John M. Ruckman

    John M. Ruckman, for many years editor of the Hartford City News, and postmaster of Hartford City, was born in 1838 in Mercer County, Ohio. His father, Samuel Ruckman, of French descent, was born in Virginia, was a merchant by occupation during his life, and died in 1850, at the age of fifty years. His mother, nee Unity Greer, was born in Trumbull County, Ohio, and is still living at Springfield, that State.

    At the age of fourteen years, Mr. Ruckman, the subject of this sketch, entered the printing office of the Standard, published by the Snyder Brothers, at Celina, Ohio, and began to familiarize himself with the printer's trade, completing his knowledge of the same at Springfield, Columbus and Cincinnati, that State. In October, 1865, he came to Hartford City, purchasing the Hartford City Union, which he published until 1870, when he disposed of the Union, and spent one year and a half at Chicago, Illinois, and Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Returning to Hartford City the latter part of 1871, he purchased the Hartford City Democrat of C. F. Jackson, and commenced the publication of the Hartford City News, a Republcian paper, and continued the publication of the News until January 1, 1885.

    In February, 1880, he was appointed postmaster, which position he held, to the satisfaction of the public, until April 2, 1887, more than two years after the Democratic administration had been inaugurated. On leaving he post-office he reopened his printing office for job work, for which in all its branches he is well prepared.

    He was married in 1875 to Dinnie B. Thomas, of Bartholomew County, Indiana, and their children are -Ortho M. and Eva Kate. Mr. Ruckman has been prominent in the public affairs of the county; in politics is a Republican; is a member of the order of Masons, Odd Fellows and Good Templars, and of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

Source: Biographical and Historical Record of Jay and Blackford Counties, Indiana by The Lewis Publishing Company, 1887.