[1] Ruggles was born on February 10, 1789, in New Milford, Litchfield County, Connecticut.

He graduated from Litchfield Law School in 1803, was admitted to the bar and began practice in Kingston, New York.

[2] He was a member from Sullivan and Ulster Counties of the New York State Assembly in 1820.

[3] Ruggles was elected as a Federalist to the 17th United States Congress, and served from December 3, 1821, to March 3, 1823.

He became Chief Judge after the resignation of Greene C. Bronson in April 1851 and remained on this post until the end of 1853.