History of Clark County, Wisconsin (1918)

ALBERT RUETH, a prosperous citizen of Fremont Township, who, for a of years has been interested both in agriculture and mercantile business and has achieved success, was born at Sun Prairie, Dane County, Wis., Aug. 26, 1856, son of Michael and Margaret Rueth. The parents were born and married in Bavaria, Germany, the father being a miller and baker by occupation. In 1844 they came to the United States by sailing vessel, being seven weeks on the ocean. Arriving in Wisconsin, they settled in Dane County, Michael Rueth becoming manager of the mill at Madison. Later he took land in that vicinity, built a log cabin and with the aid of an ox team cleared a farm. For awhile he worked out for a Mr. Baker, earning 20 cents a day and having to take his wages in pork and flour. Sometimes he had to walk to Milwaukee, a distance of about eighty miles, carrying flour home on his back the entire distance. It was in 1854 that started breaking his land. After getting a crop of wheat he hauled it to Milwaukee, being ten days on the trip, and after paying expenses found himself with just 70 cents clear profit. He and his wife resided there until near the close of their lives, Mrs. Rueth dying in Dane County, in 1902, at the age of 83 years. He survived her several years, dying in Clark County in 1906, at the age of 94.

They were members of the Catholic Church, attending mass at the homes of their, neighbors, where services were held in early days. Mr. Rueth helped to build the first Catholic Church in his township, a log structure, which was known as St. Joseph's Church. He and his wife had three children: Michael, now residing in St. Paul, Minn. Albert, of Fremont Township, and Margaret, who is the wife of Julius Meyer, Albert Rueth acquired his education in the district school, for the most part, but attended Watertown College for one year. He was reared on his parents' farm and was engaged in agricultural work for some years, but after being overcome by heat one summer, gave it up, and in the fall of the same year established himself as a merchant at Sun Prairie, where he conducted a store for thirty-one years. He also became interested in a farm, which he still owns, and while there served as a member of the village board. There also he married Mary Badz, of Bristol, Wis., whose parents were natives of Germany, settled in Dane County, in 1848, where the father, Peter Badz, cleared a farm.

Through Mr. Gates, a father-in-law of Mr. Rueth became interested in the agricultural possibilities of Clark County, and accordingly he removed with his family to this county, buying 160 acres of wild land in Section 5, Fremont Township. On this he erected good buildings, including a brick house of ten rooms a barn, 32 by 96 feet, and a sheep shed. In time he increased his holdings until he now has 858 acres of land in Fremont Township. On a farm he owns, in Section 8, he built a barn, 32 by 120 feet. After being engaged for some years in the raising of Shropshire sheep, Mr. Rueth discontinued that branch of farming, and confined his stock raising operations to Shorthorn cattle, and a good grade of horses. He has turned over the management of his business to his sons, George and Peter. Mr. and Mrs. Rueth are the parents of four children: Anna, residing at home George, engaged in mercantile business Edward, who is engaged in Red Cross work in Germany, having been sent there from the United States, and Peter, who is also in the mercantile business.