Pioneers of Ellis County Henry J. Ruffin Family Contributed by Virginia Crilley Henry J. Ruffin and his family moved to the Alma Community around  1886. He was born April 13, 1845 in Talbot County Georgia, the son of James and Sarah Averett Ruffin. Henry Ruffin married  Winnie Virginia "Jennie" Jinks in Taylor County  Dec. 31, 1868.  She was the daughter of Willis and Nicey Martin Jinks, also of Taylor County, Georgia. Henry Ruffin served in Co F- 3rd Battalion (Alabama) which joined Hilliard's Alabama Legion and  eventually became Co. D. 60th Ala. Regt.  He enlisted June 10 1862 in Columbus, Ga.and served throughout the war. They moved to Texas with seven children and three more sons were born in Texas. Children: Martha "Mattie"  Elizabeth (b. Jan. 17, 1869; m.Wm Fletcher Flacher Sands 1889) Elem Casroe "E. C." b.Dec.12, 1871 m.Louella Calhoun 1894 George Tolliver "G.T.". b. May 31, 1875; m. Lula C .Fort 1897 Allen Tillman "Till" b.Sept. 4, 1876 m. Lillie Mae Brown 1903 William Harrison b. May 3, 1879 m. Laura Whitfill 1903 Sally Lee b. May 28, 1881; m.George W.Collard 1899 Willis C. b. Jan.2, 1884 m. Willie E.Brown 1907 Rupert A.  b. Mar. 5, 1888 m. Minnie Barron 1912 James Tollie b. June 30, 1890;  d. Oct. 9, 1891 Claude Jinks  b. July 3, 1892 m. Imogene Grimes 1920 Henry farmed but also was in the mercantile business in Alma. He served as a trustee on the school board 1897-1898 (Loli School #44)  and 1898-1899 (Alma School District #46.)  He gave the land for the Alma School built in 1912, and served as "Judge and chairman" to preside over the primary election July 28, 1906. Jennie Ruffin died suddenly of a stroke Oct. 18, 1915  and Henry died of a stroke July 10, 1916.  Both are buried in the Rice Cemetery as are their sons, James T. and G.T. who preceded them in death.   Henry J. Ruffin (1845-1916)and wife, Winnie Virginia "Jennie" Jinks Ruffin (1852-1915) Photo taken in Ellis County around 1900. He farmed, but also had a store in Alma ca 1900 (later Wright's store) and was active in the community serving as School Trustee (1897-1899). He gave the land for the 1912 Alma School building.    Copyright © 2006-2016, Ellis County TXGenWeb. All Rights Reserved. This page was last modified: Thursday, 01-Jul-2021 13:30:09 MDT