Ruggles was born in Maine on March 3, 1847 and reared in Oshkosh (Wis.). He moved to Manistee (Mich.) with his parents in 1866. Charles F. Ruggles began in real estate and invested in timber lands, lumber camps and mills, banking, and a salt company, Ruggles and Rademaker Salt Company. The R & R Salt Co. was eventually sold to the Morton Salt Co. He bought into the Manistee & Northeastern Railroad. Ruggles attained state-wide noteriety for suing his ex-brother-in-law and partner, Edward Buckley over their partnership in Buckley & Douglas Lumber Co. over a period of 25 years, the longest business suit in Michigan at the time, 1890-1915. He was obsessive and penny-pinching with his business and personal interests. A bachelor, Ruggles died on Aug. 21, 1930 at age 84, rich and apparently mourned only by his dog.
From the description of Business Records, 1856,1941. (Clarke Historical Library). WorldCat record id: 42276196
