In 1829 upon the death of his father, John Ruddick in Vermillion county, Illionis, William and Betsy made the decision to sell their property and move on to new country in Arkansas. They selected to purchase a large sum of land there that is now known as "Pea Ridge". Little did they know when they purchased that land that in but 30 some years it would become a famous battle site of the Civil War. 

William and Betsy and children set about to build a hostelry known as the Elk Horn Tavern upon their land as a place for weary travellers to hang their hats and share some good food.  The Tavern was on the famous Telegraph Road that began in St. Louis, Missouri and was to become so important during the Civil War. William set about to set up a town in 1830 that was known as "Sugar Creek". He became a valued citizen of this new community involved in every aspect of community development. The local Baptist Church met at the Elk Horn every Sunday for many years. William was Postmaster among other civic responsibilities.

William's oldest daughter, Julia, was married to Samuel Burks. Mr. Burks sold the Elk Horn Tavern following the death of William in 1852. However, the Inn stayed in the general family as a niece of William's, Polly Parker Cox and husband Jesse Cox. 

It was on that very land that a turning point Battle (in favor of the North) was fought! In classic tradition the Ruddick family actually had members of the family fighting on BOTH sides right there on that famous battle day. (For more information please contact me)

My husban'ds line continues through Joseph Ruddick, son of William. Joseph fought on the side of
Union actually leaving Arkansas during the war and migrating up to Iowa where he joined up. He
returned to Arkansas following the war and he and wife, Mary Louisa Reynolds, settled down to raise 
family. Three children were born to them prior to the war and that remained the size of their family...
Cyrena Josephine, Virginia Elizabeth, and John Tilford.

Cyrena Josephine married Marcus Tillius Cicero Marshall Feb. 27, 1870, right there in Sugar Creek.
They remained there to raise their family of 11 children: John Willy, Nancy Jane, James Franklin,
Mary Elizabeth, Thomas Benton, Ulyssus Sydney, Joseph Clarance, George Washington, Zannie Xeres, 
Alexander and Arthur. One child was lost to them in infancy as well. 

The family moved to neighboring Madison county where Marcus owned and operated a general store for some time, later selling it and opening a sawmill.

Their son, Ulyssus Sydney, is my husband's grandfather. He married Amanda Earle Walden Aug 16, 1907. They moved to Tecamah, NE were they raised their three daughters, Rena Blythe, Cecile, and Virgie who passed away at the all to young age of five years.

Rena Blythe is my husbands mother. She married Gilbert Anthony Zuerlein June 13, 1936.

I have a great deal of information on the Ruddick family, both my direct line and extended family.

1. Robert Ruddick (Ruddock?) b. ca 1670, most likely Ireland
2. William Ruddick b. ca 1691 d. 1754, PA
3. William E. Ruddick b. ca 1723 Chester county, PA d. 1796 Carroll county, NC, m. Ann Cox
4. John Ruddick b. ca 1755 d. 1829 Vermillion county, Ill, m. Catherine Cox
5. William Ruddick b. 1785 TN, d. 1852, Benton county, AR m. Elizabeth "Betsy" Wilson
6. Joseph Ruddick b. 1829, Vermillion county, ILL d. 1915 Benton county, AR m. 
Mary Louisa Reynolds, Sara Clarissa Taylor
7. Cyrena Jospehine Ruddick, b. 1851 d. 1929 Chicago, Ill. while visiting son, m. M.T. C. Marshall
8. U.S. Marshall m. Amanda Earle Walden
9. Rena Blythe Marshall m. G.A. Zuerlein
10. Roger Zuerlein m. Beverly Velvick
11. Our three children
12.  Our four grand children

This is a photo of ElkHorn as it looks today. Many renovations have taken place through the years (ask me if you want the history of them) however,  great care has been taken to keep it as much like the original as possible. It was used as a Union Officers Headquarters and hospital during the famous battle.  This photo is provided by Janice Castleman who visited Pea Ridge recently. Please visit her very informative web page if you would like more history of the Battle of Pea Ridge.