Ruddy NY to IA to MN&IL&UT
A person named Thomas Ruddy bought 80 acres in Fairview Twsp, Allamakee County, Iowa in 1854 and died in that year. James Ruddy left Ireland at some point and first appeared as executor/owner of the land left by Thomas Ruddy. James, a widower, married Ellen Murphy in Prairie Du Chein WI (across the river) and raised a family. Michael Ruddy, James' brother, was married to Catherine in Ireland and moved to Liverpool before 1836 when they had a son Thomas Ruddy.Between 1836-1844 Michael, Catherine and Thomas moved to NY City where Mary Ann and Richard were born then moved to Syracuse, where Daniel was born. In 1857 Michael's son Thomas joined the US 5th Infantry and served in New Mexico. Michael and his family moved to join James on the farm in Iowa in January 1865 and bought half the land off James for $1. They farmed together until 1872 when James and his family homesteaded 80 acres in Fairfax, Renville County. Michael's son Thomas left the 5th Inf to join the 3rd WI Cav during the Civil War then returned to Iowa after the War. One of Thomas's children, Michael Joseph, went to Salt Lake City, Utah to live. Michael's son Richard married Ellen Walsh and moved to Chicago. Michael's son Daniel stayed in McGregor, Iowa and raised a family. Michael died in 1873 and Catherine his wife moved up to Chicago with son Richard. A Nicholas Ruddy who lived with James and Michael on the farm in Iowa may have been a brother and is buried in McGregor, Clayton County Iowa. I would be happy to correspond with anyone about this family. Michael Ruddy