The history of the Ruth family begins almost simultaneously with the history of Pennsylvania. They came with the old High Dutch families at about the same time the Penn colonies first settled on American shores. They lived for many years in Berks County, Pa., the father of the subject of this sketch being a prominent farmer in Conway Township, where he was born May 24, 1789. He was named George after his father, and was the eldest child. He was a farmer, and was married in his native county, March 4, 1810, to Miss Hannah Rose, who was born in Reading, Berks Co., Pa., Aug. 6, 1791. Her father was a jeweler, and his fine mechanical skill made him famous in local circles.

After George Ruth and his wife were married they lived in Berks County, Pa., for about twenty-one years, when they went to Northumberland County, where the father kept a public tavern for eight years. During that time the subject of this sketch was born, Aug. 29, 1829. He was the youngest son and the younger but two of a family of eleven children, four sons and seven daughters, ten of whom lived to be grown and married. At present only the subject of this sketch and two sisters are living. In 1836 the parents came with the children to their new home in Illinois, where they settled on the 12th of June in what is now Lake County, but at that time was a portion of Cook and McHenry Counties. The settlement was made four miles from any post-office, at what was then and is now Half Day. For many years Mr. Ruth, the subject of this sketch, was well acquainted with the business men of Chicago, having frequently come in contact with them, and he could name almost all the merchants until after the fire of 1871. The father and mother of our subject both died where they settled on coming to this State, the former Nov. 4, 1850, and the latter in August, 1870. They were among the first settlers, and secured wild, unoccupied Government land.

William Ruth grew to manhood in the county of Lake, living at home until he was married, which event occurred Oct. 27, 1853. His bride was Miss Sarah J. Morse, who was born near Lockport, Niagara Co., N. Y., May 31, 1835, and was the daughter of James and Maria (Kneedler) Morse. Mr. M. died in Jefferson, Wis., about 1876; his wife departed this life in Lake County, Ill., when her daughter, Mrs. Ruth, was about eleven years of age. The latter was reared by her father, who came to Lake County, Ill., in 1844. She is the mother of ten children, one deceased and the remainder living, as follows: Reuben E. is married and lives in Wabasha, Minn.; Irwin S. is married and resides in Westmoreland, Oneida CO., N. Y.; Mary E. is now Mrs. Brubaker, of Freeport; Aden L. is married, and is farming in Lyons County, Iowa; Daniel S., Valera A., William B., Edward M. and Wallace P. remain at home. The deceased child was named Katie M. C.

After his marriage Mr. Ruth was for many years a farmer in Lake County, but sold his farm and came to Lancaster Township, Stephenson County, in the fall of 1873. In 1880 he moved to his present farm of 100 acres, which is well improved and located on section 8. Mr. and Mrs. Ruth are members of the Reformed Church, and Mr. R. has served as Township Collector and in other local offices. In politics he is a Prohibitionist.

Cotnributed by Carol Parrish Portrait and Biographical Album of Stephenson County, Ill. (1888), p. 544.