BIO: John RUTHERFORD, Dauphin County, PA

Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by JAWB

Copyright 2006.  All rights reserved.
http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm
http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/dauphin/
http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/dauphin/runk/runk-bios.htm
_______________________________________________________________ 

Commemorative Biographical Encyclopedia of Dauphin County, 
Containing Sketches of Representative Citizens, and Many of the 
Early Scotch-Irish and German Settlers.  Chambersburg, Pa.: 
J. M. Runk & Company, 1896, page 177.
_______________________________________________________________ 

  RUTHERFORD, CAPT. JOHN, son of Thomas Rutherford, the pioneer, was 
born February 16, 1737, in Donegal, Lancaster county, Pa.  He 
accompanied his father to Paxtang in 1755.In the year 1760, in 
connection with the latter, he purchased the plantation, containing 
nearly four hundred acres, on which Rutherford station, on the 
Philadelphia & Reading railroad, is now (1895) located.  This property, 
although divided into three tracts, is still owned by the descendants; 
and his mansion house, built before the Revolution, is used as a 
dwelling by his great-grandchildren. When the troubles with England 
arose, which led to the struggle for independence, he was active in his 
opposition to British tyranny. He was a member and officer, throughout 
the war, of the "Liberty Association of Pennsylvania," and served as 
captain of a company in the campaigns of 1776 and 1777 in the Jerseys 
and Eastern Pennsylvania.  He afterwards commanded a detachment from 
several companies against the Indians.  Throughout his life we find Mr. 
Rutherford's name connected with many enterprises, both civil and 
ecclesiastical, which show him to have been a representative man and 
trusted citizen.  He died at his home in Paxtang October 2, 1804.  
Captain Rutherford married, February 4, 1762, Margaret Parke, born 
1737; died January 18, 1810.