Andrew (Ed) Edward Ruse was born in a log cabin in southern Ohio in 1865 to poor parents who came to this country from Bohemia.  There were ten children in the family.  It was a hard life for them.  They finally moved to a heavily wooded area in southern Michigan; where the land must be cleared before crops could be planted.  Their life was rugged.

With every little schooling, Mr. Ruse finally went to Ann Arbor, Michigan and entered the University of Michigan.  He graduated in 1888 with a degree in Pharmacy and Chemistry.

Following his graduation, he came to Humboldt to work for Dr. H. C. Doan in his drug store.  Being a stranger in Humboldt, he boarded with Mrs. Doan's parents, the Frenches.

In 1892, Mr. Ruse started his own drug store, south across the street from the old Russell House Hotel.  He continued in business until 1914, when he sold his store to Mason Shepard and entered the real estate business with F. W. Reasoner.

Soon after coming to Humboldt, Mr. Ruse met Gertrude Helen Preble, daughter of early settlers and in 1891 they were married.  five children were born to this union.  Gilbert, who followed in his father's footsteps and was a druggist until 1950, when he retired; Margaret Nissen, who kept the home for her father, after the mother's death in 1924.  Marry and Neill both of Humboldt and Hume of Mr. Vernon, Iowa.

Mr. Ruse was very active in civic affairs.  He served on the city council for several terms.  Was likewise Mayor four teams.  He served as city assessor for 24 years.

It was through his efforts that the beautiful fountain in John Brown Park was erected.  He contacted Father Dobberstein of West Bend and they planned and erected this memorial to Fay Hessian, daughter of Dennis Hessian, early settlers.  Mr. Ruse cared for this fountain down through the years, cleaning it every spring and keeping gold fish in the large basin of the fountain.  He took much pride in this fountain.