The Highland Township Historical Society
Highland, Oakland County, Michigan

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RUGGLES, LORENZO D.

Portrait and Biographical Album of Oakland County, Michigan, Chapman Bros. (1891), pp. 708, 711

LORENZO D. RUGGLES.  This worthy citizen of Highland Township is carrying on farm work on section 33, where he owns one hundred acres of land, ninety-five of which is under cultivation.  By his own efforts, thirty acres of the tract was cleared and placed in condition for tillage, and under his supervision the house and barns were built and other arrangements made for the comfort and convenience of the occupants.  A glance over the tract would lead to the belief that Mr. Ruggles understands his business well, and such is found to be the case.  He was reared amid the surroundings of farm life and his active brain assimilated all the information possible regarding his father's calling, together with a large store of other knowledge which he has found useful.

The Ruggles family was represented in Connecticut three generations ago, but the grandfather of our subject removed from that State to New York.  In Brown County Noble Ruggles, the direct progenitor of Lorenzo D., was born and lived until 1834, when he came to this State.  He bought one hundred and sixty acres of land, to which he brought his family the ensuing year.  He was married in his native county to Anna Merchant, a native of Connecticut, and their family comprised the following named sons and daughters: Mary, John, Merchant, Lorenzo D., Amanda, Almon, Susan, Lorena and Oscar.  The last named died in Andersonville prison, and John and Merchant also served in the Union army.  Their father had been a musician in the War of 1812.   Noble Ruggles was always engaged in farming, and in his native State he also carried on the lumber trade.  He and his wife belonged to the Baptist Church.

Our subject was a lad of seven years when he came to this State and with the exception of a few years he has continued to make his home in Highland Township.   He was born in Brown County, N. Y., January 3, 1829.  During his boyhood and youth he resided with his parents, attending school as did other lads until he was old enough to teach, and then devoting the winters to pedagogical work and the summers to further study, until he was of age.  Altogether he taught fourteen terms of school, one year having charge of the High School at Milford.  In 1856 he engaged in the mercantile business and for three years carried on a general store in Milford.  In 1863 he bought the farm he now occupies and he has since devoted his time to agricultural work.  The lady who presides over Mr. Ruggles' home became his wife in Hamlin, N. Y., in 1858.  She bore the maiden name of Lydia A. Cary, and is a daughter of Richard and Polly (Sutton) Cary, who were natives of the Empire State.  Mr. Cary always lived in New York and died there in 1877.  His widow is still living in that State and is now seventy-two years old.

Mr. and Mrs. Ruggles are the parents of four sons, named respectively Frank (deceased), Fred [Begin Page 709 After Unrelated Portrait] C., Charles E. and Harry O.   Fred was married December 24, 1890, to Annabel McCall, daughter of Robert and Mary (Ladson) McCall; Fred has taught school for six years and also paid considerable attention to farming; he is now in Sanilac County, engaged in the latter occupation.  Charles E. was married February 12, 1890, to May Baily, daughter of Adelbert and Elizabeth (Kemp) Baily, and a native of this State.

The first vote cast by Mr. Ruggles was for Zachary Taylor, and since the organization of the Republican party he has been identified therewith.  His intelligence, energy and public spirit have been recognized by his election to several offices of local importance.  He was School Inspector for a number of years and has been Treasurer and Clerk in Highland Township, and in Milford was Justice of the Peace.  He is a member of the Free Will Baptist Church, and his wife belongs to the Methodist Episcopal denomination.  Both endeavor to order their lives aright and, while giving their first thought to their own family, to do unto others as they wish others to do unto them.

 

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