Scholarship Info

REASON FOR OUR "EXISTENCE"

(as submitted by Max L. Gum, President)

The Ruckman Reunion has been incorporated as of July 1, 1988.  The Ruckman Reunion became the Ruckman Heritage Foundation and received Articles of Incorporation in West Virginia, as a non-profit organization.  This was necessary because of the collecting and distributing of money through the Ruckman Heritage Scholarship Fund.  The Articles of Incorporation were finalized by our new Secretary, Tim Ruckman, at the request of the Scholarship Committee.  We appreciate so much, the work of the committee and the retiring President, Lyn Cochran and Secretary, Keith Ruckman. 

Ruckman Ancestors and Education: A Historical Perspective

Quoted from the 1981 Pocahontas County History " The vicinity of Marvin Chapel was rather noted as an educational center early in the century.

John McNulty and William Auldridge had their homes there, and taught school.  Early in the 1830's, David L. Ruckman taught several sessions.  He was succeeded by Joseph Fields from Nelson County, then Mr. Frazier, a Scothman, about 1840; then James E. Moore, Charles Ruckman, 1841, Col.John W. Ruckman, 1846, John H. Ruckman, 1848, Joseph Moore, 1850, and Clark Kincaid, 1851"

This school was located at the present Ruckman Cemetery, which is .3 miles off Route 219, .7 miles north of Mill Polint WV., and was burned during the Civil War.  The land for the present Ruckman School, located at the eleven mile marker on Route 219 north of Mill Point, WV, was given by Col. John W. Ruckman and his wife Margaret Ann Moore, in June of 1869. 

This was the first public "free" school in Little Levels District and was always known as Number 1 Ruckman School.  The First teacher was Cornelius Stulting, uncle of the noted auther Pearl Sydenstricker Buck.

David L. Ruckman's will of 1845 states "It is my wish and desire that all the children should have as much schooling as they can conveniently get; and that it be paid for out of their respective shares of the estate". 

THUS, THE RUCKMAN SCHOLARSHIP WAS BEGUN.