California Biographies Transcribed by Peggy Hooper This file is part of the California Genealogy & History Archives http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~cagha/index.htm Source: History of the state of California and biographical record of the San Joaquin Valley, California. An historical story of the state's marvelous growth from its earliest settlement to the present time. Prof. James Miller Guinn , A. M. The Chapman Publishing Co., Chicago 1905 Notes: Missing Page: 865-866,983-984,1175-1176 WILLIAM W. RUTHERFORD. A typical representative of the honorable, determined and fearless Scotchman is found in William W. Rutherford, a California pioneer of 1854, who, though now living retired in Oakdale, was for many years identified with stock raising and dairying in Stanislaus county. On the threshold of his eighty-first year, Mr. Rutherford scans the horizon of the past with clear eyes, and looks confidently forward to many more years of peaceful existence. His history since early manhood is that of the west, for he arrived when its possibilities were beginning to fret the mind of the nation, and he has progressed in the wake of its picturesque and ofttimes lurid path. He has known the exposure of its vast stretches of unfenced land, the deprivation incident to its uncultivated soil, and the joy of its fulfilled prom- ise. That he has taken a noble part in its development, is his own and the pride of his friends and associates. That few Scotchmen came to the west in its crude awakening is generally believed. Their conservatism rebelled at -the element of chance involved in its undertaking. Those that came left their strength and reliability upon whatever occupation they chose to engage in. Mr. Ruth- erford is no exception to this rule. Born in Roxburgh, southern Scotland, March 10, 1824, he was an infant when his paternal grandfather, John Rutherford, set forth to make a home for himself and family in St. Lawrence county, N. Y. Reports sent back were so favorable, that in 1827 he was taken by his parents, William and Catherine (Forsyth) Rutherford, to America, locating on a farm near Madrid, St. Lawrence county. Besides William W., who is the fifth oldest and only living son in his father's family, there were four sons and five daughters, of whom James, who came to the coast in the early days, died in the territory of Nevada. Mr. Rutherford inherits the trait of longevity, for his father lived to be ninety and his mother eighty years old. His educational chances were limited in the extreme, and his lessons of life were learned from the great teachers, observation and experience. From the drudgery of farm work he turned his attention to carpentering, and while thus employed had his thought turned into broader channels by his cousin, J. F. Rutherford, but recently returned from the west, to pur- chase and drive back across the plains a herd of cattle. The opportunity presented did not escape the young carpenter, who accompanied his relative to Illinois and Missouri, and assist- ed him in purchasing cattle with which to stock the ranges of the far west. Starting overland in April, they took turns in driving stock on alternating days, and with comparatively little diffi- culty arrived in California by way of the Walker river, turning their stock loose in the San Joa- quin valley, Stanislaus county. Thereafter they engaged in stock raising in Stanislaus and Tuo- lumne county, and at the same time Mr. Rutherford ran a dairy at Keller's Ferry, his combined efforts netting him an encouraging income. A depreciation in stock values sent the business to a low level, yet notwithstanding this, the cattle were disposed of with small actual loss, after which he purchased cattle for $5 a head which formerly had been valued at $40. An opportun- ity for making money was presented in the Chinese Camp, where he, in partnership with Robert McHenry, engaged in the meat business during the mining rush. Starting all over again, he en- gaged in raising hogs until 1865, and that year entered land five miles from what is now Oak- dale, on the Stanislaus river. Building a house and barns, and making many improvements, he developed a fine and paying property, adding to it until he owned eleven hundred and fifty acres in the river ranch, and three hundred and twenty acres near there. He engaged in raising grain and hogs principally, and was very successful also as to general farming. In 1891 he located in Oakdale, built a pleasant home, and has since made this his headquarters. From 1897 .until 1902 he lived in Paloalto, to educate his children, returning then to Oakdale, where he contem- plates spending the balance of his life. In Stanislaus county Mr. Rutherford married Mrs. Melvina (Stearns) Gray, a native of Beth- el, Me., who came to California about 1856. Mrs. Rutherford died in California, May 10, 1904, having had two children by her second marriage, Catherine and *Mina, who are twins. Through her former marriage four sons and one daughter were born, of whom Frank Gray lives in Honolulu ; William and Newton run the Rutherford ranch ; Thomas is an attorney of Oak- land, and a graduate of Stanford University ; and Emma is the wife of William Judkins, of Oakdale. Long since Mr. Rutherford laid aside the cares of active life, going occasionally to his farm, and visiting the friends who have helped to make life enjoyable. He has never taken an active interest in politics, but has voted the Republican ticket in national affairs, using his discretion in voting for local offices. In religion he is a Presbyterian. Mr. Rutherford has retained a remarkable serenity and clearness of mind, and an unusual interest in the affairs and people around him. He is respected for his integrity and success, and for the usefulness and nobility of his well-balanced and moderate life.