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         JOHN D. RUTT, proprietor of the Louisa House, of Cairo, Iowa, was born in Northampton County, Pa., April 23, 1816, and is a son of David and Margaret (Eckark) Rutt, who were also natives of the Keystone State. He received his education in his native county, where he was reared to farm life, and at the age of twenty-one began learning the blacksmith’s trade, which he followed for some time, but later embarked in the mercantile business. Selling out his stock, he again followed his chosen vocation for a year. He was united in marriage with Miss Susan Gruver, in 1840, and in 1856 came to Louisa County, where he purchased a farm of sixty-six acres in Elm Grove Township. Eight years later his wife died, leaving two children: Jeremiah, who now resides in Colorado, and Lydia E., wife of David Partington, of Brown County, Neb. Mr. Rutt was again married in 1865, becoming the husband of Mrs. Erb, who was formerly Fannie E. Leady. She is a native of Rockingham County, Va., and by this second union two children have been born—Orpha and John Franklin.

In 1865 Mr. Rutt sold the farm which he purchased, and again resumed his trade of blacksmith, at what was then Spring Run, Iowa. Leaving that town, he went to Grand View, where he embarked in the hotel business, but at the end of the year sold out and purchased eighty acres of land in Marshall Township, where he made a good farm and continued to reside until 1879, when he rented his land and bought property in Cairo, retiring from active farm life in 1883. Purchasing the Louisa Hotel, he has since been its proprietor, and there any traveler may be sure of a hearty welcome and a most bountifully spread table. Besides some town property, Mr. Rutt still owns ninety-one acres of fine land. When he came to Iowa Louisa County was a vast prairie, and the most far-sighted . . .

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. . . could not have imagined the rapid growth which was soon to place it on a par with any in the State. In its upbuilding Mr. Rutt has always taken an active interest, and has done all in his power in the advancement of its enterprises. He is a man well informed on all public matters, both State and National, and is highly respected by a large circle of friends. He and his wife are members of the Evangelical Church, while politically, he is a supporter of the Republican party.