My Genealogy Hound

R. R. Ruff, M. D. During a professional career of over twenty-three years, Dr. Ruff has become a successful physician, and justly deserves the eulogisms bestowed upon him by his professional brethren. He was born on the 25th of April, 1831, and his youth was spent in assisting in the duties of the farm, and in attending the common subscription schools, where he acquired a fair education, but which he has since greatly improved by much study and contact with the world. Upon reaching the age of twenty-one years he commenced farming, which employment received his attention until the breaking out of the Rebellion, when he abandoned the plow and donned the martial trappings of war, serving in the capacity of recruiting officer for some time. He was never identified with the regular army, but was in a number of severe engagements and was captured at Huntingdon, Tenn., being paroled immediately thereafter. He returned home with the intention of remaining, but owing to the persecutions to which he was subjected he again began recruiting men, and served until the final surrender. After taking the oath of allegiance he returned home, but came soon after to Pocahontas, Ark., and while being employed here he energetically pursued the study of medicine during leisure moments, and in 1866, moved to Pittman, where he entered on the practice of his profession, continuing there with success until 1887. In connection with this he commenced merchandising in 1880, and also managed his three farms, of which 225 acres were under cultivation. His annual sales amount to some $10,000, and he sells on time, giving a credit of from six to eight months, but buys for cash. In 1851, Laura Eason, of Tennessee, became his wife, and their marriage resulted in the birth of five children, Leota G., the wife of J. P. Shemwell, being the only one living; three died in infancy, and one at the age of fifteen years. Mrs. Ruff departed this life in 1872, having been a consistent member of the Methodist Episcopal Church for a number of years. Dr. Ruff took for his second wife Miss Amanda W. Legate, and by her has one child, born July 15, 1873, named Horace E. The Doctor and this wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and he is a Democrat and a member of the A. F. & A. M. His parents, John and Chloe (Eason) Ruff, were born in North Carolina, and in 1828 emigrated to Carroll County, Tenn., where he was engaged in farming, and became the owner of a number of negroes. He was an old line Whig and died in October, 1855, at the advanced age of eighty-four years, respected and esteemed by all who knew him. He was married three times, his first wife being a Miss Hodge, by whom he had six or seven children, four sons living to be grown. His second union was with Miss Eason, which took place about 1821, in North Carolina. The following are the names of their children: James G., a physician of this county; S. D., who is deceased, his family being residents of Southeast Missouri; W. H., who is also dead, his family being residents of Forest City, Ark.; Dr. R. R., and Jackey E., the deceased wife of George M. Drew. The mother of these children passed to her long home in 1852, at the age of fifty-five years, and Mr. Ruff wedded his third wife, Martha Eason, in August, 1855, her death occurring in January, 1856.