RUFFNER, GEORGE C. - Yavapai County, Arizona | GEORGE C. RUFFNER - Arizona Gravestone Photos

George C. RUFFNER

Mountain View Cemetery
Yavapai County,
Arizona

b. Nov. 16, 1862, Mason, Ill.
d. July 23, 1933, Prescott, Az.
COD: Bronchopneumonia /chronic myocarditis
h/o Mary B. (Mollie) (Birchett) Ruffner
(m) April 22, 1891, Prescott, Az. Territory
s/o Harrison Newton & Catherine M. (White) Ruffner
Occ: Yavapai County Sheriff

Note: At the time of their marriage George lived in Mayer, Az. Territory & Mollie lived in Phoenix, Az. Territory

Site # O/012/E

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From: A Historical and Biographical Record of the Territory of Arizona
Published by McFarland & Poole, Chicago, 1896, p. 500

GEORGE C. RUFFNER. The office of sheriff is one that has been filled by the illustrious head of this government, and is a position that demands the exercise of great circumspection, great personal intelligence and a general and apt intelligence.

The County of Yavapai is fortunate in its choice of its present incumbent, George C. Ruffner, who adds to strict integrity the other qualities essential to thorough discharge of the responsibilities connected with the station. Mr. Ruffner is a native of Effingham County, Ill., where his birth occurred November 16, 1862.

His father, H. F. Ruffner, removed to Effingham at an early day, and in the vicinity of that place was engaged in agricultural pursuits, in which work his son, George C., assisted him until he had reached the age of sixteen years, in the meantime receiving but limited educational advantages. At the above-mentioned age he started out to fight the battle of life for himself, and soon made his way to Stillwater, Minn., where he secured employment as a teamster for a considerable period.

The far West had always possessed considerable attractions for him, and in the spring of 1882 he came to Prescott, Arizona Territory, and became a buccora on a cow ranch in Yavapai County, his time and attention being thus occupied for seven years. The two succeeding years were spent in teaming, at the end of which time, his energy and courage led to his appointment to the position of deputy sheriff of the county under J. R. Lowry, in which capacity he served for two years. He won golden opinions for himself in the discharge of his official duties, and these eventually led to his election to the office of county sheriff in 1894 on the Democratic ticket, there being but two Democratic nominees elected that year in the county. He received a majority of four hundred and twenty-six votes, which illustrates admirably the estimation in which he is held by the citizens of the county. He has the reputation of possessing nerves of steel, the utmost coolness in moments of danger and his name has become a terror to the outlaws and toughs which infest the county. Law and order are his watchwords, and these he is determined to preserve at all hazards, and in his official capacity has arrested and been the means of bringing to justice some noted desperadoes and criminals.

In the gentler paths of life he has also manifested admirable traits of character, and in his home is considerate and genial, a cordial host and an amusing companion. In 1891 he was united in marriage with Miss M. Burchert, and their pleasant home is well known for the hospitality which is extended to all.

Contributed on 4/1/05 by jlbranson78
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Record #: 21494

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Submitted: 4/1/05 • Approved: 11/15/13 • Last Updated: 7/13/20 • R21494-G0-S3

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