| WOODSON COUNTIES, KANSAS. | 411 cont'd |
SIMON P. RUBLE.
SIMON P. RUBLE came to Allen county in 1866 from Centre county, Pennsylvania, which is the place of his nativity, his natal day being February 1, 1840. The family is of German lineage and was founded in America by the great-grandfather of our subject, who was born in Germany, but crossed the Atlantic to the new world and participated in the early Indian wars which form an important chapter in the annals of America. His son, Peter Ruble, and grandfather of our subject, was born in Muffin county, Pennsylvania, and served with the American army in the war of 1812. His early political support was given the Whig party, and on its dissolution he joined the Republican party. He read extensively and always kept well informed on the issues and questions of the day, political and otherwise. He was married in Juniata county, Pennsylvania, and unto them were born four sons and two daughters, namely: Mrs.
| 412 | HISTORY OF ALLEN AND |
Hartswick, Mrs. Basor, John, Peter, Michael and Mathias. The father passed away in 1882.
Of his family, Peter Ruble Jr., became the father of our subject. He was born and reared in Centre county, Pennsylvania, and throughout his life carried on agricultural pursuits. He entered upon his independent business career without capital, save a strong constitution and a willingness to work, yet steadily he advanced on the road to affluence, becoming one of the wealthy farmers of Centre county. He died March 3, 1877, at the age of seventy-three years. His wife bore the maiden name of Margaret Meas, and was a daughter of Martin Meas, who was formerly connected with the Valentine Iron Works, of Centre county. Three children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Ruble: Simon P.; James, who died leaving a family at State College, Centre county, Pennsylvania; and Margaret, who became the wife of William Love, and at her death left a family in Center county.
Simon P. Ruble was educated in the common schools of his native county, and remained upon his father's farm until twenty-three years of age, when he purchased a mill, which he operated for eight years. After traveling for a number of years in different states, he came to Kansas in 1884, locating in Allen county. He purchased what is known as the Weller farm, adjoining Iola, and still resides upon that property, devoting his time to its further cultivation and improvement. He is systematic and methodical in his business and has achieved creditable success.
On Christmas Day, of 1866, in Pennsylvania, Mr. Ruble was united in marriage to Miss Ellen Lee, a daughter of John Lee, who was one of the early settlers of Centre county and who married Miss Jane Livingston. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Ruble have been born eight children, five sons and three daughters, namely: Anna, wife of Prof. J. W. Stevens, of the agricultural College at Stillwater, Oklahoma; James, who is connected with the smelters at Cherryvale, Kansas; Calvin, who is with the Lanyon Zinc Company, of Iola; Mamie Bertha, Elmer, Ella and Grace, who are still at home. Mr. Ruble always votes the Republican ticket. He has filled the office of justice of the peace and has several times served as a school officer. As the architect of his own fortunes he has builded wisely and well, and his life illustrates what may be accomplished through consecutive effort when guided by practical business judgment.
Pages 411-412, transcribed by Carolyn Ward from History of Allen and Woodson Counties, Kansas: embellished with portraits of well known people of these counties, with biographies of our representative citizens, cuts of public buildings and a map of each county / Edited and Compiled by L. Wallace Duncan and Chas. F. Scott. Iola Registers, Printers and Binders, Iola, Kan.: 1901; 894 p., [36] leaves of plates: ill., ports.; includes index.
