Sudden Death of Prof. S. V. Ruby at Ursinus College
Special Despatch to “The Press.”
Collegeville, March 12. – Samuel Vernon Ruby, A. M., Ph. D., professor of English at Ursinus College, died this morning of apoplexy. He left his home at about 8 o”clock to attend the chapel exercises in Bomberger Hall, which is situated across the campus from the Ruby residence. When he reached the foot of the steps, at the main entrance, he fell and was assisted into the chapel by two of the students. He was attacked by a violent fit of vomiting and soon sant into unconsciousness.
Samuel Vernon Ruby was born at Carlisle, Pa., on May 22, 1832, and was graudated from Franklin and Marshall College, Lancaster, in August 1853. He read law at Lancaster with Hon. Thaddeus Stevens, and was admitted to the Cumberland County bar in 1858. In April, 1861, he enlisted as a private, and became first lieutenant of Company A, Seventh Regiment, Pennsylvania Reserves. On May 5, 1864, at the Battle of the Wildernes, his regiment was captured, and Lieutenant Ruby spent ten months in prison. Upon his release he was appointed first lieutenant in Hancock”s Corps of Veteran Volunteers, and was subsequently promoted to captain. He was judge advocate of the military district of Alexandria from June, 1863 to April 1864, and was also judge advocate and assistant inspector general at Camp Butler, Illinois, a part of 1865 and 1866.
His educational career began at Dayton, Ohio, as principal of the Third District Grammar School. In 1868, he became professor of ancient languages and belles letters, in Palatinate College, Myerstown. In 1872, he was elected to the chair of English at Ursinus. Professor Ruby was the author of a number of poems, the principle of which is “Napoleon”s Retreat From Moscow,” and “Spring a Pennsylvania Idyl.”
Currently a resident of Burke, Virginia - I'm originally from the City of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. I have been a student of the Pennsylvania Reserves since 1997 and thoroughly enjoy telling their story. By trade I'm a former IT Professional but presently working as a Letter Carrier for the United States Postal Service.
