V O L U M E 2 2 , I S S U E 3 , F A L L 2 0 1 9 RUFFNER ROOTS and Ramblings

GREEN HILL CEMETERY PROJECT CONTINUES - NEEDS SUPPORT

The Green Hill Cemetery on Main Street in Luray, Virginia was established in 1877. The most prominent memorial is the obelisk to William Staige Marye and wife Mary, daughter of Peter Ruffner, Jr. William Staige was one of the trustees to the founding of Luray in 1812. Over the years the cemetery has fallen into disrepair due to neglect and other reasons.In June 1962 a vandalism spree damaged 95 stones, including one that was dated 1842 and one that weighed more than one ton. Now, 57 years later with more than $20,000 in expenditures from generous donors, along with hundreds of volunteer hours, approximately 80% of the tombstones have been repaired. While the repairs are not complete, work continues to restore what vandalism, neglect and the ravages of time have done to this cemetery in its 142 year history. The cemetery is governed by a board of trustees and relies on donations for its ongoing maintenance. This requires approximately $10,000 per year from the public. The current trustees have instituted many activities to educate the public on the history and maintenance requirements of the cemetery. One of these activities is Sunday Strolls through the cemetery. In September Sam McNeely, current chairman of the trustees, presented a program on Ruffner ancestors buried there, along with a history of the Ruffner family and its role in settling the community since 1739. RUFFNER FAMILY ASSOCIATION M A Y 2 0 2 0 | I S S U E N O . 5

PRESIDENT MEMBERSHIP Marria Blinn, Illinois Sam McNeely P.O. Box 351, TREASURER & COO Luray, VA 22835 [email protected] Samuel H. McNeely, Virginia

FACEBOOK POSTMASTER ASSISTANT TREASURER Charlotte Ruffner Bryan Wallace, Indiana [email protected]

SECRETARY NEWSLETTER EDITOR Rebecca Ruffner, Arizona Kimberly McCue 207 Bryant Avenue HISTORIAN North Augusta, SC 29841 Betty Lou Gaeng, Alaska

Betty [email protected] MISSION STATEMENT Chartered and incorporated in 1999 to

support an association of members who will research and LIBRARIAN preserve their common heritage through the collection of Judy Henderson, Virginia artifacts and documents which form the basis for knowledge and appreciation of the historic role played by the Ruffner BOARD OF DIRECTORS descendants and their collective lines in the settlement and Betty Ann Axline, Virginia development of the American Frontier. Robert Brown, Virginia Marilyn Courtade, Washington RUFFNERFAMILY.ORG Leila Garcia, Virginia Phyllis Hershock, Pennsylvania Angela Hinzey, Virginia THANK YOU JOAN! Jim Johnson, Ohio Charlotte Ruffner, California It is with sincere gratitude that we say THANK YOU to Joan Ruffner K. Daniel Ruffner, Ohio Reid for her many years of valuable service as Editor for Ruffner Douglas Ruffner, Oklahoma Roots & Ramblings newsletter. Joan is a highly skilled editor, writer, researcher and graphic designer who preserved the Ruffner Gary Ruffner, Illinois family history through her award-winning newsletters. We will Melissa Ruffner, Arizona always Nancy Lee Ruffner Shifflett, Virginia remember her elegant touch in our newsletters and are so happy to know that Joan will continue to be an important part of the RFA DIRECTORS EMERITI serving as Director Emeritus! Hats off to you, Cousin Joan! And, Betty Lou Gaeng, AK (active) Thank You from the bottom of our hearts! Samuel H. McNeely, VA (active) Joan Ruffner Reid, OH (active) Elisabeth Ruffner, AZ (deceased) Shirley Ann Sheets, CO (deceased) Rev. Dorotha Russell, TX (deceased) Robert Newman Sheets, CO (deceased) Lester Ward Ruffner, AZ (deceased) Doris Laver Ruffner, OH (deceased) Have an announcement? Email your news and a photo to: Olive Taylor Ruffner, OH (deceased) [email protected]. The Winter issue George E. Ruffner, IL (deceased) deadline is January 9, 2020.

FROM OUR PRESIDENT

Here in the Midwest the temperatures have been slowly dropping, the color is fading from the trees while a few leaves here and there are debuting red and yellow colors. We are welcoming the beginning of fall.

In addition to serving as President for the Ruffner Family Association, I also serve as Illinois State Historian for the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution. Some of my duties consist of representing the state and 104 of its chapters to identify and mark historical sites, and Revolutionary War Patriots/Soldiers and their wives’ and daughters’ graves. As I travel our state to attend events, the conversations always include the topic genealogy. I am so proud of the Ruffner Family Association and readily share information about our great organization. People are amazed at the success that we have had with preserving our family history and maintaining our organization. I have not met another person who has a family organization such as ours, although many express, they wish they had the opportunity.

