William Henderson Rutherford

FREESTONE, HARLOW, JAMES, MCNEELEY, RUTHERFORD

Posted By: Judy Wight Branson (email)
Date: 8/13/2004 at 11:07:14

William Rutherford owns and operates a well improved farm of eighty acres on section 28, Scott township, whereon he and his wife have resided continuously since their marriage in 1867, or for a period of forty-seven years. His birth occurred in Clark county, Indiana, on the i5th of January, 1847, his parents being Elijah and Rebecca (Harlow) Rutherford, who were natives of Kentucky and Pennsylvania respectively. They came to Madison county, Iowa, in 1858, and spent the remainder of their lives on the farm which is now in the possession of our subject.

William Rutherford, who was eleven years of age when brought to this county by his parents, has remained within its borders continuously since and has followed general agricultural pursuits throughout his entire business career with good results. As above stated, his farm embraces eighty acres of rich and productive land on section 28, Scott township, and in the careful management of his interests he has won a gratifying annual income.

In 1867 Mr. Rutherford was united in marriage to Miss Susan James, who was born in Madison county, Indiana, November 8, 1847, her parents being Benjamin and Hannah (Freestone) James, the former a native of North Carolina and the latter of Henry county, Ohio. They were married in Indiana and came to Madison county, Iowa, in 1854, settling first in Scott township and a year later in Douglas township, where both passed away. To Mr. and Mrs. Rutherford have been born four children, namely: Luther J. and James S. F., both of whom died in infancy; Erminta Isabelle, who is the wife of John McNeeley, of Winterset; and Outher S., at home.

The religious faith of the family is that of the Methodist church. During the long period of their residence in this county Mr. and Mrs. Rutherford have made a host of friends who esteem them highly as people of genuine personal worth and upright, honorable lives.

Taken from the book, “The History of Madison County, Iowa, 1915”