Capt. Homer Sheldon Ruby, 1841-1924

RUBY, SHUCK, SCHAUM, HERBERT, BIRNSTHIL

Posted By: Scott County IAGenWeb Volunteer
Date: 9/20/2016 at 16:05:01

Obituary for H. S. Ruby (Homer Sheldon Ruby)
 
The Milan Rock Island Independent.
February 28th, 1924.  

CAPTAIN H.S. RUBY VETERAN RIVER MAN, ANSWERS SUMMONS  

Steamboat pilot On Mississippi for More Than a Half Century is Dead.  

This community lost one of its oldest residents and the Mississippi river one of its greatest friends when Captain H.S. Ruby, veteran river man and steamboat pilot for more than a half century, passed away at five o’clock Friday afternoon at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Amelia Schaum, in Milan, where he had lived the last five years. He was 82 years old and had been in poor health for the past year, death resulting from the infirmities of his advanced age.  

Born and reared on the banks of the Mississippi, it was only natural that he should turn to it to earn a livelihood., as had two of his brothers before him At the age of 19 years he made his first voyage on the upper stretches of the upper Mississippi as a steamboat pilot, shipping from Buffalo, Iowa, with the old Diamond Joe line, with which he was connected for many years afterward, piloting its boats up and down the river between St. Louis and St. Paul.  

Starting in 1860, the towns and cities which now line the river’s bank were but villages . He saw these grow, while others started and vanished.

Many were the changes he witnessed in the years of his traveling on the stream, every foot of which he was as familiar with as the names of the ports he entered. In the course of those years, which passed without being marred by the tragedy of a serious mishap, Captain Ruby had the honor of carrying many passengers, and making the acquaintance of many persons of note, but among them he held most dear his close personal friendship with Mark Twain, who was the frequent companion on river journeys in those years, when the author was gaining recognition as a writer.
 
Captain Ruby was born in Davenport, Oct 3, 1841, and moved with his parents to Buffalo, Iowa, when but a small child. He grew to manhood there and Sept. 12, 1861 was united in marriage with Constantine Shuck, of Andalusia, the ceremony being performed in the parlors of the old Rock Island house. They continued to reside in Buffalo until 1876, when they moved to Rock Island, where they resided for a number of years, later living in Andalusia until the illness and death of Mrs. Ruby, Feb. 27. 1919. 

After moving to Rock Island, captain Ruby continued with the Diamond Jo Line until 20 years ago, when he became a pilot on the ferry boat operating between Rock Island and Davenport. He made thousands of trips between the two cities in the ensuing 13 years before he retired seven years ago. One of his proudest moments since his retirement occurred only last summer, when he was called upon to pilot a fleet of barges down the Hennipen canal and Mississippi river to Burlington, which he did, without mishap, despite the low stage of the river, which called for unusual knowledge of the channel and skill in handling the craft.   

He is survived by his two daughters, Mrs. Schaum of Milan, with whom he had made his home, and Mrs. Belle Herbert of Rock Island, one daughter Mrs. Blanch BirnsthiL, having preceded him in death four years. He also leaves three grandchildren and two great grandchildren.  

Funeral services were held Monday afternoon at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Schaum, in Milan, Rev. John Leckie, pastor of the Methodist church officiating. Interment was in Chippiannock cemetery.   

Captain Ruby’s favorite hymns, “Beautiful Isle,” and “Abide with Me,” were sung by Mrs. Thomas Wright and Mrs. Edwin Gamble, with Mrs. Bartol Rollins as accompanist.     

Pallbearers were Chas. Brandenburg, E.C. Nice, Lewis Guldenzopf and James Thompson of Milan and E.G. Fickenscher and Chauncey Church of Rock Island.