Background
Frank E. Rutan was born in 1861 in Newark, New Jersey, United States.
Frank E. Rutan was born in 1861 in Newark, New Jersey, United States.
He was trained in architecture in the Boston office of Gambrill & Richardson.
In 1886 when the newly organized firm of Shepley, Rutan & Coolidge established an office in Boston, Frank Rutan was employed as draftsman. A few years later he was sent to Pittsburgh to supervise erection of the Allegheny Court House, one of Mr. Richardson's last commissions executed by the firm. Following its completion he decided to remain in Pittsburgh, and in 1896 formed a partnership with Frederick A. Russell (Rutan & Russell). During his few remaining years he was connected with the planning and/or erection of two of the firm’s most important works, the Lincoln and Schenley Hotels in Pittsburgh, also a number of office buildings and many residences.