RUFFING by Robert Mclaren Sun Dec 30 1990 ------------------------------- . KS> ...surname of RUFFING, especially in the area of Mercer county, KS> Pennsylvania. I am also researching the surnames of: KS> SNYDERWINE, MEYER, and SIGLER, also in Mercer county, PA. . Mercer County, PA, is one of my areas of interest, and I have several references dealing with RUFFING in this county. I checked for your surnames and think I found the ones you are interested in -- at least I found a RUFFING - M(E)YER - SNYDERWINE connection in some bios in a 1909 Mercer Co. History. I also have a 16 volume set of cemetery records, and I've extracted quite a bit of info for you below. (Note the different spellings of SNYDERWINE). From J. G. White, "A Twentieth Century History of Mercer County, Pennsylvania, Vol. I", The Lewis Publishing Company, Chicago, 1909; Reprint: Page 428: Christopher P. RUFFING, the popular and up-to-date meat merchant at Grove City, of the firm of Ruffing Bros., is a native of Hickory township, Mercer county, Pennsylvania, born November 1, 1860, the son of John and Maggie (MEYERS) RUFFING. The parents were born in Germany, the father in Baden and the mother in Briedenbach. They were united in marriage in their native land, coming to America in 1854. They settled near Sharon and the father followed coal mining for hi livelihood for about twenty-three years. In 1864, he purchased a farm in Pymatuning township, and moved to the farm during that year and has resided there ever since; he is now aged seventy-nine years. The mother died in 1902, aged sixty-six years. This worthy couple were the parents of nine children, as follows: John H.. Lizzie; Charles H.; Christopher P.; Jacob J.; Lewis; William; Mary; Joseph. Both the parents were members of the Roman Catholic church and polically the father was a Democrat. Christopher P. RUFFING spent his youthful days on the farm and attended the public schools, and two terms of select school, thus obtaining a fair education. At the age of twenty-one years, he left the old home farm and with his brother, Charles H., went to Grove City, in the fall of 1882, and opened a meat market, under the firm name of Ruffing Bros. They began in a small way, with limited capital, but by means of much labor and careful management on their part have been highly successful. Politically, Mr. RUFFING is a Democrat. Both he and his wife are members of the Presbyterina church. He is a member of the order of Knights of Pythias and the K.O.T.M. December 14, 1893, he was married to Miss Margaret McCOY, a daughter of John and Jane (NUTT) McCOY, both born in Mercer county, Pennsylvania. The grandfather, William McCOY, was an early settler of Mercer county. Mrs. RUFFING's father was by occupation a farmer, and spent his life in Mercer county, where he died in 1904, at the age of seventy-seven years. The wife and mother resides on the old homestead, a mile and a half to the east of Grove City. She is now seventy-seven years of age. The following children were born to this couple: Margaret, Mary Ellen, William J., James B., David T., Rose, Samuel K. and Angeline. The father was twice married, his first wife being Margaret SHAW, who bore him two children who reached maturity: Jane and Elizabeth. Politically, the father voted the Democratic ticket, and was of the United Presbyterian church faith. Mrs. RUFFING was born on the old home farm in Pine township, March 26, 1865. Mr. and Mrs. RUFFING have two children: John A. and Maria J. In 1907, Mr. RUFFING