Balthasar Ruf

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Born: July 1820
Wintersdorf, Germany

Died: 11 Mar 1907
Rochester, NY

First Wife:
Appolonia Getz
Born: 1819

Died: 26 Apr 1848
Rochester, NY

married: 13 Jul 1847
Rochester, NY

2nd Wife:
Adelaide Peter
Born: Dec 1826
Germany

Died: 30 Oct 1902
Rochester, NY

married: 8 Aug 1848
Rochester, NY

Here is a link to the Pedigree Chart for Balthasar Ruf.

The Rueff/Ruff/Ruf families that are related to my Merkel family originated in Wintersdorf, Baden, Germany. The oldest records from the early 1700's in Wintersdorf spell the name "Rueff". By the 1800's, the name is spelled "Ruf or Ruff". The Rochester records have both "Ruf" and "Ruff".

Towards the bottom of the descendant chart you will see one of Balthasar's daughters, Adelaide. She married Albert Merkel. At this time, I can't tell what Merkel line Albert came from.

Rueff/Ruf/Ruf Descendant Chart

MARRIAGE

First marriage of Balthasar Ruf to Appolonia Getz on 13 July 1847. Appolonia was born 1819. She died 26 April 1848 nine months after marriage so possibility death during childbirth. Witnesses at that marriage were: Henry Haist and Michael Getz.

Second marriage of Balthasar Ruf to Adelaide Peter on 8 Aug, 1848 in Rochester, NY.

ADDRESS
1855 in the 8th ward in Rochester, NY.
1865 still in 8th ward on Frances ST. in Rochester, NY.

In 1900 living at 239 Jefferson Ave. Rochester, NY. Living with wife(Adelaide) and son George.
*** His house on Jefferson Ave. was the first house on Jefferson Ave. It was still
standing in 1949. SOURCE: Obit. of his wife in "Times Union" newspaper dated
4 June, 1949.

OCCUPATION
1855 and 1865 NY census - Balthasar listed as a shoemaker. 1900 federal census indicates shoe repair.

DEATH & BURIAL

Buried with wife(Adelaide) in Holy Sepulchre cemetery, Rochester, NY. Cause of death listed as senility.
His wife Adelaide Peter died Oct. 30 1902 of asthma.

Balthasar and Adelaide are buried together on Double Grave 39 Tier 3 Section K. Holy Sepulchre Cemetery.

The third child of Balthasar Ruf and Adelaide Peter was Elizabeth Ruf. She became the wife of my Great Grand Father Jacob Merkel.

ELIZABETH RUF 21 Mar. 1852 - 3 June 1949

ADDRESS
Elizabeth was born in a house on the corner of Jefferson Ave. & Champlain St. which was still standing in 1948. SOURCE: Newspaper article from"Times Union" 20 Mar. 1948.

1865 NY census says she is living on Frances St.

1870 until Husband dies in 1916, addresses are the same as Jacob Merkel.

1918 Rochester City Directory listed her as widow of Jacob living at 292 Champlain St.

1920 Federal census list her at 292 Champlain St. living with daughter Eliz., & son Edwin. of Rochester, NY. Also there are Lorretta Bickel, niece-age 25 & John F. Bickel nephew age 22.

1937 she moved to the home of her daughter Anna Mary (Mrs. Carl Lotz in Webster at 193 E. Main St. SOURCE: Newspaper article:"Times Union" March 20, 1948.

MARRIAGE
15 Nov. 1870 St. Peter and Paul Church of Rochester, NY

DEATH
The year 1949 comes from research by Dick Apolant at Holy Sepulchre Cem.
Husband Jacob, and daughter Lillian located together in Section 3 South, lot 147. There are 3 all stones in a row with just names & years. The stones are identical and of a rather unusual design. Directly behind Lillian's, in the next row, was another of the same: Marian Lotze 1920 / 1921. She is Eliz.'s granddaughter. The daughter of Anna Mary Merkel and Carl Henry Lotze

A Few Explanations:

The following information is based on one assumption:
*** That Balthasar Ruf and Elizabeth Ruf (who married Henry Heisel) are brother and sister ***

I'm still trying to find that last piece of evidence that will connect these two people.
I have included the information below that I believe may indicate Balthasar and Elizabeth are brother and sister.

