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Below is a family biography included in The History of Washington County, Arkansas published by Goodspeed Publishing Company in 1889.  These biographies are valuable for genealogy research in discovering missing ancestors or filling in the details of a family tree. Family biographies often include far more information than can be found in a census record or obituary.  Details will vary with each biography but will often include the date and place of birth, parent names including mothers' maiden name, name of wife including maiden name, her parents' names, name of children (including spouses if married), former places of residence, occupation details, military service, church and social organization affiliations, and more.  There are often ancestry details included that cannot be found in any other type of genealogical record.

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Robert A. Rutherford, one of the leading merchants of Washington County, and president of Elkins Mercantile & Mill Company, was born in McMinn County, Tenn., September 17, 1830. The company was organized August 6, 1888, with Henry Stoklenberry as secretary, and J. F. Hood, treasurer. These are roller process mills, with four double sets of rollers, and one set of corn buhrs. The firm carry a stock of goods valued at $4,000, and do a business of $8,000, but expect to do better. Larkins and Frances (Hester) Rutherford, parents of Robert A. Rutherford, were born in South Carolina in 1799 and 1796, respectively. The father died in McMinn County, Tenn., in 1854, and the mother in the same county in 1856. They were married in their native State, and moved to McMinn County a short time before the birth of Robert A. The father was a miller all his life, and in 1836 assisted in gathering up the Cherokee Indians in order to place them in their Territory. Both parents were members of the Missionary Baptist Church, and the father was a Democrat in politics. To their marriage were born nine children, six now living: Sarah, widow of William Harris: J. M., deceased; A. H.; W. P., deceased; C. H., a fruit grower; Robert A.; Elizabeth, deceased; L. B., and Adaline, wife of H. P. Moss. In 1852 Robert A. Rutherford left home and went to Chattanooga, where he worked at the brick mason’s trade. He then returned to McMinn County and began farming, which he continued until he came to Washington County. Ark., in 1857, and here he has remained ever since, engaged in farming and merchandising. Although starting with little or no means, he has been quite successful, and is accounted one of the successful merchants of the county. During the war he served three years in the quartermaster’s department, Federal army, stationed at Raleigh, Mo. After the war he held the office of justice of the peace for seventeen years, and is now notary public. He was postmaster at Hood three years, and through his influence the office was established. On the 3d of May, 1885, he married Miss Lough Miller, who was born in Meigs County, Tenn., July 9, 1836. Both he and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, and of the K. of the H.; he is a Republican in politics, and an excellent citizen.

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This family biography is one of 300 biographies included in The History of Washington County, Arkansas published in 1889.  For the complete description, click here: Washington County, Arkansas History, Genealogy, and Maps

To view additional Washington County, Arkansas family biographies, click here

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