Ella was born on May 12, 1854 near Pierceville, Iowa to Michael Rugh and Zeruah (nee Williams) of Westmoreland County Pennsylvania and Scotland County Missouri.

Her open well, seen here with rope, crank, and oaken bucket was one of the last remnents of pioneer life in Scotland County at the time.

"Aunt Ellie", as she was know effectionately by all who knew and loved her, never married.

She inherited her father's farm in Scotland County where she lived till the time of her death on Janaury 6, 1939.

She is buried in the Prairie View Cemetery in Scotland County.