Alameda County Biographies

CHARLES B. RUTHERFORD

Transcribed by Kathy Sedler

This file is part of the California Genealogy & History Archives http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~cagha/index.htm

Was born in Newburyport, Massachusetts, September 24, 1824, but at ten years of 
age went to Ontario County, New York, where he entered the Canandaigua Academy, 
joining it at the same time that Stephen A. Douglas graduated therefrom.  Two 
years thereafter he took up his residence with an uncle living in the vicinity 
of Rochester, and with him dwelt until he reached eighteen years of age.  In the 
meantime his father, who was a Revolutionary soldier, served the full seven 
years and was for some time in the Government Secret Service, carrying 
communications between all parts of the world, and served through all the 
administrations from Washington to Jackson.  In 1842 our subject proceeded to 
Boston, where he learned the trade of painter, embarking in the business on his 
own account after two years.  In 1849 he went to San Antonio, Texas, and there 
served as Quartermaster�s Clerk in the Government, where he remained until July, 
1852.  He then proceeded through Mexico to Mazatlan, and there taking passage in 
the Mexican vessel Maria, arrived in San Francisco October 4, 1852.  He at once 
found employment at his trade, working for ten dollars per day wages, for about 
six weeks, when he removed to Tuolumne County and there engaged in business for 
himself for nine years.  After passing a twelvemonth in San Francisco, and 
spending a short time in San Luis Obispo County, where he resided during the 
year of 1863, he came to Alameda County, started in his present business and for 
the past fourteen years has carried it on at No. 1014 Broadway, Oakland.  Mr. 
Rutherford was the County Public Administrator for the term 1876 to 1881.  
Married, in Oakland, to Miss Ellen Trover, a native of Albany, New York, and has 
six children, viz.:  Charles F., Mary (now Mrs. J. Howland), Linda (now Mrs. 
Samuel Stow), Nellie, Edward, and Anita.
 
History of Alameda County, California�, Oakland, M.W. Wood Publ., 1883, p. 970-971