John W. Ruble was born in Jo Dayiess County, Aug. 14, 1852, Pleasant Valley

Township being his birthplace; his father, John Ruble, Sr., having been one of the pioneers of this section of Illinois. He was reared to a stalwart and energetic manhood amid the pioneer scenes of this locality, and now occupies an honorable position among the prosperous grain-growers and stock-raisers of Jo Daviess County, and managing his fine farm on section 30, Pleasant Valley Township, so as to obtain the best results from a financial point of view.

The father of our subject was born in Mifflin County, Pa., near Lewistown, in 1805. He came to Jo Daviess County in 1842, and became quite prominent among the pioneers of this section of Illinois. He first purchased a settler's claim of Lewis Harrison, comprising 300 acres of wild land on which stood a rude log cabin without any floor, the roof covered with clapboards, and the door with the primitive wooden latch and string. Mr. Ruble lost his first claim. He therefore had to purchase another tract of the Government, which comprised 250 acres of land of exceptional fertility and by persistent industry and wise economy became prosperous, and improved a valuable and highly cultivated farm, with good buildings and everything to conduct farming after the most approved methods. He subsequently sold a part of his estate to Jacob Ruble. Mr. Ruble's death occurred Jan. 16, 1886, at the age of eighty-one years and a few days. He was a man of exemplary habits, and during his long life and his many years' residence in this locality none knew him but to respect him. His wife, whose maiden name was Julia A. Parkinson, was born in Centre County, Pa. They had three sons in the late Civil War-James, Lewis, and William. James, a member of the 15th Illinois Infantry, died soon after enlisting; Lewis was a Sergeant in the Missouri Cavalry. When Mr. and Mrs. Ruble came to this part of the country from their old home in Pennsylvania, they were thirty days on the road, arriving here July 3, 1842. They found the country in a wild state with but few settlers in this vicinity; there being but two houses in sight of their farm when they located on it.

John Ruble, of whom we write, received his education in his native township, and when he grew to manhood resolved to take up the calling to which he had been bred, and has ever since devoted himself very successfully to agricultural pursuits. His homestead comprises 170 acres in a fine state of cultivation, with a good set of buildings and all the conveniences for carrying on general farming. He has a very pleasant and comfortable home, whose attractive hospitality is often shared by the many friends of himself and family.

Mr. Ruble was married to Miss Elizabeth Vance. She is a daughter of John and Elizabeth Vance, natives of Ireland, and she was born in that country, in County Fermanagh, Feb. 4, 1853, and in 1870 came with her sister Jane to America. They landed in New York City, came directly to Mt. Carroll, this State, and lived there five years. She was married to our subject in 1875, and their household comprises five children, namely: John V., eleven years old; Henry W., nine years old; Elisha E., seven years old; Alma Edith; Julia E., the eldest, died when one year and nine months old.

In Mr. Ruble his native township finds a valuable civic officer. He has been Constable, has been Collector for two years, and Assessor of the township for one term. He is prominently identified with the Masonic order, is Master Mason, and holds the offices of Deacon and Tyler. He is a solid Republican, and is influential in local politics. He is a man of fine repute, of excellent capabilities, and of sound, practical wisdom, and both in public and private life his character is beyond reproach.