The "grim reaper" visited the home of Dr. Francis Kittridge and the good doctor could do nothing.

Ruel W. Kittridge, the only son of Dr. Francis M. and Almira Kittridge, was born in Chemsford, Massachusetts, on September 12, 1839.

Prompted by gold and new opportunities, the Kittridge family joined the western migration to California in 1849 and later made their way to Santa Cruz in 1851. After completing elementary school, Ruel worked as a laborer. He was described as being about five feet inches in height; light complexioned with hazel colored eyes and brown hair.

On September 11, 1861, one-day prior to his twenty- second birthday, Ruel Kittridge enlisted in Company L of the 2nd California Cavalry. He accompanied the cavalry troop to Camp Alert in San Francisco and trained with them for the next six months. While at that location, Kittridge contracted a slight cold caught from exposure during the cold damp winter of 1862. His cold continued to worsen until his prognosis was changed to consumption (tuberculosis).

By July of 1862 Ruel's health had deteriorated to the point where it was necessary to medically discharge him and return him to his home in Santa Cruz where he died on February 28, 1863. Ruel Kittridge was buried in the family plot in Evergreen Cemetery in Santa Cruz.

(CMWR, Pg. 289; MAHL; SCSn November 12, 1972)