Johann "Peter" Ruth was born ca. 1700 at Steinberg, Germany, the son of Johann Melchior and Maria Catharina Trein Ruth. Anna "Sophia" Lauer was born in 1703 at Hierstein, Germany, the daughter was Hans "Claus" and Maria "Margaretha" Wentz Lauer. Peter Ruth and Sophia Lauer were married in 1724 at Wolfersweiler, Germany. They had four sons, the first three born 1724-1728 at Walhausen, Germany. The family immigrated to America in 1733 and probably settled first in the Myerstown or Stouchsburg area of Berks County, Pennsylvania. After Sophia's death, he married 2) Catharin Mayer Meyer. They had ten children. He died in 1771 in Cumru Township, Berks County, Pennsylvania. Descendants of his oldest three sons lived in Pennsylvania, Illinois, and elsewhere.