Shaver, F. A., Arthur P. Rose, R. F. Steele, and A. E. Adams, compilers.  "An
Illustrated History of Central Oregon." ("Embracing Wasco, Sherman, Gilliam,
Wheeler, Crook, Lake, & Klamath Counties")  Spokane, WA: Western Historical
Publishing Co., 1905.  p. 520.
 
WALTER C. RUTLEDGE

     proprietor of the Moro House, one of the best hotels west of Pendleton and
east of Portland, and one of the progressive business men of Sherman county, was
born in Audrain county, Missouri, June 3, 1859.  He is the son of Joseph H. and
Margaret (Brown) Rutledge, the former a native of Virginia; the latter of
Kentucky. His parents were natives of the same state, and among his ancestors
were pioneers of the Jamestown settlement, and the family was represented with
distinction by several members in the Revolution, the War of 1812 and the Civil
war. Edward Rutledge, born at Charleston, South Carolina, was one of the signers
of the Declaration of Independence; was member of congress and governor of South
Carolina from 1798 until 1900. His brother, John, was a member of the Stamp Act
Congress of 1765, and was, also, governor of that state. He was, from 1789 to
1791 associate justice of the United States Supreme Court. Joseph H. Rutledge,
the father of our subject, died in Sherman county. The mother is a descendant of
an old and prominent southern family, and at present lives in Ellensburg,
Washington.
     Until he was three years old our subject was reared in Missouri, crossing
the plains with his parents, in ox teams, in 1862. They settled in Amador
county, California, where the father was engaged in copper mining near lone.
Here the family remained five years, going thence to Woodbridge, San Joaquin
county, where they remained another five years. Here our subject attended the
public schools and alternately worked with his father on the farm. Subsequently
he was two years with a carpenter in Stockton, California, going thence to Butte
county. Here Joseph H. Rutledge purchased a farm upon which they remained eleven
years, removing thence to Sherman county, Oregon, where more land was secured
fourteen miles south of Moro. Here the father died. The Rutledge and Ruggles
families were the first settlers in that vicinity. Grass Valley, eight miles
distant, at that period consisted of a small store and a hotel. With the
incoming of settlers the need of a postoffice was experienced, and one was
established in Joseph H. Rutledge'shouse, and he was appointed post-master which
office he continued until the time of his death.
     Following the death of his father our subject continued farming on rented
land, but May 1, 1904, he purchased the old Moro Hotel and, making extensive
alterations, adding much new and modern furniture, he has made it one of the
best hostelries in the state, as well as one of the most popular. In the
satisfactory conduct of the hotel Mrs. Rutledge is a most important factor and
contributes her personal attention to the dining room, kitchen and other
details.
     Mr. Rutledge has one sister living, Elizabeth, wife of C. H. Steward,
engaged in the real estate business at Ellensburg, Washington. Mrs. Rutledge has
four brothers and four sisters who receive personal mention elsewhere. She is a
sister of Mrs. Jacob Rinearson, of the Vinton Hotel, Grass Valley, who holds a
teacher's life certificate. Mr. and Mrs. Rutledge have four children, and all
living with their parents ; Joseph V., aged thirteen; W. Clarence, aged eleven;
Jeanette, aged nine; and Francis, seven years old.
     Our subject was married to Maggie V. Vintin, born in Butte county,
California. Politically Mr. Rutledge is a Democrat, and has served several terms
as school director.


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Submitted to the Oregon Bios. Project in October 2010 by Diana Smith.  Submitter
has no additional information about the person(s) or family mentioned above.