M. E. Ruggles (biography)

[genealogynut]

Taken from History of the State of Kansas, by William G. Cutler

M. E. RUGGLES, farmer, P.O. Grenola, was born in Broome County, N. Y., in 1826.  In 1835, he emigrated to Michigan, locating in Oakland county in 1856, located in Waupaca County, Wis., remaining there four years, then back to Oakland County, remaining there until 1870, when he emigrated to Kansas, locating in Elk County, then Howard, taking a claim, before the survey was made, on the southeast quarter of Section 8, Town 31, Range 9; was seventy-five miles from a railroad, and no improvements to be seen.  He has fifty-five acres improved, the place all fenced and a fine orchard of 900 peach trees, 100 apple and other fruits of various kinds, there is plenty of water furnished by Caney Creek.  He was Justice of the Peace the first three years after the county was organized, and is the present Township Treasurer.  He is raising sheep of a high grade merino, and gets an annual clip of eight pounds per head, the investment paying forty per cent.  He was married in 1854 at Milford, Oakland county, Mich., to Miss Hattie Billsen of that place.  They have two children--Frank E. and Mary E.  He served from the spring of 1865 until the close of the war in the Twenty-second Michigan Infantry.