Wells Family - Person Sheet
Wells Family - Person Sheet
NameWilliam Merle Ruttan 
Birth17 Jun 1897, Leavenworth, Leavenworth Co, KS
Census6 Jun 1900, Leavenworth, Leavenworth Co, KS
Memoroll#486, ED 94, Sht 8
Census3 May 1910, Wallace, Wallace Co, KS
Memoroll#455, pg 162
Census6 Jan 1920, Grainfield, Gove Co, KS
Memoroll#530, ED 44, Sht 2
Census4 Apr 1930, Bakersfield, Kern Co, CA
MemoED#15, pg 6
Census11 Apr 1940, Bakersfield, Kern Co, CA
MemoED#15-16, pg 63
Death12 Nov 1947, Bakersfield, Kern Co, CA
OccupationCarpenter
FatherWilliam Henry Ruttan (1873-1940)
MotherMabel Florence Fenton (1879-1970)
Misc. Notes
Birth registration lists his parents as living at 11th & Pennsylvania.
I had his birth date as 17 Jun 1897 from family documents and death record, etc. but got a birth record from Leavenworth Co showing 18 Jun. Interesting enough, he is listed twice with his birth as June 5th and June 17th on his WWI Draft registration in Aug 1918, Grainfield KS.
He trained three months in Camp Funston and was then discharged. He was still living with his father’s family in 1920, shortly before his marriage.
Listed with his wife and daughter in Bakersfield in 1930, and then married, but living by himself as a lodger with the Dehanen family in 1940, working as a carpenter.
They were apparently divorced shorthly thereafter, as Vera was remarried by 1942.
Similarly, family data said his death was 13 Nov, but death record shows it as 12 Nov. Was an alcoholic and died of pneumonia from exposure.
[Memorial] The Bakersfield Californian - Monday, 17 November 1947, pg 21
We wish to express our appreciation for the kindness and sympathy of our friends during our rerent bereavement and for their beautiful floral offerings.
(Signed) Mrs. Frances Ruttan Holland, Mrs. Mabel Wendell, Mrs. Mildred Shaw.
I had his birth date as 17 Jun 1897 from family documents and death record, etc. but got a birth record from Leavenworth Co showing 18 Jun. Interesting enough, he is listed twice with his birth as June 5th and June 17th on his WWI Draft registration in Aug 1918, Grainfield KS.
He trained three months in Camp Funston and was then discharged. He was still living with his father’s family in 1920, shortly before his marriage.
Listed with his wife and daughter in Bakersfield in 1930, and then married, but living by himself as a lodger with the Dehanen family in 1940, working as a carpenter.
They were apparently divorced shorthly thereafter, as Vera was remarried by 1942.
Similarly, family data said his death was 13 Nov, but death record shows it as 12 Nov. Was an alcoholic and died of pneumonia from exposure.
[Memorial] The Bakersfield Californian - Monday, 17 November 1947, pg 21
We wish to express our appreciation for the kindness and sympathy of our friends during our rerent bereavement and for their beautiful floral offerings.
(Signed) Mrs. Frances Ruttan Holland, Mrs. Mabel Wendell, Mrs. Mildred Shaw.
Spouses
Birth12 Nov 1902, Grainfield, Gove Co, KS
Death18 Nov 1991, Bakersfield, Kern Co, CA
BurialHillcrest Memorial Park, Bakersfield, Kern Co, CA
FatherPaul Joseph Highley (1884-1962)
MotherCarrie Mae Heiney (1879-1962)
Misc. Notes
Came to Bakersfield,CA at 19, shortly after her marriage to William the prior year.
She, husband William and daughter Frances listed together in 1930.
Vera and daughter Frances are listed along with others as lodgers in the home of Hugh and Lela Denio in 1940, where they had been living since 1935. Vera listed as widowed (37, KS), although William still living, with Frances as age 18.
Thet must have divorced, as she is listed as married to Perry Robbe as early as 1942 in the Bakersfield city directory and his WWII draft registraion.
Married Perry Richard Robbe (24 Aug 1898 IA -1 Apr 1984 CA) about 1941.
Died of Alzheimers with the name of Robbe, and buried with her second husband.
She, husband William and daughter Frances listed together in 1930.
Vera and daughter Frances are listed along with others as lodgers in the home of Hugh and Lela Denio in 1940, where they had been living since 1935. Vera listed as widowed (37, KS), although William still living, with Frances as age 18.
Thet must have divorced, as she is listed as married to Perry Robbe as early as 1942 in the Bakersfield city directory and his WWII draft registraion.
Married Perry Richard Robbe (24 Aug 1898 IA -1 Apr 1984 CA) about 1941.
Died of Alzheimers with the name of Robbe, and buried with her second husband.
Marriage29 Jul 1920, Hays, Ellis Co, KS
Divorce
ChildrenFrances Lorraine (1921-2013)