erected a commodious house from brick and stone. His career has been one of industrious and frugal management from early boyhood to the present date. Page 490: William Franklin AMY, of 215 Main Street, Greenville, Pennsylvania, was born November 19, 1858, in West Salem township, Mercer county, Pennsylvania, a son of Isaac and Adaline (BARTZ) AMY. Isaac AMY was born in Lehigh county, Pennsylvania, in 1830 and died December 26, 1896. His wife was born in Mercer county, Pennsylvania, in 1839 and died in 1907. Their ten children were as follows: William F., of this memoir; Amanda, wife of A. MILLER; Charles E., whose sketch appears elsewhere in this work; Sarah, wife of John THOMPSON; Fannie, wife of William SEIPLE; Mary, wife of T. K. KAMERER; Ralph; Addie, wife of F. SISLEY; Emma, wife of George COOPER, and Mabel, wife of F. SNYDER. Mr. AMY came to Mercer county, Pennsylvania, when a mere lad. He had been early bereft of his parents and was oblilged to make his own way through life. He worked on a farm and later found employment with Daniel BARTZ in a distillery. After leaving there he was engaged at carpentering work up to 1866, when he engaged in business as a dealer in stone quarry products. He had a quarry in West Salem township, where he operated for a number of years, the same that his father had up to the time of his death. William F. AMY obtained his education in the public schools of his native county, and worked in his father's stone quarry when but twelve years of age. He continued in the stone industry up to January 8, 1903, when he engaged in the meat market business in Greenville, and is continuing both lines of business at the present time. Politically, he is a Democrat. He has served one term as assessor of West Salem township. He belongs to a number of insurance associations and is an industrious citizen in whom all have confidence. Mr. AMY was united in marriage November 8, 1877, to Elizabeth RUFFING, born in Sharon, Pennsylvania, a daughter of John and Margaret RUFFING, both of whom were born in Germany and came to America on their wedding tour. The father was a coal miner. Later, he purchased a farm and followed agricultural pursuits in Pymatuning township, two miles north of Transfer, where he still resides. His wife died several years since. The children born of their union were: John, Elizabeth (Mrs. AMY), Charles, Christopher, Jacob, Lewis, Mary, William, Joseph and one who died in infancy. The father was Roman Catholic, and politically he was a Democrat. William F. AMY and wife are the parents of the following children: Charles William, married Jennie MATHAY and they have three sons and one daughter; Nettie, who died in infancy; Margaret Adaline; Frederick L.; John I., married Pearl LENHART; Frank; Floyd; Katherine; Albert; Nora; Lewis, and Edward, who died in infancy. From J. G. White, "A Twentieth Century History of Mercer County, Pennsylvania, Vol. II", The Lewis Publishing Company, Chicago, 1909; Reprint: Page 730: John RUFFING, Sr., who is an enterprising farmer of Pymatuning township, Mercer county, is a native of Germany, born May 7, 1829, the son of Jacob RUFFING, who died at the age of seventy-five years, and his wife Margarite (BATZ) RUFFING. The father was a farmer in Germany and also followed mining. John RUFFING, of this sketch, from his early boyhood, worked in the coal mines in Germany. He married in his native land, in 1854, Margaret MYER, daughter of Christian MYER, and wife, who were farmers in the Fatherland. She