My Genealogy Hound

JAMES RUTLEDGE, (deceased) farmer; one of the early pioneers of McLean Co.; born Feb. 22, 1808, He emigrated from Kentucky to Illinois, and located in McLean Co., about the year 1830, where he entered land, upon which he lived until his decease, which occurred Nov. 30, 1863. He was united in marriage with Prudy Vandeventer, in Logan Co., Ill.; she was born in Tenn., March 6, 1816; she came with her parents to Sangamon Co. in 1825; when 10 years of age, she came with John Buckles to this county, and was the first white woman that ever cooked a meal’s victuals at what is now known as Buckles’ Grove, Empire Township. They were the parents of seven children now living Mrs. Rutledge is now 64 years of age, and is now keeping house in Le Roy, and has moved but once during the past forty-seven years. In a brief letter, written by her, to be presented to the meeting of old settlers, she makes mention of her first meal, cooked at Buckles’ Grove, as being the first meal cooked by a white woman at that place, she then being but 10 years of age, and the date being 1826. She also draws a beautiful illustration of the contrast between that date and the present, showing the wonderful changes that have since occurred.