If you believe they are then you will find here the marriage of Balthasar Ruf and his descendants in Rochester. You will also find the marriage of Elisabeth Ruf to Henry Heisel in Rochester and their descendants. You will also find the Rueff/Ruf families in Wintersdorf, Germany to the 1700's.

If you don't believe they are brother and sister, then go to Balthasar Ruf's page which only includes Balthasar and his descendants in Rochester.

Balthasar Ruf married Appolonia Gotz in Rochester in 1847 and then Adelaide Peter in Rochester in 1848. Elisabeth, the daughter of Balthasar and Adelaide, eventually married Jacob Merkel - my great grandfather - in Rochester in 1870.
Maria Elisabeth Ruf was born in Wintersdorf and married Henry Heisel in Rochester in 1844. For more information on the Heisel-Ruf connections, contact Bill Sauers at wsauers@rochester.rr.com

Here is my case for Balthasar and Maria Elisabeth as brother and sister from Wintersdorf who both came to Rochester, NY:
1.	Maria Elisabeth Ruf marries Henry Heisel in Rochester 23 April 1844. The marriage record indicates that Maria Elisabeth is from Wintersdorf.
2.	Henry Heisel appears as a sponsor on the birth/bapt. records of Balthasar's children: Henry, George, Mary, Carolina, and Joseph. On Balthasar's children: George and Mary Elisabeth, Mary Elisabeth Heisel (probably Henry's wife Maria Elisabeth Ruf) is one of the sponsors. Looks like the Ruf and Heisel families were more than good friends.
3.	The census records in Rochester indicate Balthasar was born July 1820.
4.	The birth/baptism record of Balthasar Ruf in Wintersdorf says he was born 21 July 1820.
5.	The Baden Wuerttemberg Emigration site has these two people leaving Wintersdorf. Both are children of Gregorius.
	Name Ruf, Balthasar Geburtsjahr 20 Geburtsdaten 21 Jul Verweis Gregorius, Regina (Sohn von) Beruf Schuster Ort Wintersdorf, Stadt Rastatt, RA Amt Rastatt (RAS) Emigrationsjahr 1842 Zielland Nordamerika	Nr 300095 Name Ruf, Elisabetha Verweis Gregor (Tochter von) Ort Wintersdorf, Stadt Rastatt, RA Amt Rastatt (RAS) Emigrationsjahr 1842 Zielland Nordamerika Ausreisealter 20

6.	The immigration dates present a problem. The census records of Rochester indicate Balthasar's arrival in the US in 1847. It may be that he came here first with Elisabeth in 1843 and then returned to Germany. He may have made a second trip to the US in 1847. This is only speculation at this time. The following was sent by George gzeller@tampabay.rr.com It mentions that Balthasar was born in "Wyndusadorf". It seems like it could be "Wintersdorf". DECLARATION OF INTENT, OCTOBER 24, 1856, Baltzhar [Balthasar] Ruf, FILE # 3982 On this 24th day of October in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and fifty-one personally appears before the County of Monroe Ciricut (the said Court being a Court of Record, having Common Law jurisdiction, and a Clerk and Seal,) Balthasar Ruf of the City of Rochester in the County of Monroe but late of Baden in Germany and declares upon the oath in open Court, that he was born in Wyndusadorf a subject of the Grand Duchy of Baden on or about 22nd day of July [1820] in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and twenty as he is informed and believes--that he emigrated there from, and arrived in the United States on or about the 6th day of April [1843] one thousand eight hundred and forty three that he has since his arrival therein, resided in the United States. and not elsewhere, and particularly, that he has resided at his present place of residence of the last eight year, past--that is , bona fide his intention to become a citizen of the United States, and to renounce forever all allegiance and fidelity to any foreign prince, potentate, state or sovereignity, whatever, and, particularly, all allegiance and fidelity to the Prince of the Duchy of Baden whom he is now a subject. Subscribed and Sworn to in open Court, this 26th day of October 1851 Balthasar Ruf FILE #3982 NATURALIZATON PAPERS APPROVED OCTOBER 24, 1853.