My Genealogy Hound

H. M. RUHE, the enterprising junior partner of the firm of F. A. Ruhe & Co., was born June 1, 1848, in Lehigh County, Pa. He is the son of Augustus L. and Adeline K. Ruhe, natives of the same county, who spent their entire lives in this locality, the mother dying here in 1864, and the father May 5, 1892, at the age of eighty-two.

In the common schools of Allentown, our subject laid the foundation of his education. Afterward he attended for one term the Allentown Seminary, in which he completed his business course. At the age of sixteen years he commenced to learn the carpenter’s trade, at which he worked for six months. He then went to City Point, Va., where he secured a position in the wheelwright department of the Army of the Potomac under Capt. E. J. Strang. After the close of the Civil War he left that place, and sojourned later for a short time in the cities of Washington, Baltimore, Harrisburg, Reading and Philadelphia.

Returning to Allentown, Mr. Ruhe resumed work at the carpenter’s trade, in which he continued for a number of years. Afterward he became Superintendent of the Jordan Steam Planing Mills, which position he held for some time. He then bought an interest in the mill, the firm title being changed to Ritter, Abbott & Ruhe. Next he engaged in carpentering, but in 1880 abandoned that occupation, and for the two and one-half years following was engaged with F. W. Weil & Co. Later he was with the firm of Grossman & Kluenter, and afterward was in the employ of Johnson & Swartz.

Upon starting out in business for himself, Mr. Rube formed a partnership with his brother, F. A., and commenced to manufacture furniture under the firm title of F. A. Ruhe & Co. In addition to this business, they also manufactured patent window screens, of which H. M. is the patentee. He has also made a number of improvements on the machinery in use in their factory. The products of the factory are sold in Baltimore, Philadelphia, Boston and other large cities.

A very important event in the life of Mr. Ruhe was his marriage, September 7, 1871, to Miss Susan, daughter of Maybarry Ashton, a prominent farmer of Berks County, Pa. Four children have been born of their union, namely: Minerva, a book-keeper for the firm of F. A. Ruhe & Co.; Clarence A., Gertrude and Helen. In religious belief Mr. Ruhe and his wife are members of the Reformed Church, and are ever ready to lend a helping hand in all good work, especially in the cause of Christianity. Politically he is a Democrat, but has never been an office-seeker, although he takes a deep interest in party matters. He is ever ready to aid in enterprises pertaining to the public welfare, and is numbered among the popular and substantial citizens of Lehigh County. His beautiful home is situated at No. 340 Ridge Avenue, Allentown.