The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1866-08-06


Gently passed away from amongst us.
Colonel J ohm Rutherford died suddenly
at his residence In this city on Friday
night, In the seventy fourth year OF DIS
age. He was, perhaps, the Oldest LIVING
native of Richmond at the time OF his
death. He was the eldest son Of John Ru-
therfoOrd, Sr., whose name is prominent in
the early history Of this city as one Of its
most enterprising, successful, and upright
merchants. A native of Scotland, the
elder Mr.. Rutherford was conspicuous
amongst the considerable community of
Scotch merchants who came to this coun-
try and were his contemporaries in com.
mercisl pursuits. 1t is refreshing to go
back to those men and their times and con.
template the system and order, the pro-
bity and honor, with which they conducted
business. Those sterling men gave tone TO
mercantile intercourse of their day, and
left the impress of their example upon the
generation that succeeded them. Mr..
John Rutherford, Sr., fingered long after
his active career was ended, and closed
his well-Spent life some fifteen years since,
respected and venerated by the commu-
nifty. The estimable gentleman whose de-
mise We now announce was q worthy son
of such father.
Colonel John rutherford began his
public career when very young man. He
completed his collegiate course Ut Prince
ton College, N. j. He soon after
wards came to the Richmond bar as law
yer, and becoming quite popular, was in
short time returned to the Virginia Gene
raj Assembly as the city dclegate-Rish-
mond being then only entitled 10 one repre-
sentative in the House. He was re-
elected for twelve years successfully, We
believe, without opposition, such was his
popularity and the confidence oi his con-
sttucncy in him. He was then elected
member of the Executive Council under
that best of constitutions, Of which George
Mason was the author, and which was badly
amended in lS29-'3O. He was elected
to the Executive Council of three under
the amended Constitution, and discharged
the duties Of Governor, in virtue OF his
office of Lieutenant Governor, more than
once with much honor and credit. lie had
the responsible duty OF filling the office i'll
this way for one year during the vacancy
occaSioned by the resignation of Governor
Glmcr, who threw up his Office, under u
very proper feeling, because the Lcgisa-
ture passed q resolution cenSuring mm Tor
refusing to surrender fugitive from JUS
ticc to the demand of Governor Seward,
of New York, that officer having refused
To surrender fugitive from justice from
Virginia: man who had abducted slaves
from their owner and carried them North.
The Legislature disapprorcd the retalia-
ton, and the Governor resigned. The con-
trovcrsy which was begun 10y him with
Governor Seward was continued on behalf
of Virginia 10y Colonel Rutherford with
decided ability and excellent judgment.
He was a member of the Executive Coun-
Gil for fourteen years.
In 1896 he was elected principal agent
las the bylaws OF the company style the
ofiicc-prcsdcnt as commonly under
stood of the Mutual Assurance Society of
Virginia--the oldest institution OF its
kind in the State, dating back almost To
colonial times, and still enjoying the con-
tidencc of the public, being one Of the
very few insurance companies OF the
South which have survived the war. lie
succeeded in this office that tried and
trusted public officer, Mr.. James Raw
lngs, who was elected President OF the
Farmers Bank Of Virginia to fill the
vacancy occasioncd by the election Of
Judge p. n. Nicholas, its former presi-
dent, as Judge of the Circuit Superior
Court.
Colonel Rutherford was the originator
of the Richmond Faycttc Artillery, which
he commanded for several years.
Though always Il conservative gentle
man, he took part in the politics OF the
day: was for many years member OF
the Executive Committee of the Demo-
cratic party, and he contributed his share
to the success of that party by his practi-
cal wisdom and sound advice.
These are the general facts relative TO
the public services Of Colonel rutherford.
His intellect, though not brilliant, was
strong, we'll balanced, and steady. His
manners were graceful, unaffected, and un-
assuming. While he was remarkably gen.
tie and modest, no man could bc tirmcr in
adhcring to his convictions and purposes
when deliberately " settled. He had popu-
larity without seeking it, and possessed it
without vanity. His life is Il striking in
stance of the influence that may be eXcrted
by good sense and good Judgment, devoid
bility Of conduct.
In his private and personal relations
Colonel Rutherford maintained u charac-
ter admirable for its virtue and purity, its
integrity and honor, and for that gentle
ness, serenity, and affection which ran like
a golden thread through the web of his life.
Colonel Rutherioords death was sudden,
and was probably fastened, We regret 10
learn, by news OF the critical condition of
his only son, Mr.. John c. Rutherford, Of
Goochland, who lies dangerously i'll al this
time.
AND YET ANOTHER Old CITIZEN GONE !,
Died, on Saturday night, Mr.. Richard
Whitfield, making the sixth Of our old citl-
zcns who have died the past week. Mr..
Whitfield was 4 native of England, and was
more than eighty years of age. lie had
been merchant in this city for some fifty
or sixty years. He was one Of the mos,
worthy men in the community, and was
remarkable for his systematic and unob-
trusivc habits. For ten years he was an
alderman of the city. He maintained very
fine health and vigor for 4 man nj his time
of life until the surrender and burning of
Richmond at the close Of the war. His
dwelling was burned i'll that calamity; and
that, together with the scenes of the day,
greatly affected his spirits and his physical
strength. He has been gradually failing
since, and finally concludes his long life,
and rests from the troubles OF its last sad
days. lie was very good man. None
could rise in this community and utter
word of reproach against him from the day
ne entered Richmond to that on which MS
BODY il taken TO tine grave.