We all enjoy the benefits of the RFA and to make sure it continues for generations to come, have an obligation to contribute in some way. Please consider making a donation so the RFA can continue its projects and historical preservation, serve in a board/committee position or submit information or articles to the Ruffner Roots & Ramblings and Facebook page. We are always looking for good quality items for our newsletter and Facebook page!

A strong sense of thankfulness comes to mind when I think of the work our founding members and those who have maintained the RFA and its mission have invested throughout the years. Phyllis Hershock, Past President, had many years of great support from her husband, Craig Herschock. I am saddened to report that Craig passed away recently and will be dearly missed by the RFA.

Please check out the RFA Facebook page to see some amazing research and information! Thank you, Charlotte, Facebook Postmaster, and other contributing members for posting this collection of truly remarkable Ruffner associated articles, photos, and information.

Also, thank you to our new Editor, Kimberly McCue, for producing this edition of the Ruffner Roots & Ramblings that I know you will all enjoy!

Until next time…..enjoy the autumn splendor in your part of the country!

Marria Blinn RFA President [email protected] UPDATE ON RUFFNER COLLECTION AT LONGWOOD UNIVERSITY by Marria Blinn

Many places across the have experienced a wet and humid summer. Inside of Longwood University, the dehumidifier and air conditioners have worked with these conditions to keep a perfectly balanced humidity level and temperature for the archival room where the Ruffner Family Collection is housed and other archival rooms as well.

Archivist Ben Chatelain checks the temperature and humidity levels, daily, and one day, discovered that the mechanical equipment had worked a bit too hard and was no longer functioning properly. The temperature and humidity began to rise in the rooms surrounding the Ruffner Collection room. Ben and his staff immediately began moving archival materials to a new location at the university where the temperature could carefully be controlled and monitored. The Ruffner Collection was also moved as a preemptive measure. The entire move included over 2,000 boxes of archival materials and took several weeks during the summer to complete.

The Ruffner Collection is currently placed in a very accessible location so the digitalizing process can continue. The University is in the process of replacing the faulty equipment and the work will complete around the end of December with the archival records moving back to their original location in January 2020. Archivist Ben Chatelain has met with the University administration and they have consented to begin a search for an intern to assist with the digitalization. The RFA is very grateful to Ben for his diligence in keeping a watchful eye over the Ruffner Collection. CELEBRATION HELD IN ARIZONA HONORS ELISABETH RUFFNER ANOTHER RUFFNER QUERY AND A STORY

By Betty Lou Gaeng

Opal, Virginia—ever hear of it? Unless you are familiar with Fauquier County in Virginia, you probably haven’t. Warrenton, the capital of Fauquier County, is a short 13-minute drive to the north—8.9 miles. Luray in Page County, is 46.9 miles—about an hour’s drive to the west. Opal is an unincorporated community, with a population of 692, as listed in the 2010 federal census records. The area’s most well-known business appears to be Quarles Truck Stop—a place where a long-haul trucker can park his truck with at least 74 other long-haulers, fuel up to continue his trip, get a shower, have a good meal of on-site barbequed chicken, maybe attend religious services on a Sunday, attend to paper work, and most of all, get a good rest at the motel. So, what does Opal, Virginia, have to do with another Ruffner story? Recently our COO, Sam McNeely, received a query from a lady (not of Ruffner lineage), whose mother owns a farm near Opal. She emailed: “There was a burial site on my mother’s land in Opal, VA. Do you know who, what and when?” She further stated: “When my stepfather had the land, the only remaining building was a large red barn, but we were told the Ruffner family were buried in a stand of trees on the NE portion of the land.” She also mentioned that she remembered being told they were lost in a fire.When Sam contacted me, the information provided did sound a bit familiar. Sam and I started checking and we both quickly found the connection. The answer to the query regarding the old farm appears in several records, and especially in the Peter Ruffner, Jr. 2007 book. Jesse Andrew Jackson Ruffner5 (Joshua Anderson Ruffner4, Joshua Ruffner3, Peter Ruffner Jr.2, Peter Ruffner1) and his wife, the former Emma Dora Ball (aka Emadora Ball), were once the owners of the farm in Opal, Virginia. It seems very likely that Jesse Ruffner purchased the farm sometime following the Civil War and before his February 1876 marriage to Emma. Jesse Ruffner was born January 13, 1846, in Rockingham County, Virginia. Emma was born July 14, 1854, also in Rockingham County. Her parents: John W. Ball and Athuline Pilcher. CONTINUED ON NEXT PAGE ANOTHER RUFFNER QUERY AND A STORY, CONTINUED

