Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1863-09-24
Epr. .BaCOb Ruback.


Who aoaS DR. Jacob Ruback ? He was
a German Physician who practced his
profession in this State thirty five years
or more, and was described as a man Of
such natural ability, varied requirements,
and engaging address, that but for his
habits Of intoxicaton, and pecuniary i'm
providence he was such an one as the
people of Vermont would have delighted
to honor. .....
" OF Swedish descent, born near the
city Of Lubbock in Prussia, about 1740-
so wen educated that he became surgeon
in the army of Frederick the Great--he
leaves the army and country on account of
a duel arrives in Quebec-gets inglori
ously drunk eventually becomes sober
and finds 40 his horror that owing to the
maudlin state of his intellect, bis imper-
feet knowledge Of the English language,
or the knavery of the recruiting officer,
he had enlisted into the British army
as sergeant instead of a surgeon.
Soon he deserts, and stops not running
until he arrives among the wooden nut
megs. There he commences his Ameri-
can medical practice = marries a Miss
Hill, and as early as IVA removes to
Rutland County, stopping on his way
thither at the house Of Mr.. John Hall,
then Of Windsor, Mass, afterwards OF
Castleton, Vt
He soon becomes noted as a physician,
not only in Rutland, but for many miles
around, being considered second to none,
except Dr. Marvin Of Tinmouh.
His practice appears to have been good
in IVA, for when the creditors of the run
away tories presented their claims for al
lowance by the Commissioners, Ruback's
namesotten appears ON the list of allow
anees; for example, take the two follow
ing specimens, to wit
sl774-Oet. IL. Due to Jacob Ru-
back from Benjamin Spencer,
gel. BY book, date as per margin, to
balance, G19 lis
"1774-Nov. II. Due to Jacob Ru-
back from Issac Ives, by book
to balance, &c Is
His claims being generally receipted
by James Claghorn.
The day before the battle of Benning
ton, we find him at Bennington, receiving
g warrant from the Council of Safety to
impress horse to ride to Gen Stark's
Headquarters in that town and we are
told he was volunteer in the battle, rem
dering useful service as a surgeon for our
wounded soldiers, and as an interpreter to
the captured Hessians.
On the 10Th of October following,
james Fay, as Secretly of the Council of
Safety, gives him certificate, to whom it
may concern, s'that Doct. Jacob Ruback
being friend of his country has full
power from this Council to take his es
tate where it may DO found-p proving his
properly"
Eight days after the first Legislature
of the State meets, Ruback is appointad
Surgeon of the companies of Captains
Allen and Clark.
The next June his petition is taken in
to consideration by the Legislature, and a
committee appointed TO examine and re-
port thereon, but what the petition was
about does not appear.
Benjamin Whipple and Thomas Saw
yer being appointed the 10Th December,
ITS, commissioners to adjust the claims
of the creditors of tories, "Jacob Ru-
back, Clerk is an Official signature to
their report thereon, dated the Oath of
March, 1879.
The War Office at SALISBURY, on the
18th of May, 1779, resolved that the Cap
tain General be directed to issue com
mission to Doctor Jacob Ruback, but does
not diyulge the nature of the commits
sion.