California Biographies

Transcribed by Peggy Hooper

This file is part of the California Genealogy & History Archives 
http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~cagha/index.htm

Source:
History of the state of California and biographical record of the San Joaquin 
Valley, California. An historical story of the state's marvelous growth from 
its earliest settlement to the present time.
Prof. James Miller Guinn , A. M.
The Chapman Publishing Co., Chicago 1905
Notes: Missing Page: 865-866,983-984,1175-1176


JAMES G. RUDDLE. The Merced River Roller Mills, two and a half miles from Snelling, 
are owned and operated by James G. Ruddle, one of the popular and successful farmers and 
millers of this section. He was born in Merced county January 7, 1862, and represents one of 
the pioneer families of '49. His parents, John and Anna E. (Hardwick) Ruddle, came from 
Missouri during that memorable year, the father attaining to prominence as an agriculturist and 
stock-raiser, and accumulating a competence which enables him to live a comfortable retired 
life. 

James G. Ruddle has spent his entire life on a farm, and has been independent of the paternal 
resources since completing his education in the public school of Merced county. His commodi- 
ous house is located on a hill above the Merced river, from which one can gain a view of this 
entire part of the valley. He owns four thousand acres devoted to stock and grain, and his 
mill, fitted with modern roller machinery, has a daily output of one hundred barrels. Mr. Rud- 
dle has the latest and most practical improvements on his farm, and mill and farm constitute 
one of the finest and most paying combinations in Merced county. He installed the electric light 
plant at Merced Falls, the first water power plant in the county, and was one of the organiz- 
ers of the Merced Falls Electric Company. Since his boyhood days he has been a constant and 
hard worker, careful and conscientious in the performance of whatever tasks came his way. 
Generous and public-spirited, his interests have by no means been confined within the borders of 
his valuable property, but have extended to the political and general upbuilding of his native 
county, and have brought him the good-will and appreciation of his fellow townsmen. 

Mr. Ruddle is an honored member of the Knights of Pythias Lodge, and in politics is a 
Democrat. He married into another pioneer family of the coast, his wife being Annette, 
daughter of John Stockard, a California settler of 1852. The children of the Ruddle household 
are: John, Allen, Edwin, Annette and Alice.