Orange County observer. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1880-1918, 1889-06-01
JUDGE RUFFIN.

006S I
Thomas Rufin from the Raleigh
Nems and Observer of the 24th inst.
making some slight changes +.
The announcement of the death
Of Hon. Thomas RufEn, while not
unexpected, Will be received with
great pain all over the State. The
sad event which took place yester-
day morning, removed u Of Tie
most distinguished North CAROLYN
ians OF this period, well-known
throughout the borders Of this State
and universally esteemed tor his
learning, integrity and worth.
lie was the fourth son OF Chief JUS
tice Rufin aud vas born September
2l.t, 1924. He entered the Unive-
sity in 1910 in a class Of which w al.
ter Steele, James HorHer, Robin
Jones, Geo. Wetmore and Colonel
YelIosly were members, and gradu.
ated with distinction in 1874. Com
ing early to the bar be located in
Rockingham. but removed TO Ora
ham in 1888 aud resided there at the
breaking out Of the war. The writer
Of this was at that time a student at
law with William Kufin, at Haw
River, and together they took leave
OF the family at the old homestead.
Thomas Rufin, on the fall o: Fort
Sumter, answered the call OF the
South aud assumed the garb Of a
solder, going as a private in the
Orange Guards TO Fort Macon April
20, 1861. He was commissioned Cap
tam OF Company E, 18th Regiment,
n. c. Troops, on May Sd, 1861.
Later Gov. Clark appointed him
Judge of the Superior Court, and he
held one term, aud then returned to
the army. He was promoted to the
Lieutenant olonelcy Of his regimen,
in March, 1862, and proved a most
capable aud efficient officer. He was
wounded 10 the severe fight at South
Mountain in September, 1862, just
previous to the battle o. Sharpsburg,
aud resigned in 1868.
He was subsequently appointed q
member Of the corps court Of the
Western army.
After the var his la practice be-
coming most important at Green's
boro he removed TO that place, but
eventually returned to Hillsboro,
where lie resided at the time of his
death. He was associated ia bust.
ness with Judge billiard until be re-
moved from Greensboro, and with
Major Graham from June, 1875, to
February, 1881, when on the res
:gnatlon OF Judge billiard, be himself
was appointed his successor. On
the bench Judge Rufin conspicuous.
~ displayed those high qualities tina.
had 80 distinguished him at the bar
An earnest student and possessed
of a MUD singularly logical and
clear, he took high rauk in his pro-
ic-sion, aud indeed some very CON
pe,ent Judges Intimately acquainted
with h.m and Chief Justice Rufin
have thought him in some regards
not inferior TO that illustrious jurist
} He was notable for his great clear
ness and viyor OF mind, tenacity o
purpose, aud strong will and deter
mination, AS an advocate he was
I most careful in preparation ant
managed his cases with great address
Particularly did he excel as +;
draugbtsman. His legal instruments
J, were models of conciseness ane
! cleverness. His health failing he re
signed his position or the Supreme
Court in September, 1888, and agar
|, associated himself with Maj. Jno. w
: Graham, in the practice of the law
, Since then his health has been varla
, bic, at intervals giving great appre
. tension to his friends.
. On June 16, 1858, Judge Ruff
married Mary, a daughter OF Wm
: Cain, Esq, and that lovely lady, to
gether with several children survives
him.
While q man Of business, Jodg'
0 Rufin was not neglected. of tn
greater concerns of life. He vas
Il member of the Protestant Episcopa
# Church, and the evening previous L
e his death, notwithstanding his grea
debility, when his pastor called, b
6 took communion with his wife an
daughter, making his response
clear and distinct. Thus has passe'
away one of the most estimable Gen
It tlemen of our times.
He was conscious to the very las
leaving messages Of affection for at
sent relatives and friends. Wi.
n for,itdde and resignation be met hi
y, end, saying that death had no tel
rors tor him. Loyal to his State an
her institutions, he lived withou
fear and died without r~eproach-a