Tuscola County MI Archives Biographies.....Rutherford, Thomas M. 1836 - 
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Joy Fisher sdgenweb@yahoo.com February 20, 2007, 6:38 pm

Author: Chapman Bros. (1892)

THOMAS M. RUTHERFORD. Many fine farms and pleasant rural abodes are contained in
Tuscola County, but none attracts more admiring attention than that on section
30, Juniata Township. This comprises one hundred and fifty acres of finely
improved land, and is devoted to general farming. Here may be noticed a fine set
of farm buildings, such as indicate the thrift of the proprietor, while each
ripening harvest fills the large barns with the golden grain, a tribute to the
care and attention given to the proper cultivation of the soil. While Mr.
Rutherford has gained a competency from his assiduous devotion to his chosen
calling, he has also won the confidence of the community by his upright life and
nobility of character.

  The parents of our subject, John and Mary J. (Miller) Rutherford, were natives
of County Armagh, Ireland, where their son Thomas was born August 4, 1836. In
May, 1856, they emigrated to America, and coming directly to Michigan, located
in Tuscola County. In the schools of Ireland, which were supported by a fund
devised by Erasmus Smith, our subject received his education and was in his
early manhood when he accompanied his parents to the United States. His life
calling has been that of a farmer, and until he was twenty-six years of age he
worked for his father, who had purchased sixty acres of wild, unimproved land.

  Mr. Rutherford has been twice married. His first wife bore the maiden name of
Adelaide Warren, and resided in Vassar, where the ceremony which united their
destinies was celebrated August 10, 1865. One son came to brighten their home—
George, who was born July 12, 1866, and now resides in Saginaw. After the death
of the first wife, Mr. Rutherford was again married, August 10, 1867, to Miss
Lydia J. Miller, of Juniata Township. Their congenial union was blessed by the
birth of five children, as follows: Mary J., born July 30, 1869; Herbert L.,
August 30, 1870; Elmer F., April 26, 1872; Charles S., November 26, 1873; and
Guy B., January 22, 1882. On April 23, 1888, the household was again
overshadowed by the angel of death, which removed the beloved wife and tender
mother. Since then the daughter has presided over the family.

  When Mr. Rutherford located here settlers were few, and land unimproved. He is
one of the pioneers of this section of Michigan, and by his industry and hard
labor he has cleared his farm and transformed it into a beautiful home. In
politics he is a Republican, and has been called by his fellow-citizens to fill
the various offices of this township, such as Supervisor and Town Treasurer, he
filling the latter capacity four years. At present he is serving efficiently as
Justice of the Peace. In religious matters he takes great interest, and is a
consistent member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He has been Superintendent
in his Sunday-school for many years. The Order of Patrons of Industry numbers
him among its most efficient members, and he is now Secretary of the
organization. He is an excellent farmer, and his land is managed according to
the dictates of an experienced, thoughtful mind, being therefore productive and
remunerative. In every department of agriculture he uses his best judgment, and
while prudent and cautious, is yet ready to embark in any modern method that
promises good results.


Additional Comments:
Extracted from:

Portrait and Biographical Record of Genesee, Lapeer and Tuscola Counties,
Michigan, Containing Biographical Sketches of Prominent and Representative
Citizens, Together with Biographies of all the Governors of the State, and of
the Presidents of the United States

Chicago:
Chapman Bros.
1892


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