James Rutherford (Arkansas politician)

James Rutherford
Member of the Arkansas Senate from the 6th district
In office January 13, 1879 – January 8, 1883
Preceded by	L. H. Sims
Succeeded by	B. F. Williamson
Constituency	Independence and Stone counties
Delegate to 1874 Arkansas Constitutional Convention
In office July 14, 1874 – September 7, 1874 Serving with James W. Butler
Constituency	Independence County
Personal details
Born	(1825-07-07)July 7, 1825 Rutherfordton, North Carolina
Died	February 6, 1914(1914-02-06) (aged 88) Batesville, Arkansas
Political party	Whig Democratic
Spouse	Mariah Louisa Hynson (m. 1862)
Children	6
Relatives	Skip Rutherford (great- great- grandson)
Occupation	Farmer
Military service
Allegiance	Confederate States
Service	Confederate States Army
Years of service	1862–1865
Rank	Lieutenant Colonel
Unit	7th Arkansas Infantry 46th Arkansas Infantry (Mounted)
Wars	American Civil War

James Rutherford (July 7, 1825 – February 6, 1914) was a prominent settler of Independence County, Arkansas. Rutherford served in the Confederate States Army during the American Civil War. During the Reconstruction era, Rutherford served in the Arkansas Senate and at the 1874 Arkansas Constitutional Convention.

Early life

James Rutherford was born on July 7, 1825 to Walter Blythe Rutherford Sr. and Sarah McTyre Rutherford in Rutherfordton, North Carolina. The family had lived in the area since before the American Revolution. He relocated to Independence County, Arkansas on property claimed from an uncle's debtor in 1849. His parents followed the next year and his father became a pastor in the Presbyterian church at Batesville, Arkansas. Rutherford was elected Independence County justice of the peace at age 25.

Civil War

Rutherford initially opposed Arkansas secession from the United States. But following entry to the Confederate States of America, Rutherford enlisted in the Confederate States Army. He began as first lieutenant in the 7th Arkansas Infantry within Company E, the "Pike Guards", of Independence County, commanded by Captain John H. Dye. He succeeded Dye in command at Bowling Green, Kentucky, in 1862, and received a battlefield promotion to lieutenant colonel during the Battle of Shiloh.

Rutherford resigned from the 7th on July 1, 1862, and returned to Arkansas, where he became captain and quartermaster in the 46th Arkansas Infantry (Mounted). He was captured in Jackson County, Arkansas on January 27, 1864, and imprisoned in Little Rock until Major General Frederick Steele ordered his release on July 14, 1864. Rutherford surrendered with General M. Jeff Thompson on May 11, 1865, and was paroled at Jacksonport, Arkansas on June 5, 1865.

Reconstruction era

Rutherford returned to his farm and became one of the largest landowners in the area, owning three farms operated by sharecroppers and a livestock operation. He was elected as a delegate to the 1874 Arkansas Constitutional Convention, which re-wrote the Constitution of Arkansas. He contributed to the creation of the Sulphur Rock School District.

Rutherford was elected to a four-year term in the Arkansas Senate representing the 6th district (Independence and Stone counties) in the 22nd and 23rd Arkansas General Assembly.