Amos Ruckman

RUCKMAN, WALKER, TETER, LOVE, HOLMES

Posted By: Sue Eggert (email)
Date: 7/28/2006 at 00:37:57

from the Knoxville Journal

"In Memoriam"

Amos Ruckman, for over 32 years a most worthy citizen of Marion County, died at his home in Union township about two miles south of Red Rock, April 26, 1884, in the 79th year of his age.
He was born in Kentucky. Religiously his parents were Friends, he himself a Baptist. He was utterly opposed to slavery, and came to our glorious state in 1852. In our struggle for National existence he cheerfully gave two of his noble sons to the cause of freedom. They fell at Jackson, Miss, July 12th, 1863. Their names are among the honored dead on the Memorial Tablet in the Central University of Iowa.
"Father" Ruckman was a man of strong conviction touching (sic) justice truth and honesty. He was not ashamed to preach and practice these homely convictions. His daily life was an "open letter" read of all men.
"Be honest, owe no man anything but love, upon these legs I stand or fall". Adhering severely to these principles through a long life he succeeded financially. Commencing in Iowa on 80 acres of land in 1852, in 1884 his estate has nearly 1000 acres. This indicates prosperity and success. Young men, it is a fearful mistake to think success in life depends upon sharpness in the "tricks of trade", "slight of hand" bargains, or doubtful speculations. Be honest if the heavens fall.
Benton, the only surviving child since the two fell in battle, has been with his honored parents on the farm, a member of the farm, with like principles of action, and sharing this success.
The funeral was held at the family residence. A large concourse of people from all the surrounding country was present to pay their last respects to the memory of this good man, honest neighbor, kind father, and affectionate husband.
The oldest neighbors were pallbearers. How tenderly they deposited the remains in the ground in the Family Cemetery. This is a most beautiful place, upon a high and timbered bluff on the Ruckman estate. It overlooks the Des Moines river and a far outstretching country. A quiet and befitting resting place for the worn casket after the spirt has gone hence. Years ago, standing upon these very grounds Father Ruckman said, "Benton, I would as soon be buried here as any place in the world". From that hour the faithful son has had that enchanting site sacred to this end.
The tears of old and young were shed at the grave of this man of almost four score years. Some whispered, "He was indeed a good man-the kindest and best I ever knew"-Others, "He had'nt one enemy in the world"-"He was an honest man-transparent in his dealings", etc. etc.
"The memory of the just is blessed". "A good name is better than precious Ointment, and the day of death than the day of one's birth".
A widow, a son, and eight grandchildren mourn, but not without hope, for, "the Lord loveth the righteous. I.J.S.