James was born in Pulaski County, Kentucky, and was 6 when his family moved to Marion County, Indiana. While there, he married Mary Eveline Day, daughter of Thomas and Mary Day. James and Mary followed the family migration to Putnam County, Indiana in 1861, and continued to raise their family there. In the 1900 census James was living with his daughter Emma and son-in-law Stephen Roberts. Mary has evidently passed on by this time. I've never found where James and Mary are buried.

• Joseph William Ruark (1853IN-1910IN) - md Eliza Lou Roberts (1859IN-1808IN)
• Thomas Jefferson Ruark (1856IN- ) - md Eliza A. (1855- )
• Jane (Louisa) Ruark (@1858IN- ) - md Woodrum
• James Madison Ruark Jr. (@1861IN- )
• Emma Frances Ruark (1864IN-1928IN) - md Stephen Roberts (1866IN- )
• Harvey Andrew Ruark (@1867IN- ) - md Ella Farmer
• Frank Ruark

If you see anything wrong here, or if you want anything added, PLEASE LET ME KNOW!
All the names shown in bold are my direct ancestors.