My Genealogy Hound

William G. Ruge, member of the firm of O. H. Guether & Co., manufacturers and sole proprietors of the only patent cork-faced horse collars, is a native of Denmark, born in 1839, and the son of Dr. Charles and Trena P. (Krag) Ruge. The father was born in 1801, in Holstein, Germany, and received his medical education at Goettingen and at other medical institutions of Europe, receiving a thorough education in both the sciences and art of medicine and surgery. He came to America in 1839 and settled in Washington, Mo., where he immediately entered upon the practice of his profession. He soon became a very noted physician and surgeon in Eastern Missouri, and continued his practice until his death, which occurred in 1875. He was for three years engaged in his profession in Franklin County, and all the adjoining counties. His wife was born in Denmark in 1808, and died the same year as that of her husband. She was the mother of seven children, our subject being the fifth. He was only an infant when his parents came to the United States, and while growing up received his education in Washington and St. Louis. At the age of sixteen he began clerking in a general store for J. C. A. Beims, for whom he worked three years. About this time the war broke out, and in April, 1861, he enlisted in Company B, Third Missouri Infantry Volunteers (United States army), as private, and was in the battles of Pea Ridge, Arkansas Post, Jackson (Miss.), siege of Vicksburg, Chickasaw Bayou and numerous minor engagements. He was promoted to the rank of first lieutenant of Company C. In September, 1864, he was discharged and returned home, where he resumed merchandising on his own responsibility, in which business he continued until 1886. February 23, 1886, Mr. Ruge and Otto Everts patented the now famous patent cork-faced horse collar. In 1885 work was commenced in the manufacture of the same, before the patent was issued, to test its durability and fitness. It proved a complete success, beyond the most sanguine expectations of the patentees, and April, 1887, the present company was organized and work commenced on a larger scale. They employ twenty men, all the work being done by hand, and make on an average ten dozen per day. The collars have already been introduced in various parts of the States of Missouri and Arkansas and Indian Territory, and have given excellent satisfaction. The firm comprises James I. Jones, O. H. Guether and Mr. Ruge. December, 1864, Mr. Ruge married Serelda Marshall, a native of Warren County, Mo., born in 1847, and the daughter of Henry and Elizabeth (Baley) Marshall. To our subject and wife were born seven children: Alice (wife of Charles F. Gallenkamp, prosecuting attorney of Franklin County), Adela, Agnes, Oscar, Frieda, Francisca and Walter. In politics Mr. Ruge is a Republican, was a member of the school board five years and president of the same, holding that position at the present time. He is a Master Mason, a member of the A. O. U. W., also a member of the G. A. R., and is commander of James W. Owens Post, No. 332, of Washington.