Ruth Smith Richards' early life was spent traveling throughout the state of Ohio with her parents and two younger brothers. Her father was a minister in the Christian Union Church. The family began their journey in Washington County. They relocated frequently due to their ministerial duties. They eventually settled in Licking County. There were many stops in between. Ruth studied the history of the various regions. She enjoyed presenting the history in her own words in the form of prose and poetry.

After graduating from Newark High School, she went on to attend Denison University at Granville, and graduated from Muskingum College at New Concord with a degree in teaching. She taught at several one- room schools in Licking County in the 1930’s.

She wrote columns and articles for local newspapers and was successful in getting her work published in several anthologies of poetry. In 1939 she had her first book published, Among My Souvenirs, by Christian Union Press of Excelsior Springs, Missouri.

Following her marriage to Edward R. "Ted" Richards in 1936, the family settled in Knox County, primarily the Brandon and Mount Vernon areas. She was active in this area with the Brandon Baptist Church, Miller Grange, and the Rebekah Lodge. She was also well known and respected as a Stanley Home Products dealer in the Knox County area.

Ruth passed away in 1970. Her works were not published until 2002. Her daughter, Linda Richards Arms, compiled her mother's material into the volumes available for purchase at this site.

Please take a look.

Any comments or questions regarding the books, please email Linda@ohiomemories.net.