Ruhland, Benedict (Ben) (1843-1922)

RUHLAND, SITZMANN, KUNKEL KIRCHBERG, BRITT, NYRENE

Posted By: Linda Linn (email)
Date: 3/13/2011 at 13:22:24

LeMars Semi-Weekly Sentinel
3-28-1922

WAS CIVIL WAR VETERAN
BEN RUHLAND SOON PROVED
LOYALTY IN NEW COUNTRY

WAS AN HONORED AND RESPECTED CITIZEN

Was Successful Farmer in Stanton
Township, Where He Lived for the
Past Thirty-Eight Years

Ben Ruhland, a well known resident of Plymouth county for the past thirty eight years died at his his home in Stanton township on Saturday, March25, following an illness of three weeks. He was taken sick on March 2 with an attack of bronchial pneumonia from which he was apparently recovering when complications set in and his weakened condition and his age were unable to withstand the inroads of disease and he passed peacefully away surrounded by his wife and family, who had been constant in their ministrations during his last illness.

Ben Ruhland was born on May 28, 1843, in Prussia, Europe, where he received his early schooling and grew to young manhood. When a youth of nineteen years of age he came to America and a few months after his arrival demonstrated his loyalty to his new country by volunteering for service in the Civil War which was raging at that period. He enlisted in Company I, Twenty fifth Wisconsin regiment under Captain Daniel Smalley and served for three years in the war and received an honorable discharge on June 7, 1865, at Washington, D.C.

Following the close of the war he returned to Wisconsin and was married at Hazel Green to Miss Margaretha Kunkel, on August 22, 1868. They engaged in farming near there until 1884, when they came to Plymouth county and bought a farm in Stanton township where they lived ever since. Eleven children were born to their union and there are forty five grandchildren. The children who with their mother mourn the loss of a good father, are Michael Ruhland , living at home, Mrs. Frank Kirchberg, Rush City, Minn., Mrs. Anton Kirchberg, Madison, Minn., Norbert and John Ruhland, of Stanton Township, Mrs. Thos. Britt, Mrs. Louis Sitzmann, and Mrs. Frank Sitzmann of Elkhorn township, Mrs. Jacob Nyrene, of Stanton. One daughter , Mrs. John Kirchberg and one son, Frank Ruhland preceded their father in death. He also leaves a brother, Frank Ruhland, of Struble, and a brother and sister living in Germany.

Mr. Ruhland was a successful farmer and took an active interest in the affairs of the community and was a splendid type of citizen and held the respect of all who knew him. He had a very wide acquaintance in the county and few men have enjoyed a greater popularity. He made friends with everybody and was universally liked. His home life was ideal and hospitality was a cardinal virtue with him and he was never happier than when surrounded by his family and grandchildren and a few chosen friends. He was a loving father and husband and loyal to his friends.

Mr. Ruhland was a member of Mower Post G.A.R. of this city, and his comrades of long years will accord him a military funeral.

Mr. Ruhland was a devout Catholic and services will be held this morning at St. Joseph church in Lincoln Township [Neptune], of which the deceased was one of the founders.

Civil War Record
 

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