ruudo
Transcribed from "An Illustrated History of The
Big Bend Country, embracing Lincoln, Douglas, Adams and Franklin counties,
State of Washington", published by Western Historical Publishing
Co., 1904.
OLE RUUD is one of the most substantial
men of Douglas county, and perhaps no other settler is as well known in
his section of the country as he. Doubtless, too, no other man in
Washington is as well acquainted with Douglas county as Mr. Ruud.
Since 1884 he has been surveyor of the county and although he is a Republican
in politics, and his name appears on that ticket, still he is the recipient
of the confidence of all parties and has given a general and thorough satisfaction
during his long term of service.
Ole Ruud was born in Parish Hole, Norway,
on December 24, 1847, the son of Ole and Johanna (Vig) Ruud, natives of
the same place as our subject. The father is deceased, but the mother
is still living in Norway. After attending the common schools of
his native country, Ole was confirmed in the Lutheran church and then finished
his education in the agricultural college of Aws, Norway, in 1870.
After that he was engaged in the mercantile, lumber business, and farming
there until 1879, the year in which he came to the United States.
He landed in Hamilton county, Iowa, and engaged in various occupations
there including coal mining and so forth. Later, he sold the property
that he had acquired and came on to San Francisco. From there, he
journeyed on to Portland, then to Walla Walla and finally came out to Brents
postoffice in 1882. In May of the following year, in company with
John Bannick he came to Douglas county and arrived here on the eight of
the month. On the 12th of May, 1883, he posted a notice on a claim
he had selected, it being at the foot of Badger mountain, and is two and
three-fourths miles due south of Waterville. The only flowing water
in that section is on Mr. Ruud's farm. He had added three fourths
of a section to this and now has an excellent estate which is laid out
with the best of wisdom and taste and is a model Washington farm.
On the 17th of May after his location he had the ground prepared and planted
a crop of potatoes which was the first crop in the Waterville section.
Mr. Ruud had to endure the hardships incident to pioneer life and knows
what it is to labor hard with scant supplies. In 1884, under the
territorial government he was selected surveyor and since then has been
in that office. He had studied civil engineering and surveying in
the old country. In addition to the occupation mentioned, Mr. Ruud
also does stock breeding and has a fine herd of graded cattle. He
has three brothers and one sister, Andrew, Martin, Christian, Olava.
At Waterville, on November 24, 1892, Mr. Ruud
married Miss Christina Larson, the daughter of Lars M. and Sara S. (Jenson)
Larson, both natives of Sweden. Mrs. Ruud was born in Lind Brufal,
Sweden, on September 9, 1864, and came to the United States on April 13,
1883. To this union six children have been born, Agnes I. J., Signe
Kristiana Jane, Synneva Augusta O., Karl Oliver, Albert Martin, and Gustav
Adolph. Mr. Ruud is a member of the Old Settlers Association of Douglas
county, while he and his wife belong to the Lutheran church. They
are highly respected people and have labored faithfully for the advancement
of the interests of Douglas county since coming here.
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