Yavapai County AZ Archives Biographies.....Ruffner, George C. 1862 - living in 1896
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File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by:
Joy Fisher sdgenweb@yahoo.com March 5, 2005, 7:58 pm

Author: McFarland & Poole

p. 500

  GEORGE C. RUFFNER. The office of sheriff is one that has been filled by the
illustrious head of this government, and is a position that demands the exercise
of great circumspection, great personal intelligence and a general and apt
intelligence. The County of Yavapai is fortunate in its choice of its present
incumbent, George C. Ruffner, who adds to strict integrity the other qualities
essential to thorough discharge of the responsibilities connected with the
station. Mr. Ruffner is a native of Effingham County, Ill., where his birth
occurred November 16, 1862. His father, H. F. Ruffner, removed to Effingham at
an early day, and in the vicinity of that place was engaged in agricultural
pursuits, in which work his son, George C., assisted him until he had reached
the age of sixteen years, in the meantime receiving but limited educational
advantages. At the above-mentioned age he started out to fight the battle of
life for himself, and soon made his way to Stillwater, Minn., where he secured
employment as a teamster for a considerable period. The far West had always
possessed considerable attractions for him, and in the spring of 1882 he came to
Prescott, Arizona Territory, and became a buccora on a cow ranch in Yavapai
County, his time and attention being thus occupied for seven years. The two
succeeding years were spent in teaming, at the end of which time, his energy and
courage led to his appointment to the position of deputy sheriff of the county
under J. R. Lowry, in which capacity he served for two years. He won golden
opinions for himself in the discharge of his official duties, and these
eventually led to his election to the office of county sheriff in 1894 on the
Democratic ticket, there being but two Democratic nominees elected that year in
the county. He received a majority of four hundred and twenty-six votes, which
illustrates admirably the estimation in which he is held by the citizens of the
county. He has the reputation of possessing nerves of steel, the utmost coolness
in moments of danger and his name has become a terror to the outlaws and toughs
which infest the county. Law and order are his watchwords, and these he is
determined to preserve at all hazards, and in his official capacity has arrested
and been the means of bringing to justice some noted desperadoes and criminals.
In the gentler paths of life he has also manifested admirable traits of
character, and in his home is considerate and genial, a cordial host and an
amusing companion. In 1891 he was united in marriage with Miss M. Burchert, and
their pleasant home is well known for the hospitality which is extended to all.


Additional Comments:
From:

A Historical and Biographical Record of the Territory of Arizona
Published by
McFarland & Poole, Chicago, 1896


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