The information in the Peter Ruffner, Jr. book, confirmed that Jesse and Emma owned a farm in Opal to the east of Route 17, just north of the Opal intersection, and, guess what—the farm is now located behind the well-advertised Quarles Truck Stop. During the , Jesse Andrew Jackson Ruffner served as a private in the Gettysburg Campaign and in skirmishes in the , under field officer Col. George W. Imboden in Company K, 62nd Regiment, Virginia Mounted Infantry, CSA. The regiment disbanded during April of 1865. Jesse died at Bristersburg, Fauquier County, Virginia on June 23, 1916. Emma Ruffner died September 15, 1925, at the Bristersburg home of grandson, Joshua Cleveland Ruffner (1884-1940). In March of 1924, the year before her death, Emma Ruffner applied for a widow’s pension. At that time, she stated that she no longer owned the family farm.

Both Jesse and Emma Ruffner are buried in the Ruffner family plot at the Catlett Methodist Cemetery in Catlett, Fauquier County, Virginia. Thus, they are not the ones buried on the former Ruffner farm in Opal. In fact, information in the Peter Ruffner, Jr. book indicates that the graves are those of Jesse’s parents, Joshua Anderson Ruffner and Jane Blaine Ruffner. Joshua Anderson Ruffner4, the father of Jesse Andrew Jackson Ruffner, was born in 1813 in the Massanutten Mountains, west of Luray in Shenandoah County. He was the son of Joshua Ruffner3 and Sarah Rivercomb, and a grandson of Peter Ruffner, Jr. In 1840, he married Nancy Jane Blaine (known as Jane). They moved to Rockingham County, Virginia, where Joshua Anderson Ruffner became a hotel and tavern keeper. By 1870, he and his wife Jane, and son Jesse, were shown living near Warrenton in Fauquier County, Virginia, along with two younger sons, Preston Watson Ruffner (1849-1918) and David (1853-1924). Most importantly, on page 70 of the Peter Ruffner, Jr. book, it states: “Joshua died July 18, 1895, at the home of his son Jesse Andrew Jackson Ruffner at Opal, Fauquier County, Virginia. Jane died 18 January 1876. They are buried there.” Thus, it does appear that the graves located amid the trees at the northeastern section of the present-day Opal farm are those of Joshua Anderson Ruffner (1813-1895) and his wife, Jane Blaine Ruffner (1814-1876), who were the parents of Jesse Andrew Jackson Ruffner. Nothing was found indicating there had been a fatal fire on the farm.This information was forwarded to Ms. Montgomery, the lady who had sent the query to the Ruffner Family Association.

Answering queries such as this one, is a service RFA provides. At times we have even acquired new members as a result of these contacts. As the Ruffner Family historian, I maintain a subscription to World Ancestry and I also consult Family Search (the family research site of the Mormon Church), as well as many other research offerings. Often, when queries are received, it is found there are no family ties to our own Peter and Mary Steinman Ruffner family. However, even when we find there is no personal family connection, we still do as much research as possible— and we respond to all queries. WHAT'S HAPPENING IN YOUR NECK OF THE WOODS?

By Marilyn Courtade Carnation, Washington

Progress! It’s hard to accept. Especially, when you hear of a Macy’s store closing. The downtown Seattle store, where I worked for 16 years, is closing its doors forever, and the building is sold. That’s what happened this week. The building has been there since 1910; but the company has had a retail store since 1890, at a couple of different locations. Some Seattle companies that prospered during the 1890’s Alaska/Klondike Gold Rush stampede continued to serve customers. These included the Bon Marche, which frequently advertised arctic clothing as well as a mail order business, in Seattle newspapers in 1897 and 1898. Its wares included blankets, shoes, bedding, and general furnishings. Edward Nordhoff, a German immigrant, founded this company, naming it after the famous store in Paris. "Le Bon Marche" translates into "The Good Bargain." During the gold rush, the Bon Marche operated at Second Avenue and Pike Street. A victim of the growth of online retail shopping and the on-going social problems larger cities are facing today, the downtown Seattle Macy’s which was originally the Bon Marche Dept. Store is closing next year. In 1983, when I first started working at The Bon Marche, we had some unique departments, a post office, liquor store, hobby shop, book store and of course your regular department store merchandise including furniture. It had eight floors and a basement; all retail space. I worked in that store when it was The Bon Marche and Macys, as a men’s shoe manager, shoe buyer and a shoe coordinator. I have been through the 2001 earthquake, and as the old building shook—it seemed forever—bricks were falling and it was a bit scary. I guess it scared me enough that I transferred to the Bellevue, Washington, Macy’s which was closer to home anyway. That old building holds lots of memories and it will be sad to see another institution gone.While I worked in downtown Seattle, we had our first Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade, which mostly consisted of those of us from the buying offices. It was fun and small compared to the sizable parade it is now. Every year the big star on the top corner of the store is lit up to celebrate the Holiday season along with fireworks coming off the top of the building. It was a center piece for the opening of the Holiday season and drew crowds. This year, sadly, the star will not shine, as it is in need of repair. I hope it will shine again for us all.Amazon has taken over all the floors except for three retail floors. Those will be gone next February. Rumor has it that Amazon will take over the rest of the building too.(pictures courtesy of history link) WHAT'S NEW IN COLUMBUS, OHIO?

