HIRAM RUCH, farmer, in Hanover township, near Shoenersville, was born Nov. 17. 1848. He was reared upon the farm, and at the age of twenty-four years learned the carpenter trade, following it until 1894- He was employed as foreman for Peter Laubach, his brother-in-law. In 1894 he bought the William Wint homestead in Hanover, of twenty acres, where he since lives. He is a member of the Shoenersville Lutheran congregation. In 1875 he married Maria K.. Berndt, daughter of Francis G. and Christina (Kline) Berndt. They have no children.