jamestown and assistant superintendent of the knitting mills of A. F. Kent & Co., is a son of Dr. Corydon C. and Fidelia (Goodell) Rugg, and was born at Irving, Chautauqua county, New York, April 1, 1853. The Ruggs point to Scotland as the land of their origin where their ancestors were known as the “Strong Men of Scotland.” Isaac Rugg, the great-grandfather of the subject of this sketch, was born near Bloody Point, in Vermont, served in the Revolutionary war and died in his native State at Ruggtown, which was named in honor of his family. He was a Methodist and was married three times. His first wife was Katie Gates, who bore him one child, Jonathan (grandfather), and after her death he wedded Emma Matoon, who died and left two children, John and Aurelia. His third wife was Abigail Skinner, by whom he had ten children. Johnathan Rugg (grandfather) was born at the head of Bloody Point, on Lake George and after a residence of some years in Genesee county, he removed, in 1818, to what is known as the Rugg settlement near Perrysburg, Cattaraugus county, where he was a large landholder. He was a farmer and a Democrat and served in the war of 1812 during which he distinguished himself at the battle of Sackett’s Harbor. He married Maria Tousey and reared a family of four sons and two daughters: Carlos A., of Silver Creek, a veterinary surgeon in the Union Army; Milton V., was one of the California forty-niners and died in 1853; Dr. Jonathan G., of Gowanda, N. Y.; Mariette, wife of Dr. C. G. Cowell, of Meadville, Pa., who is a graduate of Hahnneman Medical college, of Chicago; Dr. Corydon C., died January 14, 1891 and Ann M., who died August 20, 1888. Dr. Corydon C. Rugg (father) was born at Ruggtown, Cattaraugus county. May 3, 1822. At twenty years of age he commenced the study of medicine under the Thompson who founded the Thompsonian Eclectic system of Medicine and was graduated in 1848, from the Cincinnati Medical College. He practiced at Gowanda in his native county for twenty-five years and then in Rutland, Vermont, for four years, after which he came, in 1877, to Jamestown where he has practiced ever since. He was surgeon of 154th regiment, N. Y. Vols., was taken prisoner at Gettysburg and after his release served at Lookout Mountain and under Sherman in his march to the sea. Dr. Rugg married Fidelia Goodell and to their union have been born two sons and four daughters: Adella D., married John F. Clark, a real estate dealer of Detroit, Michigan; Loella V., wife of Orris F. Johnston; Corydon A.; Estella F., wife of Walter D. Russell, formerly of New York City; Clayton A., who married Catherine M. O. Donnell and is engaged in the clothing business; and Minnie M., wife of Fred. Jay Shearman, son of Rufus Shearman of Jamestown.

Corydon Rugg attended Oneida College and upon completing his course read medicine for some time with his father. He then entered Hall’s worsted mill where he remained for ten years and served successively as shipping clerk, inspector of cloth, and travelling salesman. During the next two years he was in the Reynolds’ knitting mill and upon the mill shutting down he practiced medicine with his father for a short time. On September 1, 18 — , he became assistant superintendent of the knitting mills of A. F. Kent & Co., which position he still holds. He is a Democrat in politics. Mr. Rugg well understands every part of the business in which he is now engaged and discharges efficiently the duties of his important position.

On April 30, 1887, he united in marriage with Jennie M. Merrit, daughter of Benjamin G. Merrit, of Vermont. Their union has been blessed with one son and one daughter: Louise, and Corydon Harrold.

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This family biography is one of 658 biographies included in Biographical and Portrait Cyclopedia of Chautauqua County, New York published in 1891. 

View additional Chautauqua County, New York family biographies here: Chautauqua County, New York Biographies

View a map of 1897 Chautauqua County, New York here: Chautauqua County, New York Map

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