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.