| editor, The Biographical Dictionary of America… (1906)
“ In 1850 John Rutherford founded Rutherford college in Burke county, N.C., and the young Methodist preacher was made its first president. The building used, a log cabin, was built by Abernethy, and was used until the college was chartered and new buildings erected. In forty years he educated 10,000 boys and girls, 2200 of these being given free instruction through his personal liberality. In 1890 the college buildings were burned, the loss being $50,000. ”
