My Genealogy Hound

FRED RUTZ, boot and shoe dealer, Ripley, is a native of Germany, where he was born in 1835. When fifteen years of age, he emigrated to the land of the free, finding a location at Cincinnati, where he remained a short time, when he removed to Maysville, Ky.; thence he removed to Ripley, where he established business in 1856. His business place was entirely destroyed by fire in March, 1881, and he erected a neat two-story brick structure on the same site, at a cost of $4,000. He occupies the upper floor as a residence, and the building is one of the most prominent business structures in the city. Occupying a site in the business center of Second street, it affords ample proof of the stability and enterprise of its owner. Mr. R. was joined in marriage to Miss Elizabeth Beihn in 1856. She is a native of this city. One child (deceased) was the fruit of this union. Mr. R. is a member of the School Board, where he has served nineteen years. He served six months in the Forty-third Illinois Infantry Regimental Band during the rebellion, returning from the field sick. He is a member of the G. A. R. and I. O. O. F., and has an honorable standing in the Masonic fraternity. His trade is large and lucrative, and his name stands among Ripley’s respected and honored citizens.