Memorable Manitobans: John Henry Ruddell (1859-1906)

Harness maker, MLA (1900-1903), MLA (1903-1907).

Born in Nelson Township, Ontario on 6 August 1859, son of George Ruddell and Christina Stewart, he was educated at Brussels, Ontario. He then apprenticed as a harness maker at Blythe, Ontario. He came to Manitoba in May 1879 and established a harness business at Nelson. He then moved to Morden where he was engaged in the same business until about 1897 when he established the real estate firm of Ruddell, Pickel and Hobbs.

In 1881 he married Fannie L. Grummett. They had five children: Gertrude, Harold, Bertha, Vera, and Gladis. His wife died in 1895 and he remarried to Janet Hunt. He was for several years a member of the Morden town council and also occupied the office of Mayor of Morden. A strong supporter of the Conservative party, he was the successful candidate for Morden in the provincial elections of 1899 and 1903. In religion he was a Presbyterian.

Ruddell died in Morden on 17 April 1906.

Sources:

A History of Manitoba: Its Resources and People by Prof. George Bryce, Toronto: The Canadian History Company, 1906.

Pioneers and Early Citizens of Manitoba, Winnipeg: Manitoba Library Association, 1971.

Profile revised: 30 November 2009

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