by Edmund Starling, 1886

JOHN THOMAS RUBY was born in Henderson County October 19th, 1846, and was educated from the Common Schools of the State. The place of his birth is now in Wester, that county having been formed in 1860 from a portion of Henderson, Hopkins and Union. Mr. Ruby's paternal grandfather, John B. Ruby, was one of the earliest settlers in the Green River country. His maternal grandfather was Joseph Fuquay, also one of the earliest settlers. and in very early times, the proprietor of the leading hotel here. His father was a long time, the proprietor of the leading hotel here. His father was B. S. Ruby, born in what is now Webster County, in the year 1809. His mother, Lockey Fuquay, born in the same county in the year 1814. They were married in the year 1837 and four children were born unto them--Mary, Judith, Delia and John T., our subject. All four of the children are living and married. The father of our subject followed farming all of his life. The subject of this sketch was raised to a farmer's life, but, upon attaining to his majority, engaged in merchandising at Vandersburg, Webster County, and pursued that calling for ten years. On the twenty-second day of July, 1869, he married Miss Alice Orr, of Webster, and four children live to bless the parental household, Maude, a young lady of great beauty and personal charms, Ed. Bayne, Clint. and Ashby. In October, 1877, Mr. Ruby removed with his family to Henderson and embarked largely in the purchase and sale of stoves, tinware and general household goods. His trade has increased, and additions have been made to his stock until to-day his great three-story Main Street emporium resolves itself into a miniature exposition, being literally packed with necessary household goods and fancy articles charming to the eye. In addition to a varied assortment of stoves of all designs and make, he manufactures largely tin, sheet iron and copper ware. By dint of industry and close application, Mr. Ruby has built for himself a large trade, one of which he is justly proud. In religion he is a member of the Christian or Reformed Church, having attached himself to that denomination in 1874. He is a Prohibitionist of the strictest type, and is an indefatigable worker in the temperance cause, not that he fears for himself, but that he may benefit his race. In this Mr. Ruby is sincere; he is no croaker, no radical; he feels for the frailties of man, and, in place of dealing in abuse, he deals gently, encouraging the unfortunate to better ways and a happier life. He is guided by sympathy alone. In politics he holds it a right to vote as he chooses, at all times selecting as his judgment dictates, the best man. he is an open, frank, Christian gentleman. He is popular with every one, and wields an influence second to none when he chooses to exercise that power. There are few better posted men and few that can defeat him in any enterprise, political or otherwise, when he takes a part to win. He was never an office seeker himself, although he has done magnificent work in behalf of several of his friends. he has served, with credit to himself, as Trustee of the Public School, but only for a short term. The History of Henderson County, Kentucky by Starling 1887 page 687-88;