Biographical Sketch of William D. Ruddell - Andrew County, Missouri

>From "History of Missouri, Andrew & DeKalb County" Published 1888

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Transcribed by: Penny Harrell (Incog3678@aol.com)

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William D. Ruddell, one of the leading citizens of Andrew County, MO.,
and at present deputy circuit clerk, was born in Adams County, IL., on
February 21, 1834, and is the son of John M. and Martha A. (Dunlap)
Ruddell.  John, the father, was born in Kentucky in 1812, and is the 
son of Stephen Ruddell, a native of Virginia.  The grandfather removed
to Kentucky with his parents, who were among the pioneers of that 
State.  In 1817 he removed to Missouri, and in 1829 to Illinois.  John
Ruddell is a successful farmer, and a prominent man in Adams County,
IL.  He has served as a member of the county court, and also represented
his county in the Illinois Legislature.  Martha, the mother, was born in
Kentucky in 1813, and is the daughter of John Dunlap, a native of South
Carolina, who immigrated at an early day to the State of Kentucky.  To
the parents eleven children were born, of whom William D. is the eldest.
He was reared on a farm, and educated in the common schools.  In 1857 
he began life for himself as a farmer in Illinois, at which he continued
till 1862, when he assisted in raising a company for the Seventy-eighth
United States Regiment of Illinois Infantry, of which he was elected
first lieutenant.  He continued throughout the war with his regiment,
serving as adjutant, with the rank of lieutenant for six months in 1863,
and in January, 1864 was promoted to captain; he was severly wounded at
the seige of Atlanta, GA.  He was mustered out of service on June 7, 1865
at Washington City.  Returning to Adams County, IL., he resumed farming,
at which occupation he continued until 1876, when he removed to Andrew
County, MO., and purchased a farm in Clay Township.  In 1884 he was
elected treasurer of Andrew County as a Democrat, being the only 
candidate elected on that ticket.  He held the office for two years..
one term..and then took his present position under J. C. Brooks.  He 
was married November 15, 1857, to Miss Malissa J. Grimes, who was born
in Kentucky in 1835, and is the daughter of Abraham Grimes.  Five
children have blessed this union, one of whom is dead.  Mrs. Ruddell is
a member of the Christian Church.