George M. Ruth
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George
M. Ruth, an energetic farmer living on section 19, Dawson township, is
now the owner of two hundred and eighty acres of rich and productive
land, in the midst of which stands a good residence and substantial
barns, while around the home is a beautiful grove of boxelders. This is
one of the attractive features of the landscape and its excellent
appearance is due to the untiring labors of the owner. A native of
Illinois, Mr. Ruth was born at Long Grove, in Lake county, December 20,
1845. His father, Aden Ruth, was a native of Pennsylvania, of German
decent. He settled on government land in Lake county, Illinois, in 1831
- such was the pioneer condition of the northern part of the state at
that time. He was living there when the Indians were paid off at
Chicago and removed from that part of the state to a reservation beyond
the Mississippi. Chicago was then a small town, being little more than
a hamlet clustered around Fort Dearborn. Mr. Ruth turned his attention
to general agricultural pursuits and continued to engage in farming in
Lake county up to the time of his death, which occurred when he was
about sixty-eight years of age. He married Salome Fehlman, a native of
Germany, her death occurring in Dawson township, this county, at the
home of her sister, Mrs. Jacob Arnold. In their family were seven
children: Maria, now the wife of Jacob Arnold, of Jefferson; Mrs.
Elmira Arnold, of Chicago, Illinois; Sabina, the wife of D. A. Arnold,
of Chicago; Ellen, who died at the age of two years; Mrs. Hannah
O’Brian, of Plymouth county, Iowa; George M., in Greene county; and
Henry, who is living in Nebraska.
George M. Ruth spent his boyhood days in the county of his nativity,
where he was reared to farm life, taking part in the work of the fields
from the time of early spring planting until crops were harvested in
the late autumn. He afterward engaged in general merchandising at Long
Grove for two years and in 1884 he came to Greene county, where he
purchased one hundred and twenty acres of land on section 19, Dawson
township. Here he has since made his home, covering a period of
twenty-three years. There was a little shanty upon the place at the
time of his purchase and a small prairie stable, but otherwise there
were no improvements. He has worked a wonderful transformation in the
appearance of his farm, which today comprises two hundred and eighty
acres of rich land, whereon are gathered large crops of corn and other
cereals best adapted to soil and climate. The beautiful grove of
boxelders on the place was planted by Mrs. Ruth. A comfortable and
commodious dwelling and substantial barns have been erected and the
farm is lacking in none of the equipments of a model property of the
twentieth century.
On the 6th of April, 1875, Mr. Ruth won a companion and helpmate for
life’s journey by his marriage to Miss Caroline Wickersheim, who was
born in Lake county, Illinois, March 28, 1856, her parents being
Frederick and Salome (Rudolph) Wickersheim, both of whom were natives
of Germanv, but are now deceased. In the family of Mr. and Mrs. Ruth
are seven children. George W. was born November 9, 1876, and is living
on part of his father’s farm, married Minnie Carber and has two
children. Theodore M., born April 21, 1878, is yet at home. Edwin A.,
born December 19, 1879, assists in the operation of the home farm.
Charles E., born October 20, 1882, is in Minnesota. Sidney W., born
December 20, 1885, Harry William, born August 31, 1889, and Nellie M.,
December 9, 1891, are all yet at home.
The parents were reared in the Lutheran faith and hold membership in
the Evangelical Lutheran church, although there is no congregation of
that denomination in their neighborhood. Mr. Ruth is a democrat, in
sympathy with the principles and purposes of the party. He has held the
oflice of township trustee for two terms, has also been road supervisor
and for several years was school diréctor, the cause of education
finding in him an earnest friend, who believes in the employment of
competent teachers and the maintenance of good schools. In fact, he
stands for progress in all life’s relations and his spirit of
enterprise is indicated by the excellent appearance of his farm, the
well tilled fields bringing forth good crops and making him a
prosperous resident of his community.
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