Archive Record
Images
Metadata
Object Name |
Recording, Audio |
Scope & Content |
Interview by Ethan Benner of Henry L. Ruth (b. 01/07/1905), son of Allen & Sallie Landis Ruth. Digital Copy Available --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Start time Subject 00:00:00 genealogy / Bio 00:00:28 Father's genealogy / bio 00:05:46 Mother's genealogy / bio 00:11:33 Grandparents 00:14:34 Siblings 00:18:04 Early life and home 00:19:14 Chores, games, etc. 00:22:45 Discipline 00:23:54 Playmates 00:24:56 Illness 00:28:05 Holidays 00:29:54 Vacations / pets 00:32:10 Events of a typical sunday 00:33:26 School Memories "Surveyed a farm for the school project" 00:41:30 Teenage years 00:42:11 Hobbies and Jobs 00:43:42 Relationship with parents 00:44:02 Attitude towards religion 00:45:30 Courtship, marriage 00:49:35 transportation "My first car was a model T ford, and I wish I still had it." 00:50:15 Church 00:51:54 Family Vacations 00:53:25 Children "Then later on, we had a foster son by the name of Sigfried" 00:57:47 being a grandparent 00:59:37 being a senior citizen 01:00:22 too soon old, too late smart 01:01:57 fulfilling activities and retirement 01:03:20 historical events -doesn't remember Titanic, but remembers Lusitania 01:04:18 end of audio - not full interview |
Date |
1989 |
Object ID # |
2013.25.919 |
Manuscript Collection # |
z.Audio |
Notes |
Obituary: Henry L. Ruth‚ a resident of the Souderton Mennonite Homes‚ died at the home of John and Roma Ruth in Lower Salford Twp.‚ Feb. 26‚ 2006. In the previous month‚ his family had celebrated his 101st birthday at his Souderton residence. Born Jan. 7‚ 1905 on a farm on New Galena Road in New Britain Twp.‚ Henry was the fifth of seven children of Allen R. and Sallie (Landis) Ruth. After attending the neighboring former Fairview Elementary School and two years at high schools in Newville and Chalfont‚ he worked at home and on the farms of Horace Ruth in New Britain‚ Menno Souder of near Elroy‚ and his older brother‚ Ervin Ruth‚ of near Hatfield. He married Susan A. Landis of Lower Salford‚ March 20‚ 1929‚ and moved to her parents' farm along the Branch Creek‚ where he was a hired man until 1941. He then farmed for himself until the mid 1970s‚ renting the farm from his brother-in-law‚ Abram A. Landis. In 1931‚ they were founding members of the Finland Mennonite congregation‚ where Henry served as Sunday school secretary and teacher and retained lifelong membership. As a young farmer‚ Henry cultivated interests in photography and astronomy‚ developing his own photographs and building his own six-inch reflecting telescope. After concluding dairying‚ he raised beef cattle and worked as an orderly at Grand View Hospital for 14 years. In 1987 the Ruths moved to the Souderton Mennonite Homes‚ where they celebrated their 75th wedding anniversary‚ March 29‚ 2004. Susan died Feb. 11‚ 2005‚ at the age of 95. Both husband and wife lived longer than any of their parents or siblings. Memorial services were held on March 2 in the chapel of the Souderton Mennonite Homes, followed by interment in the cemetery of Finland Mennonite Church in Pennsburg. |
Source |
Gift of S. Duane Kauffman |
People |
Ruth, Henry L., 1905-2006 |