Sylvester M. Ruth, of Allentown, was born Dec. 31, 1854, near Hokendauqua, and was educated in the township schools. He operated an iron ore mine in North Whitehall for fifteen years and in the fall of. 1884 removed to Somerset County, Maryland, where he farmed a 444-acre farm for three years, raising mainly wheat and corn. In 1889 he located in Allentown, where he has since resided. Since 1908, he has been the county tax collector for the Eighth ward. He is a Republican and with his family is a 'member of Dubbs' Memorial Reformed church. He married, in 1879, Rosa, daughter of Joel and Mary A. (Klotz) Peters. They had five children.