Photograph of Reverend Peter Stout Ruth, Rector for St. John's Episcopal Church of Worthington from 1861-1863.

Peter Stout Ruth (b. August 26, 1812; d. July 9, 1894) was a graduate of Kenyon College in Gambier, Ohio. After practicing law for some years, he studied theology in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He was ordained deacon at St. Paul's Church, Troy, Pennsylvania in 1851 and ordained a priest in 1853. He returned to Ohio ca. 1858-1860 and taught at Gambier, Ohio briefly before serving as Rector at St. John's Episcopal Church of Worthington, Ohio from 1861-1863. Between 1863-1874 he served as rector in various locations (Minnesota, Arkansas, & Tennessee) before relocating to California where he was received into the Diocese of California. Rev. Ruth resided in California until his death in 1894. His daughter Fondelia married Worthington Franklin Griswold of Worthington in 1863.