Ruggles & Rademaker

Records of the Ruggles & Rademaker of Manistee, Michigan, and of the predecessor land and lumber companies of its co-founder, Charles Ruggles, including the Buckley and Douglas Lumber Co., the Manistee and Northeastern Railroad, and the Emeline Bath Co. of Chicago, Ill.

From the description of Ruggles & Rademaker records, 1868-1931. (University of Michigan). WorldCat record id: 83301894

Charles F. Ruggles was born at Naples, Maine on March 3, 1846. He moved to Wisconsin some time in the 1850s, eventually going into the timber estimating business with his father. Around 1866, he established himself as a lumberman with his headquarters in Manistee, Michigan. Over the years, he acquired timber land in Michigan, Minnesota, California, and the Carolinas.

In 1880, Ruggles as a silent partner was instrumental in guiding the negotiations which led to the partnership between Edward Buckley and William Douglas for purposes of establishing a logging and lumber manufacturing business. In 1886, this firm acquired the Ruddock & Nuttall mill property. The Buckley and Douglas Lumber Company was formally incorporated in 1892.

The following years were marked by litigation between Ruggles and Buckley. In 1906 was awarded one million dollars from Buckley. In 1926, Buckley was awarded one humdred thousand dollars from Ruggles.

In 1920, Ruggles purchased the Buckley & Douglas lumber company in Manistee, and then in partnership with John Henry Rademaker, built and developed what was recognized as the largest salt plant in the world. The two partners would have a falling out, leading to the case of Rademaker v. Ruggles. The plant was sold in 1931 to the Morton Salt Company.

Ruggles died August 21, 1930.

From the guide to the Ruggles & Rademaker records, 1868-1931, (Bentley Historical Library, University of Michigan)