Christian Ruehl was born Sept. 17, 1830 in Hessen, Darmstadt, Germany. He was baptized and instructed in the Christian religion. He received his schooling in Germany, and served in the Germany Army for 9 years. In 1855, he came to America, settling in Wisconsin. Christian served in the Civil War. Christian married Christine Scheibel, who was born in Obermerle, Germany. Christian and Christine had 5 (edit - 6) children, Eva (married Mr. Klaus), Elizabeth (married William Odenbrett), Kathryn (married Henry Kahn), Louis (married Anne Glaser), Conrad (married Pearl), and George (married Martha Gupentroy). Christine passed away around 1900.

In 1901, Christian Ruehl and Johanna Risch were married, and they moved to South Dakota, and homesteaded the Henry Feldman farm. Johanna Rechrodt Risch was born in Eisenbach, Germany on Nov. 1, 1851. In 1876, she had married August Risch and in 1882 they immigrated to America and settled in Chicago. Johanna and August had five children: Amelia (married Julius Ohse), William (passed away in 1909), Baldwin and Christian (both died as children), and Bertha (married Mr. Raether). Her husband August passed away in 1899.

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Christian passed away Oct. 24, 1920 and Johanna passed away Dec. 5, 1935. Both are buried in Fairview Cemetery, White, SD.