William W. Rutherford

An obituary printed in the December 10, 1919 issue of the Oakdale Leader tells us that William Rutherford was probably the oldest man in Stanislaus County, if not in the San Joaquin Valley; at that time, and one of Oakdale's most highly respected citizens. He was a remarkable man in the district not alone for his ripe old age of ninety-five, but also because of the life he lived. 

Mr. Rutherford was born in Roxburgh, southern Scotland in 1824. When an infant, his grandfather, John Rutherford, and his parents, William and Catherine Rutherford moved to St. Lawrence County, New York with their family of five sons and five daughters. William's ""education chances were limited and he learned mostly from experience. Disliking the drudgery of farm life, he turned to carpentry, but soon gave that up to engage in the cattle business, with which he spent the greater part of his long life. With his cousin, J.F.Rutherford, he went to Illinois and Missouri and assisted him in purchasing stock, with which to stock the ranges of the far west.

Starting overland in April 1854 they took turns in driving the stock on alternate days, arriving in California with their first herd. These they turned loose in Stanislaus County. Thereafter they engaged in raising stock both in Stanislaus and Tuolumne counties. Later Mr. Ruther ford conducted a dairy in the E. Lee and Miss Mina Rutherford, both of Oakdale, William Rutherford was said to be a man of unusual character. He had that sterling trait of honesty and fearlessness for which the Scotch are noted, and he had as well a remarkably even temper.

It is related bought a large herd of cattle that he was a Republican, in the southern part of the when there were but eight in state and drove them north to this county, only to find stock values so depreciated as to lose almost his entire fortune. He was a man not easily discouraged, however, and continued his engagement in the stock business, purchasing catde at the low price of five dollars per head, which formerly had been valued at forty, and waited for the price to rise again. 

Always on the outlook for opportunities, William spent time at Chinese Camp, where in partnership with Robert McHenry of Modesto, he operated a meat market for . some years. He engaged in-raising hogs until 1865 and then moved again to the Oakdale section, settling on land five miles northeast of town which became known as the Stanislaus Dairy Farms Co. ranch. Part of this farm he homesteaded and part he . purchased from others who had patented it. He farmed the property for many years, and its rich land was very productive under his care.

He finally owned 1550 acres east of Rutherford's crossing when he turned the farm over to his stepsons, William and Newt Gray. In 1897 William moved his family to Oakdale, while the boys ran the ranch, and he built himself a nice home but in a short time they moved to Palo Alto to be near another stepson, Thomas Gray, while the latter was being educated to become an attorney. After the latter received his diploma at Stanford, Mr. Rutherford returned to Oakdale to make his home, in 1902. He lived in the R.B. Sydnor house on West F Street. .

William's wife, whom he married in 1876, passed away in 1904. By her former marriage, she had four sons and one daughter, Mrs. Emma Judkins, William R. Gray, Newt B. Gray, Frank Gray and Thomas Gray. William and Melvina had two daughters in their marriage.

On one occasion, A. J. Patterson, known as the founder of Oakdale, became involved in a little argument over the . republicans, Mr. Rutherford mildly dissenting from criticisms of the party. Mr. Patterson became angry and raising his cane knocked Mr. Rutherford's hat to the ground. The latter, far from being incensed, gently turned and said: "Mr. Patterson will you kindly pick up my hat." And he did. His friends say that he never worried and to ' this they attributed his long life. His was a remarkable serenity - he lived a simple life and enjoyed every moment of it He smoked his pipe up to within a day of his death, and his mind was clear to the end.

William Rutherford passed away on Sunday, December 7, 1919 at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Dorsey Lee at the age of ninety-five. His funeral service was held from the Rutherford family residence at 212 West F Street that today is known as the Sydnor-Prowse House and houses the Oakdale Museum