Frank was born March 3, 1849 in or near Farmington, Iowa to Michael (John Michael) Rugh and Zeruah (nee Williams). He moved as a child with his parents to the family farm near Azen in Scotland County Missouri.

On March 3, 1879 he married Mary Ellen Carder and they moved onto their own farm in Scotland County. Mary Ellen was born in Missouri in April of 1855.

Frank & Mary Ellen had seven children: Leon Leslie, Maude Millie, Grace Mabel, Victor Boon, Florence B., and Ella Zeruah.

Mary Ellen died in 1919 and is buried in the Mount Olive Cemetery in Scotland County, Missouri.

Frank passed away on August 15, 1933 and was also laid to rest in the Mount Olive Cemetery.