WHAT’S NEW IN COLUMBUS, OHIO? The National Veterans Memorial and Museum was created to represent veterans – not just war. The war stories are there –but they aren’t the prime reason for this modern edifice. Attention is also given to a person’s decision to serve, their oath and training, boot camp, deployment and the role they will play, separation from friends and family, survival, sacrifice and homecoming.My home town has always had a veteran’s memorial as long as I can remember. The first one was in memory of WWI and the second for WWII, which was torn down for the construction of the new one in Columbus, Ohio’s capital and largest city. It was an $82 million project that originated in 2012 and finally welcomed visitors on October 27, 2018, two weeks before the Veterans Day holiday. The museum received a national designation from Congress and President Trump.It is the only museum in the nation dedicated to honoring all the courageous men and women who answered the call to serve our country. It stands as an inspiration for all visitors to come and hear the stories and honor the service of our veterans.There are many heroes celebrated on the national stage, but countless numbers, whose military experiences are known only to family, friends and descendants, have never been preserved and shared and their sacrifices for freedom are now remembered. The goal of the museum is to –˃ Honor Americans’ contributions to our country through military service.˃ Connect civilians with veterans and their experience.˃ Inspire visitors to serve their community and nation as active citizens.˃ Educate school children about the history and value of service. Outside the museum lies a 2.5 acre Memorial Grove, designed for contemplation and reflection. A grove of trees, water feature, memorial wall, and Ring of Honor create a space for remembrance, inspiration, and the recognition of service. Compiled by Joan Ruffner Reid from the Internet (CNN) CORRECTIONS

From the desk of Betty Lou Gaeng, RFA Historian:

In the last issue of Ruffner Roots & Ramblings, Vol. 22, Issue 2, Summer 2019, the story about Viola Knapp Ruffner had an error regarding the lithographic print of Viola Ruffner. The auction house reported that the lithographer was named Arthur Lidor. That name was erroneous—the correct name for the well-known and talented lithographer was Arthur Lidov. NEW BOOK AVAILABLE! Another error I accidently Malden, attorney, legislator and local historian Larry encountered while doing research on Rowe has now added published author to his resume. His recent Viola Ruffner’s descendants. An book, Virginia Slavery and King Salt in Booker T. Washington’s online website called Generals .dk, Boyhood Home chronicles the role of slavery in the production of Generals of WWII from the USA salt prior to the Civil War in the Kanawha Valley. This is Book One (Wikipedia), has a listing and military of a Two-Book Set. Book Two will be the inspirational story of a information for Major General David freed family united in Malden after the Civil War. Ruffner family Lewis Ruffner (1896-1973)—the son of members will remember Larry Rowe for his inspirational speech Joel Henry Ruffner, and a descendant at the 2015 Ruffner Family Reunion in Malden, West Virginia. With of Joseph Ruffner. However, the the African Zion Baptist Church as the backdrop, Larry wove a photo they erroneously show with fantasy tale of a gathering including prominent local Ruffners and David Lewis Ruffner’s information is Booker T. Washington in the late 1800’s. The audience was that of Gen. Clark Louis Ruffner (1903- mesmerized by the details of the bond which had been formed 1982), great grandson of Lewis and between the two families, who had come from two different Viola (Knapp) Ruffner, and another worlds. The book may be ordered from: larrylrowe.com or descendant of Joseph Ruffner. Amazon.com

SURVEY ON THE WAY!

