JOSEPH RUHE, son of Charles A. and Susanna Ruhe, was born in Allentown, Pa., Feb. 20, 1837. He attended the public schools of his native town and early in life served an apprenticeship at the trade of cigar making. By the exercise of prudence and thrift during his service as journeyman he was enabled to accumulate sufficient capital to step into business with his brothers. Charles and Frederick, after the firm of Charles A. Ruhe had been dissolved, the new firm conducting business under the name of Ruhe Brothers. They established one of the most extensive cigar manufactories in the state of Pennsylvania, their factories being located on Seventh and Eighth streets, Allentown and this enterprise gave constant employment to more than 300 hands. The business steadily increased in volume and importance, becoming the leading industry in that section of the state, and the firm remained the same as when first established until the death of Frederick A. Ruhe, twenty years later. The business was then conducted by the remaining members of the firm for a period of eighteen years, when a corporation was formed under the name of Ruhe Brothers Company, with Charles H. Ruhe as its first president. In 1893, Joseph Rube became extensively interested in real estate transactions, and by the exercise of clear judgment and keen foresight has achieved a large degree of success, and is now in receipt of a good income from this undertaking. He is a director in the Lehigh Valley Trust and Safe Deposit Company. He has always been upright and honorable in his dealings, gained the entire confidence and trust of his fellow citizens, and both in public and private life has proved himself worthy and reliable. He is a Republican in politics.

Mr. Rube married. Dec. 24,1862, Eliza A. Fenstermacher, deceased, daughter of Aaron Fenstermacher. Their children are: Raymond R., who died at the age of three years; Elizabeth, who died in the thirteenth year of her age; Robert Joseph, born July 24, 1866, died Aug. 16, 1888; Miriam an artist of note and distinction, who became the wife of Edward Levin, of Philadelphia. Pa.; Wallace Edgar, a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania, now engaged as an architect in Allentown. Mr. Ruhe married for his second wife, Mary L. Hartman. The family holds membership in St. John's Reformed church of Allentown. Mr. Ruhe erected a handsome memorial chapel in memory of his son, Robert Joseph Ruhe.

Obit