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Born in Richmond, Virginia JOHN RUTHERFOORD was educated at Princeton and studied law. After performing military service, he became President of the Mutual Assurance Society, the first insurance company in Virginia. He was elected to the Virginia House of Delegates, serving from December, 1826 until March, 1834. He was also a member of the Virginia Council of State from 1839 to 1841. As senior member of the Council, he took over the governorship from John M. Patton, who had served as governor for just twelve days following the resignation of Thomas W. Gilmer. Rutherfoord resigned the governorship himself after one year, retiring to private life.

Sources:

Duke University Libraries.  Rutherfoord, John – Papers, 1754-1866. Accession OCLC: 20159065. Rare Book, Manuscript, and Apecial Collections Library, 103 Perkins Library, Duke University. Durham, NC 27708-0185. special-collections@duke.edu

The National Cyclopaedia of American Biography, Vol. 5. New York: James T. White & Company.

Tyler, Lyon Gardiner. Encyclopedia of Virginia Biography, Vol. II. Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing Co., Inc., 1998.

Sobel, Robert, and John Raimo, eds. Biographical Directory of the Governors of the United States, 1789-1978, Vol. 4. Westport, CT: Meckler Books, 1978. 4 vols