died at the age of sixty-six years, April 14, 1902, on the old homestead. At the age of twenty-five years, Mr. RUFFING came to American, locating in Sharon, Pennsylvania, where he was employed in the extensive coal mines of that vicintiy, for about eleven years. He then when to Pymatuning township, of the same county, and purchased his present fine farm property, consisting of one hundred and thirty acres. This was in 1865, and there he has resided, carrying on his successful farming operations up to 1900, when he retired. Like most of the Germans who come to our shores, Mr. RUFFING takes much interest in the political affairs of his adopted country, and he is a supporter of the Democratic party. In church affiliations he is of the Catholic denomination. The children born to Mr. and Mrs. RUFFING are as follows: John, married Elizabeth ZUSCHLAG, of Transfer, Pennsylvania; Elizabeth, wife of Frank AMY, in the butcher business at Greenville; Charles, a butcher at Grove City, Pennsylvania, where he conducts a meat market, married Kate YOUNG; Christian, a butcher of Grove City, husband of Mary McCOY; Jacob, proprietor of a meat market at Edinburg, Pennsylvania, married Katie KUHN; Louis, an employe of the Bessemer shops, who married Emma FROM; William, at home on the farm, married to Mary FROM; Mary, wife of M. SNYDERWINE, residing near Sharon; Joseph, husband of Rose MAHN, and manages his father's farm - the old homestead. From L. B. DeSantis and S. G. Dufford, "Mercer County Cemetery Inscriptions, Volume 2", Mercer County Genealogical Society, Sharon, Pennsylvania, 1980 (Second Edition) Page 28 -- Old Findley Cemetery, Findley Township Row 10, stone 5: Mary V. RUFFING 1895-1961 From L. B. DeSantis and S. G. Dufford, "Mercer County Cemetery Inscriptions, Volume 4", Mercer County Genealogical Society, Sharon, Pennsylvania, 1981 Page 108 -- Presbyterian Cemetery, Pine Township Row 7, stone 4: ___________? dau a C. H. & K. E. RUFFING Sept 10, 1884 - Oct 15, 1884 From L. B. DeSantis and S. G. Dufford, "Mercer County Cemetery Inscriptions, Volume 5", Mercer County Genealogical Society, Sharon, Pennsylvania, 1981 Page 23,24 -- Woodland Cemetery, Pine Township Section A, Row 1 Stone 18 RUFFING Stone 19 Frank L. 1887-1959 (RUFFING) Capt 112 Inf 28 Div (WW I) Stone 20 Katherine E. 1862-1938 (RUFFING) Stone 21 Charles H. 1859-1937 (RUFFING) Section A, Row 3 Stone 7 Marie Jane 1900-1969 (RUFFING) Stone 8 John A. 1897-1956 (RUFFING) Stone 9 Margaret 1865-1943 (RUFFING) Stone 10 Christopher 1860-1944 (RUFFING?) From L. B. DeSantis and S. G. Dufford, "Mercer County Cemetery Inscriptions, Volume 7", Mercer County Genealogical Society, Sharon, Pennsylvania, 1981 Page 6 -- Oak Hill Cemetery, Sandy Lake Township Section A, Row 7 Stone 14 Rev. John G. LYTLE 1881-1960 Newark, NJ Conf Meth Church Stone 15 Luella RUFFING LYTLE 1885-1967 From L. B. DeSantis and S. G. Dufford, "Mercer County Cemetery Inscriptions, Volume 10", Mercer County Genealogical Society, Sharon, Pennsylvania, 1984 . Page 18, 20, 24, 28, 29, 32, 42, 45 -- Saint Michael Cemetery, Greenville Section A, Row 18 Stone 1 RUFFING - Mary F. 1865-1941 William 1867-1938 Section A, Row 22 Stone 12 Barbara MYERS 1809-1881 Stone 13 John RUFFING d Oct 15, 1909 age 80y Father Margaret wife of John RUFFING d Apr 14, 1902 age 66y Section A, Row 43 Stone 9 Alice M. SNYDERWINE 1934-1935 Section A, Row 61 Stone 2 Joseph V. RUFFING 1904-1938 Father Stone 3 Geraldine dau of J. V. & M. E. RUFFING 1930 Section A, Row 62 Stone 4 