The Rutherford family is of old Pennsylvania stock and sprung from Thomas Rutherford, who emigrated to the United States in 1728. This patriarch was of Scotch descent, although by birth Irish. He came over to the colonies with the first exodus of the hardy people from Europe. He was born in the vicinity of Cookstown, in the county of Tyrone, Ireland, and was a man of character and commanding influence among the early pioneers of Pennsylvania, being of stout build and hardy constitution, such as was necessary to the first settlers. He was betrothed prior to leaving Ireland to Miss Jane Mordah who, however, preceded him to America. When he arrived on the shores of the Western continent, family tradition has it that his earthy possessions consisted of one English shilling as a capital stock upon which to begin his career in the wilderness of a strange land. Not many months after his arrival here he met his intended, and they were married in 1730. Thomas Rutherford and his good wife lived to an advanced age, honored and respected by all who knew them and revered by their many descendants. Thomas died April 18, 1777, and his wife followed him Aug. 10, 1779. They both sleep side by side in the old churchyard of Paxtang Church near Harrisburg, Pa.

The tract of land secured by Thomas Rutherford in Dauphin County, Pa., has remained in possession of the family from that generation to this. The Rutherford family was of old Presbyterian stock. Two brothers who came from Ireland with Thomas settled in New England. The descendants in the female line are scattered over many States in the Union, while but very few of the males have departed far from the ancestral acres.

Beginning with the children of Thomas Rutherford, we have the following record: Agnes, born July 9, 1731, died aged four years; Eleanor, born Jan. 16, 1733, married William Wilson; Jean, born June 22, 1734, married Thomas Mays; John, born Feb. 16, 1737, married Margaret Park; Thomas, Jr., born Feb. 12, 1743, Mary and Elizabeth born Feb. 17, 1745 – Elizabeth died when but eight months old; James, born Aug. 8, 1747, married Margaret Brisbin, Samuel, born Dec. 15, 1749, married Susan Collier; Elizabeth, born Feb. 27, 1752, married Patrick Gallaway.

The children of John and Margaret (Park) Rutherford were Jane, who became the wife of Samuel Hutchinson, a Revolutionary soldier; Martha, born Feb. 27, 1765, married Capt. James Collier, an officer in the Revolutionary War; Thomas, born Nov. 28, 1767, died Oct. 15, 1793, unmarried; Samuel, born July 16, 1769, married Elizabeth Brisbin; Mary, born Sept. 13, 1771, married Robert Gray, a soldier of the Revolution; John, Jr., the father of William who heads this notice, was born Jan. 15, 1774, and died May 1, 1832. He was first married to Jane Meader, and after her death he was married to Priscilla (Espy) Barrett. He had been a surveyor for many years, and was a representative citizen of high standing and great honor among the people of that part of Pennsylvania, whose interests he served for several terms in the State Legislature, about the year 1820, being a staunch supporter of old Hickory Jackson.

William Rutherford, the subject of this sketch, was born Feb. 24, 1830. He was reared and educated in the county of Dauphin, but when he became old enough served an apprenticeship in a printing-office three or four years. He afterward came West to Illinois and located in Dakota Township in Stephenson County, where he purchased 160 acres of land to which he has since added eighty. In 1864 he purchased eighty acres on section 4, in Lancaster Township, and this became his home in 1865, where he has since resided. He has also forty acres in Buckeye Township.

November 1, 1860, Mr. R. was married in Lancaster Township to Miss Mary Hutchinson, daughter of Thomas Hutchinson, yet living on a farm in Dakota Township. Mrs. Rutherford was born in Perry County, Pa., April 15, 1837, and is of a family of nine children. She was but a child when she came to Illinois. She is the mother of four children, viz: Nettie B. is the wife of A. O. Clingman, and resides on Mr. Rutherford’s farm in Dakota Township; Alice, the second daughter, was formerly a student in Jennings’ Seminary at Aurora, but is now at home with her parents; John P., a very promising young man, died from sunstroke Aug. 15, 1887; Thomas H. is still at home. Mr. and Mrs. Rutherford are active members of the United Presbyterian Church, Mr. Rutherford now being one of the Trustees and leading members of the organization. In politics, Mr. Rutherford supports Republican principles.

Contributed by Carol Parrish from Portrait and Biographical Album of Stephenson County, Ill. (1888)