THE RUDDICK CABIN

Setting off of Morman Ridge Road in northwest Marshall County IA is the Ruddick family cabin...a bit of history from a time when pioneer families struggled to settle a “new” land.

According to Bangor Township records that began in 1859, it was built by William C. Ruddick about 1856.  By 1859, he owned 200 acres of land, 5 parcels of 40-acres each, from the Iowa River and to the top of the ridge. Ruddick and his wife, Absillet, both from Indiana, arrived in Marshall County in 1856. The 1860 census records indicate William was 38 years old, his wife was 36. They had a daughter Mary, age 11, a son William, 9,  and an 8 month old son Isaac. Another son, Jesse, was born a few years later. In 1869 the Ruddick family had increased their possessions to nine cattle, two horses, two and a half mules, twenty sheep, ten swine, two vehicles, and other taxable items worth $50. His total worth was $1,870.

When Ruddick died in 1871, he left the land to his minor sons Isaac and Jesse. They kept the property until 1895.  The property went through many hands until 1989 when it was "rediscovered" as a log cabin.  Over the years improvements had been made and covered the original walls. 



View to the east from the front porch

The 16’ x 20’ cabin was donated to the Marshall County Conservation Board in November 1989 and the Conservation Board and MarshallCounty HistoricalSociety began plans for renovation and preservation of the cabin. Restoration work was a cooperative venture and with assistance from Eagle Scout candidate, Mark Lamer who  re-chinked all spaces between logs. Native trees were planted and a split rail fence was installed.

View to the south from the front porch