Ruth Vendla Marie Moll
March 24, 2021
Women’s History Month can be traced back to 1911 and the first International Women’s Day, but it wasn’t until the 1980s that US Presidents began designating the month of March as Women’s History Month. In studying the many women who played an important part in Deere Homes history, there are many I could choose to feature. You might be surprised that I am not choosing a Deere family member. Instead I have decided to do a 2-part series on Ruth Moll.
Many familiar with the early years of Butterworth Center remember Ruth as a central fixture. She was Director of Butterworth Center from 1956 until her retirement in 1990, at the age of 93. For this month, we are going to go back to the beginning and learn about Ruth’s childhood and how she became a staff member in the household of William and Katherine Butterworth.
Ruth Vendla Marie was born on January 22, 1897, to Frank Isaac Moll and Johanna Elizabeth Alice Lindquist. Sadly, her father died February 26, 1897, when Ruth was just 5 weeks old. The Rock Island Argus, on February 27, states that he accidently fell out a third floor opening in a Deere & Co. warehouse, breaking his neck and sustaining severe head injuries. Fellow workers found him after they had stopped work for the day.
Johanna was left to raise four daughters named Edna, Nora, Edith, and Ruth. She took in roomers at their home, 725 14th Street, Moline, to support the family. The family was lifelong members of First Lutheran Church, in Moline.
At 5’10”, Ruth was active on the interclass basketball team. She served as Captain to the Junior and Senior teams. In 1913 and 1914, Ruth’s class won the Interclass Tournament Championship. Besides being active in basketball, Ruth was also on the honor roll. I especially enjoy the words listed in the MHS 1914 yearbook about Ruth, “A daughter of the gods, divinely tall and most fair.”
Ruth had dreams of becoming a history teacher. After graduation she headed off to Macomb, IL, to study at Western Illinois University. At the end of her first year, Ruth came home to find work. Her mother was ill, and she needed to help her family and hopefully earn money to eventually go back to WIU and finish her degree. Her life though was about to change forever, sending her on a very different path.
Ruth told me many years ago about Lyla Meinken, who worked for the Butterworths. In 1916, Mrs. Butterworth asked Lyla to become her personal maid. She declined as she was leaving Hillcrest to get married. Mrs. Butterworth than asked another employee, Millie Eldean to take the position, but she was also to be married in 1916. Ruth’s sister Nora, who worked for the Wiman family, suggested Ruth for the job. Ruth hoped to return to Macomb in the fall but agreed to take the job for the summer. I can still remember Ruth telling me that she went to work at the Butterworth home and within a week, Mrs. Butterworth said, “Ruth, pack your bags. We are going to Cuba.” And Ruth said to me, “I never left.” Here was a young lady, age 19, who had probably never traveled farther than Macomb, IL, from her home in Moline. How exciting this must have been to her. This was just the start of a fascinating life of travel and experiences. I especially enjoy the photograph below taken of Ruth on a beach during travels with William and Katherine Butterworth. Don’t be alarmed by the photograph as it appears Ruth doesn’t have a right arm. Just an exposure problem.
Another favorite story that Ruth shared was from her first trip to Cuba. Ruth said that Mr. Butterworth was always concerned about the safety of his staff on trips. If he didn’t feel the hotel room assigned to staff was secure enough, he would have the hotel upgrade the room. On this trip Ruth experienced this firsthand. Mr. Butterworth did not feel the door to Ruth’s room provided enough security.
It was this same trip that Ruth was just learning the ropes for traveling with the couple. One task she was assigned was handling Mrs. Butterworth’s traveling jewelry case. When they went to check out of a hotel, Mr. Butterworth pulled her aside and handed her the jewelry case Ruth had forgotten. He made it clear this was her responsibility but not in a harsh manner. Ruth always remembered this and referenced this as describing what a kind and wonderful man William Butterworth was.
In the few years that I knew Ruth, she shared many wonderful stories about life at Hillcrest. She shared many stories about how much she treasured Katherine and William Butterworth. In some ways, Ruth became a daughter to them. Ruth told me that Mrs. Butterworth said if Ruth married, she wanted her to have the wedding at Hillcrest. Ruth never did marry but instead traveled the world with the Butterworths. From pictures and Ruth’s stories, there were men who came courting. I think Ruth was dedicated to the Butterworths and after Mr. Butterworth’s death in 1936, she became even closer to Mrs. Butterworth.
Life at Hillcrest shows a very close-knit staff. I think this is representative of Mr. & Mrs. Butterworth truly caring for their staff. Ruth remembered fondly many of the staff from her year’s in the home. Many pictures show their comradery.
Join me next month when we look at the many trips Ruth took with the Butterworths and the stories she shared. If you have a story of your memories of Ruth, please share them in the comment section.
