Hi Sharon,
I don't have Ancestry.com and I don't know if you have or have been searching online using that service . It is expensive, however, I did find it invaluable when I started my search for ancestors. I used it extensively for about 3 years, along with rootsweb leaving numerous messages under the surnames. which is how I located second cousins, as well as they found me.
I no longer have Ancestry. some persons here do though and I think if you gave Alberts full name as written in the 1860 census for Missouri, his age, and Christina's as well as the children's ages. Someone may have some ideas for you.
Have you checked to see if he joined either of the armies during the civil war period. 1860 - 1865., and if so, he name should appear somewhere, even though many did not join up until the later years. Obtaining NARA records, more expensive now then in the time I received mine, gave information. , and back to one of my original questions ? Have you followed through census records,marriage records , those of his children and again. Do you have Albert's death record ?
Often, biographical sketches are included in books many counties published, and are available for review or by writing and/or purchasing.
Yes, there are many ways to spell Rueter, etc. which will be handy to know when you are searching for his name on ship records. However, I am going to assume you have his full name as written on the 1860 census. This is logically the most accurate spelling, as a census taker may have asked for the spelling, whereas doubtful a ships purser would.
The largest mistake that can be made in searching for genealogical information is to assume or take another's family as your own, gathering info, as this can throw wrenches into the search. I always kept an additional file of unknowns, or shall we say possibilities in one place as they may or may not be of concern.
If worst comes to worst, I suggest you hire a genealogical search group, as they are generally quite expert in searching. Even if you find his name on ships's records, it is doubtful you will find more then a reference to his country other then Germany, during this time of emigration from there.
Jane