WILLIAM RUYLE settled on his present farm on section 32, Carlin Precinct, Calhoun County, in 1858, and devoted his energies to its development and improvement until the breaking out of the war, when he threw aside all personal aims and ambitions to help his country in her hour of need. He is a native of Illinois, the place of his birth in Greene County, and the date thereof December 12, 1836. His parents were Alfred and Sarah (Blackstun) Ruyle and were both natives of Kentucky. His paternal ancestors are said to have been of German origin. In 1850 the parents of our subject came to Calhoun County and cast in their lot with its pioneers. They located at the Bay, near the present site of Bay Post-office, and resided there a number of years. They afterward returned to Greene County where the father died in 1882. The mother departed this life in 1864.
Our subject was reared to man's estate in this county amid its pioneer scenes and since attaining manhood has been a worthy factor in promoting its growth and may be regarded as one of its pioneers. He remained with his father until he was eighteen years old and then began working out as a farm hand and was thus engaged for some years. He was prudent and careful in the management of his money affairs and by close economy saved up enough of his wages to enable him to buy eighty acres of land for which be paid $800. He has added to his first purchase from time to time and now owns two hundred and forty acres of as good farming land as can be found in this part of Calhoun County. When it came into his hands it was just as its aboriginal owners had left it, and it was only by dint of energy and perseverance, by working early and late, and by shrewd management that be was enabled to bring it to its present fine condition, which makes it one of the most desirable pieces of property in the neighborhood. Our subject has ever proved himself a worthy citizen of the county and has so conducted himself in all affairs of life as to win the entire respect and regard of the people among whom he makes his home. He is a Republican in politics and has ever stood stanchly by his party.
Our subject's connection with the Grand Army Post at Hardin, Ill., is commemorative of the active part he took in the late war. He enlisted in the month of August, 1861, in Company C, Tenth Missouri Infantry, which became a part of the Army of the West, and at different times was under Generals Logan, Grant, Sherman, McPherson and other noted leaders. Mr. Ruyle fought at Corinth and Jackson, Miss., did good service at the battle of Champion Hills, took part in the siege of Vicksburg, was in the ranks at Missionary Ridge, and was under fire in many other important engagements. September 16, 1862, he was captured by the Confederates at Iuka, Miss., and was made a prisoner in the Vicksburg prison twenty-one days. Mr. Ruyle was honorably discharged from the army in the month of September, 1864 and reenlisted in March, 1865, in Company C, Sixty-second Illinois Infantry, which operated in Arkansas and Indian Territory against the Indians in order to keep them quiet. He received his final discharge in March, 1866. For his services while in the army he receives a pension of $6 a month.
After his hard experience of a soldier's life, our subject returned to Calhoun County, and resumed the work that he had dropped when he marched forth to defend his country and has continued farming very successfully. He has been greatly aided in his labors by his capable, energetic wife to whom he was wedded October 12, 1856. Mrs. Ruyle's maiden name was Lydia Lumley, and she is a sister of Mrs. D. S. H. Nevius, of Crater Precinct. By their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Ruyle have become the parents of twelve children, of whom nine are living: Nancy, Turner, Thomas, Julia, George, Luther, Oscar, Effie and Arthur. Those deceased are, Sarah M., Caroline and Lualga. Mrs. Ruyle is the daughter of Turner and Nancy (Beeman) Lumley; her parents had six children of whom five are living. Mrs. Ruyle the eldest, Mrs. Sarah Nevius, George, Mrs. Martha McConnell, (Thomas deceased) and Turner.
Extracted 16 Mar 2017 by Norma Hass from Portrait and Biographical Album of Pike and Calhoun Counties, Illinois, published in 1891, pages 583-584
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