Ruble, John C. 1842-1933

RUBLE, HORD

Posted By: Edwin Lackey (email)
Date: 5/2/2006 at 10:37:32

Plymouth County Pioneer Resident Called By Death (LeMars Sentinel, Sep 1933)

John C. Ruble, Civil war veteran and Plymouth county pioneer, formerly a resident of Akron, died at his home in LeMars Monday morning, September 4, 1933, following an illness of several weeks caused by the infirmities of his age. He was in his ninety-first year and in his long life enjoyed good health, despite the dictum of surgeons in the Civil war, who gave him up for lost after he was shot through one of his lungs while in battle.

John C. Ruble was born in Mifflin County, Pennsylvania, December 17, 1842, and grew up on the home farm conducted by generations of Rubles since colonial days. He attended the common schools and received a scant education, being brought up in the school of hard knocks and early impressed with the idea that life was not altogether a bed of roses.

At the first call to arms by President Lincoln, when the Civil war broke out in 1861, John Ruble volunteered and joined the first Pennsylvania Infantry. Later he joined the seventh Pennsylvania Cavalry and served throughout the duration of the war. His regiment was a part of the Army of the Potomac and participated in many of the big battles of the war.

John Ruble was orderly for General Meade at Gettysburg and also fought at Appomattox and the Wilderness. He was shot through the left lung while in action July 27, 1864. He was taken prisoner in the engagement at Malvern Hill and was confined in Libby prison for four months. He was kept there until December, 1864, and then sent in an interchange of prisoners to a hospital in Germantown, Pennsylvania. He rejoined his regiment and continued in service until the close of the war, under General Phillip Sheridan. He was honorably discharged at the close of the war, when he went back to Lewistown, Pa.

John Ruble was on guard duty in Washington D.C. the night that President Lincoln was assassinated, and was one of the troopers detailed in the hunt for the assassin, Wilkes Booth.

The year following the war, he moved to Jo Daviess county, Illinois, where he engaged in farming. He was united in marriage at Stockton, Illinois, November 29,1867, with Miss Susan Ruble. She died July 21, 1915. Two children were born to them, Mrs. Julia Maben, of Burlington, Kansas, and John Ruble, who died in LeMars, December 27, 1918, during the influenza epidemic.

Mr. Ruble came to Plymouth county in 1878 and located in Johnson township, where he farmed on a large scale for a number of years. The village of Ruble, on his land, was named in his honor. He lived for a few years in the town of Akron, but the past several years has lived in LeMars.

Mr. Ruble was active and influential in public affairs and held a number of township offices at various times. He was a Republican in politics. He was a member of Jas. Biddlecome Post, G.A.R. in Akron and later of Mower Post, G.A.R. in LeMars. He was a member of the Masonic Order--a Royal Arch Mason, a member of the Blue Lodge, the Commandery and Nobles of the Mystic Shrine. Mr. Ruble was the first member to be admitted to Freedom Lodge No 434, A.F. & A.M. of Akron U.D. (under dispensation), coming in by demit from Plum River Lodge, No. 554, of Illinois. His demit was presented at the lodge's first meeting, February 19, 1883, and he was elected at the second meeting, March 19, 1883. He became the lodge's third Worshipful Master in 188j and held that position during the years 1890-91-97-98-99, later demitting to Giblem Lodge of LeMars.

Mr. Ruble was a man among men, bluff, hearty, sincere, the soul of honor, and respected by all who knew him.
Mr. Ruble was married to Mrs. Virginia Hord, of Washington, D.C., in 1916. He is survived by his wife and nine stepchildren, two of whom, Miss Lucille Hord and Miss Monah Hord, have made their homes in LeMars the past few years. His daughter, Mrs. Julia Maben, lives at Burlington, Kansas, as do two grandchildren, Mrs. Julia Wilson and John Maben. His daughter-in-law, Mrs. Ella Ruble, resides in Plymouth county, as do her children, Robert, Thomas, Henry and Margaret. John W. Ruble lives in Seattle, Washington. There are seven great-grandchildren and three great-great-grandchildren. He also leaves a half-brother, James Ruble, of LeMars.

The funeral will be held at LeMars this (Thursday) afternoon with military honors, members of the G.A.R., Spanish-American War veterans, the American Legion and members of Company K, I.N.G., participating. The funeral will be held from Beely's chapel at 2 o'clock, with services in the Masonic Temple at 2:30 o'clock in charge of the Masons. Pallbearers will be Spanish-American war veterans, J.C. Johnston, D.C. Lenihan, C.B. Moore, C.L. Nevins, A. Jermann, M.A. Cass and R.M. Neubrand. Interment in the family lot in the City cemetery at LeMars.