RUFFING - Joseph A. 1870-1942 Rose A. 1885-1964 Section A, Row 74 Stone 3 RUFFING - Lewis 1865-1939 Emma 1869-1967 Section C, Row 5 Stone 3 RUFFING - Clarence J. Dec 16, 1896 - Aug 10, 1970 Pvt Btry D 12 Regt Fard WWI Frances M. Sept 24, 1901 - nd Section C, Row 9 Stone 2 RUFFING - Robert C. 1906-1973 Helen E. 1907-nd . Page 174 -- Transfer Cemetery, Pymatuning Township Section C, Row 15 Stone 9 Gladys P. Reinhart RUFFING 1901-1935 Stone 10 Margaret A. RUFFING 1904-1923 Stone 11 RUFFING - Elizabeth C. 1876-1964 John H. 1857-1922 ....................... From L. B. DeSantis and S. G. Dufford, "Mercer County Cemetery Inscriptions, Volume 11", Mercer County Genealogical Society, Sharon, Pennsylvania, 1984 . Page 80, 84 -- Delaware Cemetery, Delaware Township Section F, Row 11 Stone 10 RUFFING - Florence Fritz 1903-1967 Herman Edward 1901-nd Additional info from caretaker Herman E. RUFFING 1901-1981 age 80 Sec F, Lot 37 . Page 139 -- Haywood Cemetery, West Middlesex Section H, Row 18 Stone 4 Michael G. SNYDERWINE 1890-1948 From L. B. DeSantis and S. G. Dufford, "Mercer County Cemetery Inscriptions, Volume 12", Mercer County Genealogical Society, Sharon, Pennsylvania, 1985 . Page 80 -- Saint Mary's Cemetery, Hermitage Section B&N, Row 11 Stone 6 Mary C. RUFFING 1906-1937 . Page 178, 179, 180, 181, 196, 199 -- Saint Rose Cemetery, Hermitage Section C, Row 2 Stone 2 Francis SIGLER d Mar 18, 1887 age 82y Margaret SIGLER d May 14, 1885 age 75y Section C, Row 4 Stone 6 Mary SNEIDERWIN 1865-1886 Section C, Row 6 Stone 3 Mary SNIDERWINE 1870-1890 Stone 4 Michael SNIDERWINE 1866-1889 Section C, Row 8 Stone 1 Peter son of Michael & M. SCHNEIDERIOIN? d July 8, 1872 age 2y 2m 9d Section C, Row 10 Stone 9 Margaret SNEIDERWIN 1836-1898 Stone 12 Elizabeth SNYDERWINE 1866-1899 Section C, Row 14 Stone 2 Elizabeth SNEIDERWIN 1871-1943 Stone 3 Charles SNEIDERWIN 1863-1933 Section C, Row 16 Stone 13 Mary E. SNEIDERWIN 1909-1918 Stone 14 Michael SNEIDERWIN 1836-1912 Stone 15 George P. SYNDERWINE 1898-1947 4 Co Students Army TRN CPS WWI Section F, Row 9 Stone 4 John SNIDERWINE 1839-1915 Mary his wife 1839-1915 Section F, Row 20 Stone 6 Edward James SNEIDERWINE 1908-1954 Stone 7 Michael J. SNEIDERWINE 1859-1931 Father ................. From L. B. DeSantis and S. G. Dufford, "Mercer County Cemetery Inscriptions, Volume 13", Mercer County Genealogical Society, Sharon, Pennsylvania, 1986 . Page 10 -- Morefield Cemetery, Hickory Township Section 1, Row 13 Stone 10 Constantine NYE 1827-1902 Stone 11 Irene NYE SNYDERWINE Feb 21, 1894 - nd Stone 12 Frank SNYDERWINE Aug 8, 1895 - June 20, 1963 Stone 13 Frank A. SNYDERWINE Feb 11, 1930 - Apr 24, 1940 Son From L. B. DeSantis and S. G. Dufford, "Mercer County Cemetery Inscriptions, Volume 14", Mercer County Genealogical Society, Sharon, Pennsylvania, 1987 . Page 78 -- Hillcrest Cemetery, Hermitage Section B, Row 61 Stone 4 Fred J.SNYDERWIND July 17, 1901 - Sept 14, 1954 .............. From L. B. DeSantis and S. G. Dufford, "Mercer County Cemetery Inscriptions, Volume 16", Mercer County Genealogical Society, Sharon, Pennsylvania, 1989 . Page 119 -- St. James Cemetery, Pulaski Township, Lawrence County Row 9, Stone 3 RUFFING Jacob J. RUFFING b. 1862; d. 1913 Catherine C. (his wife) b. 1863; d. 1942 Joseph J. (their son) b. 1891; d. 1914 Paul J. b. 1902; d. 1938 (rear of stone) John G. b. 1899; d. 1966 foot stone: John, Paul, Joseph, Father, Mother ................. Note that the entry from Volume 16 is not from Mercer County, but Lawrence County.