Obituary of James Davis RUDDELL, Crawford County, Illinois This file was contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by: Elayne This obit appeared in a Crawford County Newspaper, Date Unknown James Davis Ruddell, the well known druggist die at his home on South Cross Street at 5 am Saturday, April 22, 1899 after six days illness of pleuro-pneumonia and what makes his death all the sadder for the bereaved family is that Mrs. Ruddell's death occurred on April 27th, last year. Mr. Ruddell was the son of George and Martha NEAL Ruddell and was born in Grant County, KY on March 15, 1849. With his parents in 1853 he moved to Crawford County, ILL. He attended the common schools of the county until 1868, when he with his brother Zalmon, entered Union Christian College at Merom, Ind. After spending four years in that school, he and his brother, Zalmon entered the drug business at Merom, and after five years of successful business at this place they moved to Robinson where they continued in the same business until 1896 when they also engaged in the furniture, hardware, and undertaking business. On account of failing health this partnership was dissolved and after an interim of about six years, during which Mr. Ruddell was at Danville for a while and later in the grocery business in Robinson, he again entered the drug business in 1896 in which he continued until his death. He was married to Miss Ettie UPDIKE, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Wm. Updike on Nov 24, 1881. To this union three children were born, viz: Theo, Harry, and Florence, all of whom survive, bereft of the tender ministrations of both father and mother. While a student at Merom, Mr. Ruddell united with the Christian or New Light Church at that place. He afterwords united with the M.E. Church of this city, remaining a member until his death. He was a chartermember of Rombinson Camp No. 463, Modern Woodmen of Ameerica in which he carried a polich of $2,000. By his death Robinson loses a successful business man and one of its best citizens. He was a kind husband and loving father. Until death claimed Mrs. Ruddell no happier home could be found in Robinson. He idolized his devoted companion and never ceased to mourn her untimely death. Few knew how keenly he felt his loss or how eagerly he looked forward to a happy reunion on the other shore. The funeral services were held at the Methodist Church Sunday afternoon conducted by Rev. C.A. Beckett after which interment occurred in the city cemetery. The services were under the auspices of Robinson Camp. Neighbors were present from neighboring camps and over 150 Woodsmen were in line. (Transcriber's note daughters Theodocia and Florence were raise by their Aunt Maude Updike Short and Uncle Wilbur SHORT. Son Harry was raised by his Grandfather William Updike and Uncle Walter William Updike and their wives. The last known location of Theodocia, Florence, and Harry Ruddell was Los Gatos, Santa Clara County, CA. in 1920. If anyone knowns what became of them after that, or is descended from them, please contact me. We are related through the Updikes) ***************************************************************** USGENWEB NOTICE: In keeping with our policy of providing free information on the Internet, data may be used by non-commercial entities, as long as this message remains on all copied material. These electronic pages may NOT be reproducd in any format for profit or for presentation by other persons or organizations. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material for purposes other than stated above must obtain the written consent of the file contributor. ***************************************************************** Contributed by: Elayne