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 R. HIRAM RUTHERFORD, of Oakland,
has been a resident of the Prairie State for
over forty-five years, and soon after coming within its borders located on the spot
which he now calls his home. As a physician he
was remarkably successful in his practice, which he
abandoned about fourteen years ago, having accumulated a fortune, and is now the owner of 1,100
acres of some of the finest land in Central Illinois.
He has for many years been prominently identified
with the prosperity of Coles County, and has contributed his full share toward bringing it to its
present condition. The early home of our subject was in Dauphin County, Pa., where his birth took place Dec. 27, 1815. He is the son of William and Sarah (Swan) Rutherford, also natives of Dauphin County, Pa. The father, born Aug. 4, 1776, was married to the mother of our subject March 17, 1801. He followed the occupation of a farmer all his life, accumulating a fair competency, and departed this life at the homestead in Pennsylvania, Jan. 17, 1850. The mother, who was born Dec. 25, 1779, survived her husband but two years, dying in 1852. Their ten children lived to become men and women, and were named as follows: John P.; Martha, now deceased; Dr. William W., a graduate of Jefferson Medical College at Philadelphia; Margaret; Samuel, who died in 1872; Sarah, the wife of Daniel Kendrick; Abner; Hiram, of our sketch; Mary, who died in infancy, and Cyrus G. The youth and childhood of Dr. Rutherford were spent on the farm in Pennsylvania, and his education was received in the common schools during the winter season. When eighteen years of age he took up the study of medicine, under the instruction of his brother William, at Harrisburg, at which he continued three years, and afterward pursued his studies at Jefferson Medical College, from which he was graduated in 1838. His certificate dates back further than any physician’s in Coles County. He commenced the practice of his profession in Likens Valley, on the Susquehanna, in 1838, whence he removed West two years later, and has since been a resident of this county. Since first coming here he has been identified with the local interests of Oakland, representing the township in the County Board of Supervisors seven years, officiating as School Director for several years, and being Township Treasurer thirty-five years. With this record further words are not necessary to illustrate the status of his position among his fellow-townsmen and the county at large. He was prominent in the organization of the bank at Oakland, of which he has been a Director for some years. Dr. Rutherford was bred by his excellent parents to principles of freedom and equal rights, and when old enough to exercise the rights of an American citizen, indicated his opposition to slavery by harboring fugitives, for which, at one time (1847) he was sued for damages to the amount of $2,500; this was non-suited, and another suit respecting the liberty of the slaves, resulted in a decision favorable to the Doctor, who espoused their cause. Abe Lincoln was engaged in this case as opposing counsel. O. B. Ficklin and Judge Constable were the Doctor’s attorneys. He began to vote when the old Whig party was in existence, casting his ballot with its followers, and upon the abandonment of the old party cordially identified himself with the Republicans, with whom he has since remained. In all the relations of life he has acquitted himself creditably, and is accounted as one of the finest representatives of the business and social element of that section. |
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