Biography

Samuel B. Ruggles was a lawyer and politician.  Born in Connecticut into the Ruggles family (Chief Judge Charles Herman Ruggles was his cousin) he graduated from Yale College at the age of 14.  After quite successfully practicing law a number of years, in the 1830s he took interest in politics.  In 1836 he was elected into the State Legislature, and was a strong advocate for canal systems in New York state.  In 1839 he was elected Canal Commissioner and in 1840 became President of the Canal Board, which he served for 18 years.  He was also considered a trusted advisor and friend of William Henry Seward, who, during his time as Governor, had elected Ruggles head of the Canal Board, and also appointed him a member of his Council.  Following his retirement from the Canal Board, Ruggles went on to be a prominent member of the NY Chamber of Commerce.  Additionally, Ruggles was quite the land-owner and provided the land in New York City which became Gramercy Park.  
He was married to Mary Rosalie Rathbone Ruggles, and they had two children, James F. Ruggles, and Ellen Ruggles Strong, wife of attorney George Templeton Strong.