Re: Alexander Ruth and Rilla J. (Myers) Ruth

Some parts of this posting were left out that I was not aware of until a couple of days ago. Will post in its entirety, word for word.

Alexander Ruth, a prominent farmer residing on section 6, Scott Township, Henry Co., Iowa, was born in Rockbridge County, Va., Nov. 7, 1833. His father, Daniel Ruth, was born in Berks County Pa., in 1794. He was a soldier in the War of 1812, and participated in the battle of Baltimore. He formed a matrimonial alliance with Sarah E. Imboden, who was born in Augusta County, Va., in 1800. The marriage was celebrated in her native county at Waynesboro. Eleven children blessed their union, seven of whom grew to man and womanhood: Henry, a resident of Warren County, Iowa; George was a soldier in the Mexican War, and died from disease contracted at Matamoras; Benjamin F., who has been a resident of Washington Territory, residing near Puget Sound since 1855; Elizabeth is the wife of John Webb, of Warren County, Iowa; Alexander is our subject; Mary E., wife of John Loring, of Cincinnatti, Ohio, died in Indianola, Iowa, in 1858; David is a resident of Helena, Mont.; Samuel and Daniel are deceased, while two died in infancy. In 1840 Daniel Ruth emigrated near Bloomington. The county was but sparsely settled and Bloomington was but a small village. Mr. Ruth cast his last vote for William Henry Harrison while on his way to Illinois. He died in the fall of 1841. She kept the family together, and securing eighty acres of land, made a home for herself and children. In 1857 she came to Iowa, settling in Indianola, where she died in 1884, at the advanced age of eighty-four years. She was a woman of more than ordinary ability, and much credit is due her for the admirable management and energy shown in the manner in which she provided for her large family. She was a relative of Colonel and General Imboden. She and her husband were both members of the Presbyterian Church.

The subject of this sketch was but seven years old when his parents removed to Illinois. There he received his education in a log school-house. He was united in marriage in 1862, in Scott Township, Henry Co., Iowa, with Miss. Rilla J. Myers, a daughter of George and Jane (Lynch) Myers. She is a native of Greenbrier County, W. Va., born in 1844. Seven children have gathered round the hearthstone of this worthy couple: Lois, the wife of George Brown, of Louisa County, Iowa; Minnie Ila, who wedded Harvey Beauchamp, of Scott Township; Sarah J., Mary E., Colin, Marie and Frank are still inmates of the parental home.

Mr. Ruth was poor in this world's goods when he came to Henry County, but by economy and enterprise, assisted by his good wife, he has accumulated a comfortable property. He owns a farm of 115 acres, most of which is timber land, but seventy-five are under cultivation. In politics Mr. Ruth is a Greenbacker, though liberal in his views. Of the good people of Henry County, none stand higher or more truly deserve a place in her history than do Mr. Ruth and his interesting family.


This was from the book:
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM OF HENRY COUNTY, IOWA, containing Full Page Portraits and Biographical Sketches of Prominent and Representative Citzens of the County, together with PORTRAITS AND BIOGRAPHIES OF ALL THE GOVERNORS OF IOWA, AND OF THE PRESIDENTS OF THE UNITED STATES
CHICAGO:
ACME PUBLISHING COMPANY, 1888
PAGE 348