Johan Christopher Ruuth I (1768-1822) aka Johan Christopher Örbom of Hede

[Richard Arthur Norton]

Johan Christopher Ruuth I (1768-1822) aka Johan Christopher Örbom, Vicar on the Graninge estate from 1804 to 1808; 19th Vicar of Hede, Sweden from 1808 to 1822 (b. December 07, 1768, Näskott, Faxälven, Jämtland, Sweden - d. July 16, 1822, Hede, Sweden) Son of Erik Johan Orbom, Major at Jämtland regiment and Helena Ruuth aka Helena von der Hude. He went to Frösö school, just a little south of Näskott, came to Härnösand highschool in 1783, and became a university student in Uppsala in 1787. For several years he was a private tutor in the manors in Ågermansland. He was ordained as a priest December 09, 1792 and took his mother’s maiden name, Ruut as his own. After his ordination he was the assistant for Per Rissler in Sveg. When Rissler died, Johan took over. On October 21, 1795 he took over the parish in Linsell, south of Hede, and on November 17, 1803 he took over in Graninge in Sollefteå. He took his final exam March 14, 1806. After 5 years in Graininge he came to Hede on May 25, 1808, where he was for 14 years. Johan married Catharina Martinell (1773-1813) on August 04, 1796 in Näskott, Sweden and had the following children: Catharina Helena Ruut (1797-?) who was born in Linsell, married Michael Huss (1782-1836), a vicar and they lived in Mo; Johanna Gustafva Ruut (1800-1860) who married Israel Israelsson Näslund III (1796-1858); Eric Gustav Ruut (1803-1864) who was a student in 1822 and later joined the King's Guard; Jacob Efraim Ruut (1808-?) who was born in Hult and went to school in Härnösand and traveled to Finland with an acting group, that later came to St. Petersburg where he first became a teacher and then obtained a counsellor position; Kristina Margarita Ruut (1810-?) born in Hede and married Carl Gustav Högström, a bookbinder in 1833, they lived in Östersund; Carl Johan Ruut (1812-1832) born in Hede, commited suicide 28 December 1832 in Stallmästargården (the stable master's house) in Stockholm; and Maria Elizabeth Ruut (1813-1815). Catharina Martinell died in childbirth with her last child. After her death Johan married Elisabeth Margareta Nordenström (1784-1825) and had the following children: Sara Elizabeth Ruut (1816-?); Sara Maria Ruuth (1817-?) who married Olof Jacob Weidner, a priest and they lived in Sunne; Johan Olov Ruut (1817-1853) who was a priest in Multrå; and Johan Christopher Ruut II (1823-?) who was a priest in Stöde. It was said of Johan Christopher Ruuth I that he was a faithful shepherd and a tender friend of the people. He had exeptionally good health, but had a stroke the July 16, 1822, and died the same day, in his 55th year.