William L. was born in Adams county, Illinois, October 18, 1864, being the son of John D. and Uri (Nichols) Ruddell, natives of Adams county, Illinois, where the mother still lives, the father dying in 1876. A more extended mention of these worthy people is made in another portion of this volume. William's grandfather, John M. Ruddell, was a leader in his county and the Democratic party, and was a member of the state legislature of Illinois. William's grandfather, Nichols, was one of the leading stockmen of Adams county and a good man. Mr. Ruddell died in Missouri when this son was nine years of age. William then went to live with his father's father and there remained until he was of age, receiving a good education. He and his brother George decided to come west, and on October 18, 1885, they landed in Lewiston; for ten years they labored together in various lines, both renting land and buying. Finally, in 1897, our subject purchased his present place of two hundred and forty acres, thirteen miles southeast from Lewiston where he does a general farming business and raises some stock.

On October 12, 1888, Mr. Ruddell married Miss Hattie G., daughter of Isaac and Priscilla (Timmons) Mounce, natives of Indiana and Ohio. To this happy union there have been born four children, all at home and named as follows, Harry, Clair, Ethel, and Mearl. Mrs. Ruddell was born in Iowa on July 6, 1869. Mr. Ruddell is a member of M. W. A., at Lewiston. He and his wife are devout members of the Christian church. Mr. Ruddell is an active Democrat, believing in the stanch old Jeffersonian principles of democracy. He is especially active in the betterment of educational facilities and is now acting as clerk for his district. Mr. Ruddell had three uncles in the Civil war, and W. D. Ruddell was captain. Mrs. Ruddell had four uncles in the same conflict.