BIO: WILLIAM ELMER RUTZ, Cumberland County, Pennsylvania
   
  Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by Joe Patterson
  OCRed by Judy Banja

  Copyright 2004.  All rights reserved.
  http://www.rootsweb.com/~usgenweb/copyright.htm
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  >From Biographical Annals of Cumberland County, Pennsylvania,
  Chicago: The Genealogical Publishing Co., 1905, pages 311-312
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  NOTE: Use this web address to access other bios:
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    WILLIAM ELMER RUTZ, farmer and dairyman of North Middleton township,
  Cumberland county, is one of the thrifty, progressive and respected citizens
  of his locality. He is a native of the county, having been born July 27,
  1855, on the Cave Hill Farm, near Carlisle, and is of German descent, his
  father and grandfather both having been born in Germany.
 
    John Rutz, his father, for many years a prominent and respected citizen of
  North Middleton township, was born Feb. 13, 1827, and in 1851 came to this
  country from Germany, arriving March 3d. Locating in Cumberland county, Pa.,
  he took a position as miller with William M. Henderson, in Carlisle, for whom
  he continued to work twenty years, and on leaving the mill he took up farming,
  settling upon the Cave Hill farm, where he passed the remainder of his days.
  Mr. Rutz was an energetic and intelligent man, and he served several terms as
  school director in his district. He married Susan Swanger, who was born Feb.
  27, 1830, near Henderson's mill, and whose mother was a sister of Governor
  Ritner, of Pennsylvania. To this union were born six children, Clara, William
  E., Anna, Lizzie, Harry and Ida. The members of this family all adhere to the
  faith of the Lutheran Church. Mr. Rutz passed away Oct. 11, 1890, on the Cave
  Hill farm where he had made his home for so many years.
 
    William E. Rutz received all his education in the district schools, and
  meantime was thoroughly trained in all the duties of
 
    312  CUMBERLAND COUNTY.
 
  the farm. He remained with his father until he reached manhood, since when he
  has been engaged in farming on his own account, and he has met with uniform
  success. Of late he has also carried on dairying to some extent, and he has
  found that branch quite profitable. Mr. Rutz has been honorable and upright
  in all his dealings, and has justly gained the esteem of his associates,
  whether in business or private life. He holds membership in the First
  Lutheran Church of Carlisle.
 
    In the winter of 1882 Mr. Rutz married Miss Mary Ann Stone, daughter of
  John and Mary A. (Shearer) Stone, the former of whom was born Dec. 11, 1826,
  in York county, Pa., came to Cumberland county about 1860, and died July 11,
  1869. He was a farmer by occupation. Mrs. Stone Was born Dec. 1, 1824, and
  died May 29, 1884. Besides Mary Ann, Mrs. Rutz, they had six children,
  namely: Catherine E., Peter, Anna, John, Harriet and Sarah Jane. Six children
  have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Rutz: Grace May, born Oct. 27, 1883, who
  married David W. Diller; Marv Almeda, born Sept. 1 1, 1885; William Millard,
  born Nov. 21, 1888; Sallie Jane, Nov. 7, 1891; Edward Leroy, Dec. 25, 1894;
  and Bessie Florence, Jan. 27, 1898. In political belief Mr. Rutz is a loyal
  supporter of the principles promulgated by the Democratic party.