C A Ruddock Dead

Former Pastor of Local Congregation
Died on Christmas Day
at the home of Rev. and Mrs. Lodwick
in Oshkosh Wisconsin.

News of the death of Rev. C. A. Ruddock, who was pastor of the Congregational church here a number of years, reached Lyle friend Saturday. It was not known that he was sick and the news was sad indeed. During the stay of the family here they made many warm friends and their good work in the school, church and community is certainly appreciated. He was one of the strongest temperance workers that ever labored in this community and his influence can never be measured. The following sketch is taken from the Daily Northwestern of Oshkosh, Wis., under date of Dec. 26, 1912.

Rev. Chas. A. Ruddock, a veteran pastor in the Congregational church, passed away 10 o'clock Christmas morning at the manse of the Plymouth Congregational church. Death followed a week's illness with complications, and came at the age of 78 years.

The deceased was the father of Mrs. Nellie Lodwick, wife of Rev. William Lodwick, pastor of the Plymouth church, with whom he had resided since last summer. Of a family of eight children, only three daughters survive. They are Mrs. Lodwick, Miss Caroline May Ruddock, who attends Columbia University, and Miss Edith Lou Ruddock, who is studying at the university of Wisconsin. Both the latter are in the city, having been called here by their father's illness.

Funeral services will be held at the manse, 144 Church street, at 8 o'clock Friday evening. The pastors in charge will be Rev. W. H. Jones of the First Baptist temple and Rev. D. Jenkins Williams of the First Presbyterian church. The interment will be at Cannon Falls, Minn.

The deceased was active in church work for a period of over fifty years. Born at Pitcher, N. Y. July 12, 1834, he began his pastorate in the state of New York, at the age of about 22 years. He came west to Minnesota in 1874, and pioneer work as a home missionary, organizing many churches some of which are now strong, self-supporting institutions of several hundred members each.

His last active charge was at Lyle, Minn., where in the summer of 1907 he and Mrs. Ruddock celebrated the fiftieth anniversary of their marriage, which was also the golden anniversary. In December of the same year Mrs. Ruddock passed away.

Mr. Ruddock appeared in local pulpits frequently last summer and as late as two weeks ago. He preached in the union church services an also took Mr. Lodwick's place at times in the Plymouth church. Those who have heard him in Oshkosh praise his ability highly, for he was a strong preacher. His last sermon was presented two weeks ago, when he delivered an impressive discourse on "Patience."

Mr. Ruddock was also a poet of excellent ability, and had published a book a poems and songs. He was an earnest and effective worker along temperance lines, and at preset time word comes from two of the towns in which he formerly worked that saloons are being abolished, principally because of the agitation he promulgated.

The deceased was a man of winsome attractive personality. In the short time he had been in Oshkosh he won many friends, for he was of the type of pastor who entered the lives of others. With his great patience and forbearance, it may be truthfully said that he fairly exemplified the gospel which he preached.

Mr. Ruddock's death, coming on Christmas day, was a sad blow to the family, the more so because of its suddenness. During his residence here he had come to take an active part in the family and his loss will be irreparable to Mr. and Mrs. Lodwick and the children.