FERDINAND RUWE

Ferdinand Ruwe, aged fifty two years, was found dead in the basement of his home about fifteen miles northwest of Blair on Monday, Feb. 17. From all appearances he had been dead for some time when the body was found.

The manner of his death will always be a mystery. A bullet wound in his chest and an empty gun found near him is all the evidence found.

Deceased was a native of Washington county and was reared in the neighborhood where he died. He was never married and for the past ten years had lived alone. He was a man of good habits and kindly disposition, and will be missed greatly in his circle of friends. An assembly will sing, “The Dearest ? and Otto of this county and Lawrence of Wayne county and three sisters: Mrs. John Oberst and Mrs. Paul Kubie of this county and Mrs. L. B. McKay of Boone, Neb.

The funeral services were held last Thursday at the little country church in the neighborhood and interment made in the cemetery adjoining the church.

Note: The newspaper obituary was typed as written.

#2-February 20, 1930- Arlington Review Herald- Ferdinand Carl Ruwe

F.C. RUWE COMMITS SUICIDE

The body of Ferdinand C. Ruwe was found in the basement of his farm home ten miles east of Hooper in Washington County, Monday morning, where he had committed suicide one week before while despondent over ill health.

Raymond Ludwig, our rural carrier on Route One, became suspicious Monday when he found that no mail had been taken from the box for about ten days, and drove to the farm of William Ruwe, a brother of Ferdinand, and reported his suspicion. Together, they drove back to the farm, made a search of the house and finally found the body lying on the basement floor. Mr. Ruwe had apparently shot himself through the heart with a shotgun and had died instantly. It is believed the suicide was committed one week before.

Ferdinand C. Ruwe was 51 years of age and was a bachelor. He was a son of Mr. and Mrs. Henry Ruwe, deceased pioneers, and had lived all his life on the farm north of Telbasta. Until about ten years ago he had lived with his younger brother, William, on the old home farm. Upon the marriage of the brother, he moved into another farm house on the farm and had since lived there alone.

This winter he had been in poor health due to a cold and influenza and it is believed he took his life while despondent over his condition. He was of a taciturn disposition and all his life had preferred to be by himself and did not make friends readily. It was not unusual that his neighbors did not see him for days at a time.

He is survived by three brothers and three sisters, William, on the home place, Lawrence of Wayne, and Otto of Blair; Mrs. J. Oberg, Herman, Mrs Kubie, Blair and Elsie Ruwe of Albion.

Funeral services were held from St. Johnfs Brown Creek church Thursday afternoon at two ofclock.

Obituary courtesy of the Washington County Historical Society. Newspaper clippings on file at the Blair Public Library.

FindaGrave Memorial #51012991