WALLACE EDGAR RUHE, son of Joseph Rube, whose native talent and thorough preliminary training have made him one of the foremost architects of the Lehigh Valley, is practicing his profession in Allentown, his native city. He pursued his preliminary education in the pubilic schools of Allentown, and for two years there after was a student in Muhlenberg College. He afterward attended the Ulrich Preparatory School at Bethlehem, Pa., and in 1895 entered the University of Pennsylvania, architectural department, in which he was graduated with the class of 1899. He afterward pursued a post-graduate course of one year, making a specialty of the study of architecture and kindred branches.

On leaving the university he went abroad and spent some time in Italy in further preparation for the profession which he had decided to make his life work. Upon his return to America he spent a short period in New York, whence he went to Philadelphia, and in those two cities was connected with some of the leading architects of the country, so that it is doubtful if any of the young men of his time had any better advantages than had Mr. Ruhe in preparing for his chosen calling. His natural aptitude and this close application soon took him beyond mediocrity to a position of distinction in his profession, and by reason of his superior merit he has attained enviable success since locating for business in his native city.

Mr. Rube returned to Allentown in the fall of 1901 and opened an office of his own. He employed as a clerk Robert Lange, of New York, whom he admitted to a partnership in 1903, and the firm of Ruhe & Lange occupies a, preeminent position in their profession in this part of the state. Among the larger and more important buildings of Allentown, which have been erected on plans drawn by Mr. Ruhe, are the Young Men's Christian Association building, Muhlenberg College buildings, Farr building, Haas building, Christ Lutheran church. Franklin school additions, German Catholic School and Convent, Elk's Club House and Mack Bros, Motor Car Company buildings. The Catasauqua National Bank, the Lehigh Country Club, the Lehigh Valley Trust Company building and the residences of C. A. Matcham, C. F. Mosser, Edw. W. Ruhe, John Taylor, Wm.D. Schantz and John T. Little, of Allentown, and of Herman Kostenbader, J. W. Fuller. Jr., and Frank M. Horn, of Catasauqua, are among the evidences of his skill and handiwork.

Mr. Rube married, May 2, 1906, Lillian K. daughter of Oscar H. Mink of Allentown. He is a member of St. John's Reformed Church and also of the Livingston Club, Lehigh Country Club, Allentown Lodge of Elks and Jordan Lodge, No. 673, F. and A. M.