AARON P RUSE

A well known farmer of Shannon township, Atchison county, is Aaron Preston Ruse, who was born in Marion county, Indiana, on the 8th of May, 1838, and is a son of Jesse and Mary (Reveal) Ruse. The paternal grandfather, Adam Ruse, was a native of Russia, and in early life crossed the Atlantic to the new world. When the colonies attempted to throw off the yoke of oppression he joined the American army and valiantly aided in securing independence. William Reveal, the maternal grandfather of our subject, was a native of Wales, and served his adopted land in the war of 1812. Jesse and Mary (Reveal) Ruse, the parents of our subject, were both natives of Ohio, the latter having been born in Clinton county, where her father carried on farming. From Clark county, Ohio, Mr. and Mrs. Ruse removed to Marion county, Indiana, and subsequently went to Huntington county, that state, where the father died in 1880, the mother passing away in 1876.

A. P. Ruse spent his boyhood days in Huntington county, Indiana, and through the summer months assisted in the work of the home farm, while in the winter season he attended the public schools of the neighborhood, thus becoming familiar with the English branches of learning. To his father he gave the benefit of his service until he attained his majority, and then started out to make his own way in the world. He purchased a small farm in Huntington county, but in July, 1865, he joined the One Hundred and Fifty-third Regiment of Indiana Volunteers and served until September, 1866, under command of Colonel Cary, the regiment being engaged in garrison duty.

In 1869 Mr. Ruse removed with his family to Platte county Missouri, where he engaged in farming and stock-raising, and in 1880 he went to Doniphan county, Kansas, locating in Wayne township, where he carried on agricultural pursuits until 1896. In that year he removed to his present farm in Shannon township, Atchison county, where he has one hundred and sixty acres of arable land, the greater part of which is under a high state of cultivation. He is also successfully carrying on stock-raising, and has a well improved property, which is the reward of his own labors.

In 1860 Mr. Ruse wedded Miss Emily Brown, of Huntington, Indiana, a daughter of James and Sarah A. Brown. Mr. and Mrs. Ruse have seven children: Anna, now a widow; Dell, who is engaged in farming; Mary C., wife of William Allee, of Walla Walla, Washington; John M., a fireman on the Missouri Pacific Railroad; Minnie B., wife of Edward Oswold, of Shannon township; James L., at home; and Oliver, who is now practicing medicine.

Mr. Ruse is a member of the school board, and has served as its chairman for some years. The cause of education finds in him a warm friend, and in his official capacity he has largely advanced the interests of the schools in this locality. He holds membership in the Jordan Creek Baptist church, in which he has served as deacon for ten years, and in the work of the church he takes an active and commendable interest.