Biography of Thomas Ruffin

Thomas Ruffin, Jr. was born in Hillsboro, North Carolina on September 21, 1824. He graduated from the University of North Carolina in 1844 and was a lawyer in Alamance County.

Ruffin joined the Confederate army as captain of E company, 13th North Carolina in April 1861. He eventually rose to lieutenant colonel of the regiment by May 1, 1862. Ruffin resigned his commission on March 2, 1863 to become Judge of a military court in the Trans-Mississippi Department.

After the War, Ruffin served on the North Carolina Supreme Court from 1881 to 1885. He died on May 23, 1889 and was buried in Hillsboro at St. Matthews Episcopal Church.