The Shemwell Family

History of Randolph County, Arkansas by Lawrence Dalton (1946/47) - pp 329-330 Dr. Horace Ewing Ruff was elected representative of Randolph county in the lower house of the General Assembly and served the terms of 1905 and 1907. He was elected senator from the 26th district, composed of the counties of Cleburne, Conway, Van Buren, and Searcy, and served in the sessions of 1915 and 1917. In 1900 he was chairman of the Randolph County Democratic Committee; a member of the Arkansas State Democratic Central Committee and a delegate to, and attended every Democratic convention from Little Black township to the National Democratic Convention in Kansas City. The Ruff family are good Democrats and Methodists. Dr. Ruff was commissioned first lieutenant in the Medical Corps of the Arkansas National Guard, October 30, 1915; promoted to captain, June 19, 1916; major, January 8, 1917; on the Mexican border at Deming, New Mexico, with the first Arkansas Infantry, 1916 and 1917. Later served with the National Guard Division at Camp Beraregard, Ls., from November, 1917, to March, 1918. Major Ruff was sent overseas in May, 1918, where he joined the Third Division of the U. S. Army as surgeon of the 7th Infantry. He was in practically all the engagements fought by this U. S. Army. His outfit was in the Meuse-Argonne over 30 days. He was wounded and gassed at Cunel, France, October 21, 1918. After two month’s hospitalization he rejoined his outfit at Andernach-on-the-Rhine and arrived at Camp Pike, Arkansas, September 1, 1919. He was later commissioner in the Medical Corps, January 9. 1926. Colonel Ruff was recommended for the Distinguished Service Cross, received the Purple Heart, Order of the Silver Star. These medals were publicly presented to Colonel Ruff by Colonel (now President) Harry Truman at Camp Pike, Arkansas. He also was given a Mexican border medal and French Medal of Honor. After discharge from the Army, he was appointed general medical examiner and chairman of the rating board for 10 years.