Biographical Sketch of Rev. Samuel T. Ruffner, Lafayette County, Missouri

>From "History of Lafayette County, Mo., carefully written and compiled
from the most authentic official and private sources" St. Louis, Mo.
Historical Company, 1881.
**********************************************************************

Rev. Samuel T. Ruffner.  Mr. Ruffner, the present pastor of the O. S.
Presbyterian Church, at Higginsville, is a native of Kanawha county, 
West Virginia, born February 27, 1836.  In 1853 he moved with his parents
to Missouri, and located in Lexington, Lafayette county.  In 1855 he 
entered the Masonic College, at Lexington, where he remained for two
years, afterwards attending Center College, at Danville, Kentucky, where
he graduated with high honors, in 1858.  After graduating, he taught 
school in Lexington, Mo., until the breaking out of the civil war, when
he abandoned teaching, and in September, 1861, enlisted in the confeder-
ate service, Capt. John Bowman's company, Col. Elliott's regiment.  His
first engagement was at Lexington, and his second at Pea Ridge.  While at
Memphis, Tenn., he was taken sick and sent to the hospital, where he 
remained until his discharge.  His health being somewhat improved, he 
went to Hot Springs, Ark., where he remained until his health was entire-
ly restored.  He then associated himself with Capt. Roberts, who was then
recruiting, having his headquarters at Tahlequah, Indian Territory.  From
these recruits a battery was organized, of which Roberts was elected 
captain, and Mr. Ruffner, lieutenant.  Immediately after the  battle of
Prairie Grove Capt. Roberts resigned, and Lieut. Ruffner took command, in
which capacity he served until the surrender.  Capt. Ruffner took part in
all the principal engagements fought in his department.  After the close
of the war, he went to Nebraska and taught school for two years.  In 1869
he returned to Missouri, and began preparing for the ministry.  He was
licensed in 1872, and ordained in April, 1873.  His first charge was the
Waverly Pres. Church, of which he was pastor for seven years.  In Novem-
ber, 1879, he removed to Higginsville and took charge of the Presbyterian
church there, of which he is the present pastor.  June 13, 1877, he was
united to Miss Lucy E. Jackson, of Rappahannock county, Va., by which
union they have one child, Mamie, born February 17, 1878.

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