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History of Columbus County Ohio
George L. Ruggles, who is now living retired in Columbus, was for many years successfully connected with the business interests of this city. His birth occurred in Boylston, Massachusetts, on the 10th of November, 1843, his parents being Brigham nd Charlotte (Maynard) Ruggles. The family is of English descent and the first representative of the name to come to America located near Boston, Massachusetts, about 1637. Brigham Ruggles, the father of our subject, who was born in Massachusetts in 1784, as connected with agricultural pursuits throughout his active business career. At one time, having determined to establish his home in the west, he sold his interests in the old Bay state but was persuaded not to make the removal and therefore spent his remaining years in Massachusetts, passing away at the age of seventy-eight years. His wife, whose natal day was February 21, 1800, was called to her final rest in October, 1888. Unto this worthy couple were born four sons, of whom George L., is now th only survivor.
The last named was reared on the horne farm and acquired a common-school education. In the spring of 1863 he began farming for his father but in the fall of the same year entered school, remaining as a student until June,1864. Subsequently he wasemployed on a farm for nine months, driving an ox-team and hauling timber during the winter of 1864-5. The 9th of April, 1865, witnessed his arrival in Springfield, Ohio, and, having a little capital, he began selling a book entitled "Chronicles of the Rebllion." He met with fair success in this undertaking but was taken sick with scarlet fever before he could deliver the volumes and on recovering from his illness found it rather difficult to dispose of them. He also sold a lithograph of the Emancipation Proclamation. Afterward he again gave his attention to farming for one month nd then started to walk to Springfield, Ohio, eight relies away. After convalescing from a two months' illness he taught school for one month. Resigning his position as a teacher, he went to work for George W. Hastings, the editor of the Springfield Republc, as a subscription solicitor and during his connection with the paper, from December, 1865, to April, 1866, he increased the circulation by three thousand. Mr. Hastings then purchased a book bindery and in June, 1866, sent Mr. Ruggles on the road to sell blankbooks and stationery--such as is used in county and state offices. Our subject was thus engaged until 1869 and on the 20th of January of that year came to Columbus, accepting a position with Siebert & Lilley, who were also manufacturers of blankbooksand stationery. He remained with that company until their plant was destroyed by fire in 1892, and in March of that year he established the Ruggles Gale Company, of which he continuously served as president until July, 1906, when he sold out and retired from active business life. For about fifteen years he was thus at the head of an important commercial enterprise of Columbus and is widely recognized as a most substantial, public-spirited and enterprising citizen. Brooking no obstacles that honest effort could overcome, he steadily worked his way upward until, leaving the ranks of the many, he stood among the successful few. He was one of the organizers of the South Side Business & Improvement Association, served as its president for two years, and was also a director of the Columbus Board of Trade for two years.
Mr. Ruggles has been married twice. On the 1st of February, 1871, he wedded Miss Emma S. Buck, a native of Portsmouth,Ohio, who passed away in June, 1875. By this union there were born two children: Ferdinand A., who is a clerk in the department f construction and repair at the navy yard in Manilla; and Elmer W., who is deceased. On the 8th of September, 1879, Mr. Ruggles was again married, his second union being with Mary A. Platt, who was born in Columbus, January 16, 1848, her parents being Calin A. and Lucy (Lynch) Platt, who were natives of Vermont and pioneer settlers of this city. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Platt were born nine children, three of who still survive, as follows: Mrs. Laura Shilling, a resident of Springfield, Ohio; Mrs. Sarah Harker, living in Cincinnati, Ohio; and Mrs. Ruggles. Unto Mr. Ruggles and his second wife have been born three children: Louise, the wife of Dr. Walter E. Newcome, of Cleveland, by whom she has one son, Morse R.; Calvin B., of Seattle, Washington; and George M., wo died in infancy.
In his political views Mr. Ruggles is a stanch republican, while his religious faith is indicated by his membership in the First Congregational church, with which his wife is also identified. He has a small table which has been in possession of te family since 1700, its top being inlaid with a silver plate on which are inscribed the names of its owners and the date of their birth, as follows: Rev. Benjamin Ruggles, 1700; Benjamin Ruggles, Jr. 1726; Lemuel Ruggles, 1750; Grigham Ruggles, 1784. Subsquently
it fell to the lot of a brother of our subject, Charles B. Ruggles, who died childless and thus the heirloom came into possession of George L. Ruggles, who prizes it very highly. Both he and his wife are widely and favorably known throughout the ity, having won the unqualified confidence and regard of all with who they have come in contact throughout the long period of their residence here.
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