Individual Details
Ruth Smith
(4 Nov 1878 - 4 Oct 1928)
In aquiring Ruth's divorce papers from Wyoming, I was told by the clerk that the divorce was one of the speediest they had ever seen. They also had records of court cases against Mr. Servatius pertaining to misuse of funds or stealing. Perhaps this had to do with his contracting business.
After her divorce in Wyoming in June 1922, Ruth moved to San Diego, California and her name is Ruth Castle. She purchased Castle Court (cottages) at 4181-87 30th Street. This purchase leads one to speculate if she was hiding from her husband and had taken enough money to purchase the motor court. In later years these units were torn down and a large grocery store was built in its place.
Ruth Castle worked as a draftswoman and map maker for Southern Title and Trust Company in 1927 according to the San Diego City Directories.
Obituary of Ruth Castle in the San Diego Union, 6 October 1928: CASTLE-At the residence 4101 Thirtieth St., Oct. 4, 1928, Mrs. Ruth Castle, mother of Janet Ruth Castle of San Diego; a native of Iowa, aged 50 years. Friends and members of Southern Star Chapter No. 96 O. E. S., and the White Shrine and members of the Rebekah lodge are invited to attend the funeral services Saturday Oct. 6, at 2 pm at Merkley's University Undertaking Parlors, 2655 Fifth avenue, under the direction of Rebekah Silver Gate Lodge No. 141. Interment Mount Hope cemetery.
Ruth's death certificate states she had been in California for 5 years 6 months. She left Wyoming in June 1922 and by April 1923 was in San Diego as the widow of John Castle. It is doubtful she had remarried and became a widow in less than a year. She evidently changed her name as well as her daughter's maiden name to escape problems of the past.
After her divorce in Wyoming in June 1922, Ruth moved to San Diego, California and her name is Ruth Castle. She purchased Castle Court (cottages) at 4181-87 30th Street. This purchase leads one to speculate if she was hiding from her husband and had taken enough money to purchase the motor court. In later years these units were torn down and a large grocery store was built in its place.
Ruth Castle worked as a draftswoman and map maker for Southern Title and Trust Company in 1927 according to the San Diego City Directories.
Obituary of Ruth Castle in the San Diego Union, 6 October 1928: CASTLE-At the residence 4101 Thirtieth St., Oct. 4, 1928, Mrs. Ruth Castle, mother of Janet Ruth Castle of San Diego; a native of Iowa, aged 50 years. Friends and members of Southern Star Chapter No. 96 O. E. S., and the White Shrine and members of the Rebekah lodge are invited to attend the funeral services Saturday Oct. 6, at 2 pm at Merkley's University Undertaking Parlors, 2655 Fifth avenue, under the direction of Rebekah Silver Gate Lodge No. 141. Interment Mount Hope cemetery.
Ruth's death certificate states she had been in California for 5 years 6 months. She left Wyoming in June 1922 and by April 1923 was in San Diego as the widow of John Castle. It is doubtful she had remarried and became a widow in less than a year. She evidently changed her name as well as her daughter's maiden name to escape problems of the past.
Events
| Birth | 4 Nov 1878 | Dubuque, Dubuque Co., Iowa |  | ||
| Marriage | 17 Jun 1900 | Rockford, Winnebago Co., Illinois - Joseph E. Servatius | | ||
| Divorce | 21 Apr 1922 | Casper, Natrona Co., Wyoming - Joseph E. Servatius | | ||
| Death | 4 Oct 1928 | San Diego, San Diego Co., California | | ||
| Burial | Mount Hope Cemetery, San Diego, San Diego Co., California | |
Families
| Spouse | Joseph E. Servatius (1875 - 1959) |
| Child | Baby Boy Servatius (1901 - ) |
| Child | Janet Ruth Servatius (1903 - 1979) |
| Father | William Wayne Smith (1849 - 1923) |
| Mother | Ida Emma Isadore Hosier (1854 - 1940) |
| Sibling | Mamie Smith (1872 - 1876) |
| Sibling | William Ara Smith (1875 - 1943) |
| Sibling | Charles Edward "Ed" Smith (1877 - 1945) |
| Sibling | Huldah Beach Smith (1882 - 1954) |
| Sibling | Roy John Smith (1885 - 1958) |
| Sibling | Raymond Fenimore Smith (1891 - 1951) |
Endnotes
1. Abigail Farris & James Clason By Fay Morehouse Medhaug, April 1987.
2. Death Certificate of Ruth Castle.
3. Marriage License of Joseph Servatius and Ruth Smith.
4. Divorce Decree Notice.
5. Obituary of Ruth Castle, San Diego Union Newspaper, 6 October 1928.
6. Death Certificate of Ruth Castle.
7. Obituary of Ruth Castle, San Diego Union Newspaper, 6 October 1928.