My Genealogy Hound

O. C. RUTLEDGE, of the firm of I. Vanordstrand & Co., grain, lumber, etc., Heyworth; was born in McLean Co., Ill., on his father’s farm, located in the present township of Randolph, Oct. 19, 1831, where he lived until the age of 27; in the summer of 1855, he bought grain in Heyworth for Mr. E. Birney, of Le Roy, this county, and thus did the first business transacted at Heyworth; at first the business was very small—all the grain was handled by hand, and weighed on small platform scales. In the fall a small warehouse was built, in which to handle and store the grain. In the spring of 1856, Mr. Birney quit the business at this point, and the firm of Elder & Rutledge was formed, doing business until April 1, 1858, when they consolidated with Mr. I. Vanordstrand, and did business as I. Vanordstrand & Co.; during the following summer, Mr. Rutledge withdrew from the firm; and on being married, he moved to Downs Township, engaging in farming; he remained there two years, when he returned to Heyworth and engaged in the general merchandise business with Mr. J. C. McFarland—the firm being McFarland & Rutledge; they continued in the business until 1865; during three years of this time Mr. McFarland was in the army, and Mr. Rutledge had the entire management; he then sold out his interest, and bought an interest in the business of I. Vanordstrand & Co., and has continued a member of that firm since; in 1872, Mr. Elder withdrew from the firm. Mr. Rutledge is the oldest living native resident of this township. In 1862 he was Assessor, and received the appointment of Township Treasurer the same year; he has also held the offices of Township Clerk, Village Trustee, Corporation and School Treasurer. He married Miss Sarah A. Elder June 8, 1858, who died in 1865; they had one child — Mary F. He married Miss Letitia A. Battershell, Dec. 24, 1866; they have two children living, viz., Lettie and Lyndon.