We are always on the lookout for new family reunion locations! In November, you will receive a short online survey to collect information about a possible family reunion at Longwood University in Farmville, Virginia. Please watch for the survey email and complete it to let us know how you feel about the Longwood location. We are looking forward to hearing your opinions! WE'LL BE IN SONOMA FOREVER

By Charlotte Ruffner When I moved to Sonoma 3-1/2 years ago, I never thought I’d be here forever, but that all changed last year when one of my friends from the Sonoma Valley Historical Society told me that she found a Ruffner buried in the Sonoma Mountain Cemetery. The Mountain Cemetery is the oldest cemetery in Sonoma. It contains the graves of Vallejo, Sebastiani, Boyes, Fetters — basically, the who’s who of Sonoma history. I went online to www.findagrave.com and found a photograph of Nancy Ruffner’s tombstone. She died in 1885. My husband, Ben, and I took a hike into the cemetery to find the Ruffner grave. It took about 15 minutes to find it. I called out to Ben to come and look at the obelisk shaped gravestone. As he approached the tombstone from a distance he saw that the entire plot was large and that “Ruffner” was written in 3 inch letters across a retaining wall. The plot had only one tombstone and what looked like an unmarked grave next to it. There was room for more graves. We looked at each other and said, “Are you thinking what I’m thinking?” Within days I was in the office of Sonoma’s go-to administrative person in charge of cemeteries. I asked about the possibility of being buried in the Ruffner plot. If Ben could prove that he is related to the Ruffner who owned the plot, our cremated remains could be buried there. (Sonoma no longer buries coffins in the Mountain cemetery.) I got to work. I looked into Sonoma’s funeral records and found that Nancy Ruffner who died in 1885 was married to James Ruffner who died in 1916 and is buried next to Nancy (in the unmarked grave). I contacted Betty Gaeng, RFA Historian who was able to tell me that James Ruffner is indeed a Ruffner cousin. James Ruffner descends from Reuben Ruffner (Peter-1, Reuben-2, Samuel-3, James-4). James was born in Kentucky in 1820 and migrated to Missouri where he met and married Nancy Patton. They then migrated to Sonoma, California. James was a plasterer in Sonoma and lived to the age of 90. Ben wrote a letter to the City of Sonoma explaining his familial relationship to James Ruffner. We can call Sonoma our home forever. In the mean time, I take care of the Ruffner plot, clearing out weeds and planting flowers. ANNOUNCEMENTS

Benjamin Weidinger and Madison Stanley were wed in Maidens, VA on Saturday, October 5, 2019. Ben is the son of Anita (desc. Emanuel) and Michael Weidinger of Yorktown, VA. Some may remember Ben when he attended a few RFA reunions in his younger years.

Kim McNeely RR and R editor and Patrick McCue were married March 30 in Aiken, South Carolina. Kim is the daughter of Sam and Betty McNeely. They met in 1993 when they both worked at The Augusta Chronicle newspaper. Patrick is from Kittanning, PA and is the son of the late John Berchmans McCue and Mary Helen McCue.

Craig M. Hershock passed away at home on November 5. He was the loving husband of Phyllis (Rinker) Hershock with whom he celebrated 50 years of marriage in August. Born in York on March 6, 1946, Craig was the son of the late John and Lois (Wiser) Hershock. He graduated from Central High School and Kutztown University. He earned APICS certification, serving on the local CPIM board, passing the tests and also teaching the prep classes. Craig took management classes at Penn State and also taught Civil War classes for their Ollie program. Craig worked in management for 30 years at Danskin, Inc. and 15 years at Perform Group LLC. His interests in music and Civil War history provided the motivation for activities throughout his adult life. In his 20's, he was a cantor at church, played saxophone with the St. Rose Singers, and also with the local band, Shylo. Craig played his sax with the Emigsville and Columbia VFW community bands. He joined the PA 87th regiment as a Civil War re-enactor in the early 90's and later played penny whistle and flutes in a period musical group, The Susquehanna Travellers. He and his wife joined the Victorian Dance Ensemble and performed Civil War dances at events for nearly 20 years. Craig is survived by two daughters; Kristen White and daughter Abby from VA and Amanda (Hans) Harris and their children, Aidan and Genevieve, who live in MD. He was loved by the extended families but most especially in his role of Papa to his 3 grandchildren. His sister Susan Pearson lives in New Cumberland, and he was preceded in death by his sister, Carla Hershock Persun. Funeral services were held Thursday, November 7th at St. Joseph's Catholic Church.

Looking for that perfect, unique,meaningful gift to give family members HOLIDAY this Christmas? Why not give them the 114 page Ruffner Family Historic Sites Guide Book that is filled with color photos, descriptions, GIFT genealogy, family stories and more! The RFA is able to offer this family book at cost for the price of $10 plus shipping when you order five or more IDEA copies. Contact Marria Blinn at [email protected] or (708) 269-7101 for more details.