Biography of James Rutherford, Independence Co, AR *********************************************** This file was contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by: Michael Brown Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgenwebarchives.org *********************************************** ---------------------------------------------------------------------- SOURCE: Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Northeast Arkansas. Chicago: The Goodspeed Publishing Co., 1889. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- page 711 Hon. James Rutherford. ex-State senator. a highly-esteemed citizen of Independence County, was born in Rutherfordton, Rutherford County, N. C., on July 7, 1825. This county was named after Gen. Rutherford, of Revolutionary fame, and a distant relative of the senator's. Walter B. Rutherford. the father, was a Scotchman. who emigrated to America when twenty years of age, and resided for twenty five years in Rutherford County, afterward moving to Batesville, Ark., in 1850, where he died October 17, 1865. The elder Rutherford was a man firm in his convictions. and sensitive of his honor. and up to the time of his death was a citizen of considerable influence in the community. His father. Alexander Rutherford, was one of the leading lawyers of Edinburgh, Scotland, and his wife. Sarah (McTyre*) Rutherford, was a native of Georgia. who died in Independence County, Ark., in 1870, at the age of seventy-five years. They were the parents of nine children: Catherine, Isabelle, Alexander, Walter, James. William, Mary A., Amelia and George. James Rutherford remained in North Carolina until the age of twenty-three years. when he moved to Batesville. in 1849. two years in advance of his parents, and has resided at that place ever since. His elucation was limited to a common school and academic course, but his natural abilities and literary tastes soon placed him on a level with some of the smartest men of that section. It has been a common belief that for one to be successful in after life he must, as a rule. sow his wild oats in boyhood, but in Mr. Rutherford's case this theory has been exploded. He has never sowed his wild oats, has never gambled. drank, nor sworn an oath, and in his later life he has remained always the same practical. moral man. and becoming more suceessful year after year. He owns several valuable farms, having nearly 1,000 acres under cultivation, and raises almost everything that the soil will produce. commencing his life with only 160 acres of land. Public offices have been bestowed upon him, on account of his intelligence, tact and integrity, and these talents have commanded for him the respect of every citizen interested in public affairs. In 1861 he went into the State service as first lieutenant of Dye's company, in Colonel [p.711] Shaver's regiment, afterward known as Seventh Arkansas Regiment, and then transferred to the Confederate service. He commanded a company at the battle of Shiloh, in which the lieutenant-colonel was killed, and Mr. Rutherford was immediately promoted to fill his place. serving until the reorganization, in August. 1862 when he resigned and came home. At Batesville he accepted the position of provost marshal. remaining in that capacity for four or five months. and for the balance of the war he was enrolling officer at that town. At Grand Glaize be was taken prisoner. on February 4th, 1863, and detained at Little Rock for three months. Senator Rutherford became an Odd Fellow at Lincolnton, N. C., and is the oldest living member of the Batesville Lodge. He is a member of no other secret order. In politics he was a Whig from boyhood until the death of that party, when he became a Democrat. He was a Secessionist in theory, but contended that it was bad policy to secede, although he stood firmly with the Confederacy to the bitter end. For the last six years he has attended as a delegate to the State conventions of the Democratic party, but has never taken an active part in polities, except when canvassing for himself. In 1850 he was elected justice of the peace, just one year after moving to the county, and served four years. In the troublesome times of 1874 he was elected a delegate from Independence County to the constitutional convention that framed the present constitution of the State, and in 1879 he was elected for four years as State senator for the counties of Independence and Stone. During the session of 1880 he was chairman of the finance committee. and also of the special senate committee on revenue, and reported the famous revenue law which Gov. Churchill vetoed. Senator Rutherford was married in Batesville, on November 12th, 1862. to Miss Maria Lonisa Hynson, of Independence County, a daughter of Henry Hynson, one of that county's well known merchants. Mrs. Rutherford is a charming lady, and is almost her husband's equal in tact and good judgment. In fact, it is partly due to her advice and good management that the senator has built up his fortune. Their marriage has been blessed with four sons and two daughters: George L., James B., William A., Medford M., May B. and Sophia A. The senator is a man who never allows politics to interfere with his friendships, as is shown by the fact that some of his political opponents are his personal friends. He is regarded as the best financier in Independence County, and, as an eminent citizen of Arkansas says of him, “He has an undisputed character for honesty and integrity, and is strictly moral”. *Footnote This name is spelled Tyrie, by Capt. George W. Rutherford.