Neighbor Reuben Ruby and wife, Rachel Humphrey welcome their son, William Wilberforce Ruby, named after the prominent British Abolitionist. He becomes an important figure in the City of Portland’s history and in preserving the Abyssinian, Niles and Ruby houses in the Great Fire of Portland in 1866. William’s mother Rachel was born in Hingham, Massachusetts in 1805. His younger brother, George Thompson was born in 1839 while the Rubys were in New York and brother Horatio F. was born in September 10, 1843 when Ruby was in New York as well.
History of the Niles Family & Neighborhood