Although most of Thomas and Rachel Ruark's children remained near their parents in Putnam County, Peter stayed until 1872, when he followed his uncle to Wayne County, Iowa. I've always had the feeling that Peter was the black sheep of the family, possibly due to him moving away. The Ruark clan carried on family names quite a bit, yet there's a curious absence of any children named Peter in the other branches of the family. Also, when Thomas died, he left land to all his children - except Peter. Peter filed suit against his brothers and sisters, but without success. Apparently Thomas had been very specific in his will.

Peter's uncle, Peter Ruark Jr., had moved to Wayne County around 1850.

• Elizabeth Ruark (1850IN- ) - md James K. Polk Farmer (@1846- ) in 1866, probably in Putnam County, IN. The first 4 children were born in Putnam County, and the next 4 were born after the family had moved to Wayne County, Iowa. In the 1900 census James is found in Mill Bayou Twp., Arkansas Co., AR with the youngest two children. He had been a widower by this time - Elizabeth had passed away.
  • Cora Farmer (@1869IN- )
  • Chares Farmer (@1870IN- )
  • Cynthia Farmer (@1872IN- )
  • Mary Farmer (@1873IN- )
  • Emma Farmer (@1875IA- )
  • Nora Farmer (@1876IA- )
  • Dora Farmer (@1878IA- )
  • Ernest James Farmer (1879IA- )
  • Pleasant S. Farmer (1887IA- )
  • Goldie E. Farmer (1888IA- )
• James T. Ruark (1850IN- ) - md Alice M. (1850IN- ) around 1871. James and Alice stayed in Putnam County when Peter and the rest of the family moved. In the 1900 census they were renting a home, and James worked as a machinist. All 4 children were still living, and all except Annie were still living at home.
  • Ida I. Ruark (1872- )
  • Albert A. Ruark (1875- )
  • Annie B. Ruark (@1877- )
  • Flossie Ruark (1885- )
• William Ruark (1854IN- )
• Peter Alvin Ruark (1856IN-1928IA) - md (1) Nancy Dyer (1858IL-1917IA). Peter moved with his parents in 1872 from Putnam Co., IN to Wayne County, Iowa. He stayed here until 1887, when he moved to Clarke County, Iowa, where he lived until moving back to Wayne County in 1925. The year after Nancy's death he married (2) Matilda Jackson, who passed away in 1921. In 1924 he then married (3) Eliza Cook.
  • Alvin A. Ruark (1878IA- ) - md Myrtle Chamberlain (1876IA-1960IA)
    • Cecil Ruark (1900IA- )
  • Alice C. Ruark (1881IA-1967) - md Samuel E. Reish in 1903 in Osceola, IA.
    • Paul Reish
    • Bruce Reish
    • Gertrude Reish (@1915-1999) - Descendants Living
  • Winnie P. Ruark (1883IA- )
  • Marion A. Ruark (1887IA- )
  • Floyd N. Ruark (1889IA- )
  • Bertha E. Ruark (1897IA- )
• Eliza Ruark (@1858IN- ) - md Albert Jenkins
• Mary Ruark (@1861IN- )
• John W. Ruark (1863IN- ) - md Anna J. (1873IA- )
  • Stella M. Ruark (1894IA- )
  • Alfred L. Ruark (1896IA- )
  • Claude S. Ruark (1899IA- )
• Rachel Ruark (@1865IN- )
• Charles Newton Ruark (1866IN- ) - md Winefred M. Hastings (1869IA- )

If you see anything wrong here, or if you want anything added, PLEASE LET ME KNOW!