Person Page - 1546

Predeceased: Percival Lowe, Gwendolyn Lowe, Derwin Reginald Haight, Gary Haight, Debbie Haight, Delmer Haight and Elaine Haight.¹

DEAN RUTHERFORD, NOTED AGRICULTURIST, TAKEN BY DEATH SUNDAY NIGHT
     Many Pay Tribute as Valued and Respected Resident Passes; Was Expert Authority on Wheat, Horses
     Death last night removed one of the outstanding figures in agriculture in western Canada, when Dean W. J. Rutherford passed away suddenly. For several months Dean Rutherford, head of the College of Agriculture at the University of Saskatchewan since its inception, had been ill but be apparently was on the road to recovery. Suffering a relapse on Saturday, he died shortly after 8 o'clock last night.
     News of his death caused consternation in the city. Those close in touch with him believed he was making a recovery from his illness, which his service on the Royal Saskatchewan Commission to enquire into methods of handling grain had aggravated. That agriculture had Buffered an irreparable loss was the unanimous verdict of Saskatoon's leading citizens, all commenting on the wonderful qualities which colored Dean Rutherford's life.
     OUT ON WEDNESDAY
     On Wednesday afternoon the dean was able to be out in a chair on the lawn in front of his house as the university groom brought out Jessica, the famous mother of Clydesdale champions, with her own promising foal and the orphan foal which she has also suckled. Bonny Betty and her foal were also seen and admired. The building up of the Clydesdale stable at the University of Saskatchewan, undoubtedly the finest group of the breed in North America, has been the dean's greatest interest for many years. His efforts have resulted in the winning of many international championships for Saskatchewan.
     GREAT BOWLER
     Lawn bowling was a great interest of Dean Rutherford. Three years ago he won the "singles championship of the Saskatoon club. He was president of the Saskatchewan Lawn Bowling Association and a life member of the Manitoba association.
     In the local club he had been for many years chief greens" executive, and had made a special study of the grasses most suitable for the purpose. It is due to his efforts that the new green north of Twenty-fifth Street bridge is undoubtedly the best between Winnipeg and the Pacific coast.
     The energy he has put into the work of the club is largely responsible for the establishment of the new green and the club house in course of erection. Curling was another game in which Dean Rutherford was interested, but his work has interfered with much active part in the game duping the past two years. He played on the rink at the university.
     Dean Rutherford had been in the City Hospital from last October until two weeks ago when he was showing some improvement and returned to his home on the university campus The Clydesdales at the university, the deans particular hobby, have this spring produced some fine foals, possible future champions, and some of them were taken round to the lawn in front of the dean's house that he might look them over.
     BORN IN 1871
     William John Rutherford, son of John Rutherford, was born at Potsdam, New York, in 1871. He was educated in Ontario, and was graduated from Guelph Agricultural College, receiving his B.S.A. in 1903. He took post-graduate work at Ames, Iowa, and became Associate Professor of Animal Husbandry at that college. From 1906 to 1908 he occupied a similar position in Manitoba Agricultural College, and then in 1909, when the University of Saskatchewan saw birth, he accepted an invitation to coma here. He filled ' the chair of Dean of Agriculture from that time.
     Dean Rutherford was an acknowledged authority on all matters pertaining to wheat. He knew the wheat growing business from the time the grain was sown until it reached the consumer as bread. He served on two grain commissions, during the course of which he travelled from coast to coast in Canada, hearing farmer and technical evidence. He also served on federal commissions during the war.
     The Manitoba Free Press once stated that Dean Rutherford had no superior as a teacher of agricultural science.
     JUDGMENT RESPECTED
     Dean Rutherford's judgment on all questions of agriculture was sought and valued by leaders of public life, both from transportation companies and financial institutions.
     There was, however, an intensely practical side to his nature and he was recognized in Scotland as a leading authority on Clydesdale horses. The success of the local university in the Clydesdale world of America was largely due to Dean Rutherford's uncanny insight. Horse-breeders esteemed his opinion, while all livestock officials had confidence in his Judgment.
     Among his friends he numbered Lord Shaughnessy, former president of the C.P.R., while Grant Hall, vice-president of the C.P.R., was a personal friend. Sir Joseph W. Flavelle and Hon. N. W. Rowell both appreciated Dean Rutherford's abilities and he was on the board of directors of the Toronto General Trusts.
     LEAVES FAMILY
     Dean Rutherford is survived by his wife, two daughters and one son, John. Dorothy, who with her brother and sister have been especially prominent in the athletic circles at the University, has gained an enviable reputation os one of the leading athletes Saskatchewan has produced.
     Funeral arrangements had not been completed today. Due to the prominence of Dean Rutherford, it is anticipated that hundreds will wish to attend the funeral services, which will probably be delayed in order to give all those who wish to attend an opportunity to do so.
     The following tributes to the ability and value of Dean Rutherford were obtained last night;
     DR. W. C. MURRAY
     Dr. W. C. Murray, president of the Saskatchewan University, stated:
     "Dean Rutherford- had made great reputation as a teacher in Iowa and Manitoba before he was invited by the Hon. Mr. Motherwell to come to Saskatchewan to assist in the founding of a college of agriculture, In Saskatchewan he made an equally great reputation as a wise and far-seeing adviser In all matters agricultural. He served on a large number of commissions appointed by the federal and provincial governments. He had the vision of a statesman. He was recognized as a great authority on wheat and his Judgment was largely responsible for the recommendations embodied in the recent legislation at Ottawa. Throughout Canada, in the United States and in Scotland he was regarded as an authority on Clydesdales. He was responsible for the plans of the agricultural college and its excellent reputation was due to his foresight and selection of staff.
     "His interest in his students, particularly the young boys in the associate course, was great. No one took more delight in their sports, their successes and their joys than he. For years he has advocated wore graduate work and to him was due the marvellous showing of tile B.S.A. graduates, one-third of whom have gone to graduate schools, many winning the coveted Ph.D , His integrity, his loyalty and his unselfish devotion to public service are beyond praise."
     ROY BOWMAN
     Roy Bowman, president of the Board of Trade: "Dean Rutherford had performed invaluable work in his official capacity and his efforts are reflected generally in the progress of agriculture. In no less measure were his efforts appreciated by the Board of Trade and his passing will be reflected in agriculture in western Canada."
     J. M. McKAY
     J. M. McKay, agricultural representative of the C.P.R. in the west, and a personal friend of Dean Rutherford, paid the following tribute to his friend: "I am deeply shocked to learn of the death of Dean Rutherford. My present visit to Saskatoon was largely inspired to see him as I understood he was on the road to recovery. Many times since I have been connected with the Saskatoon division of the C.P.R. I have had the honor of having him as my guest and I am sure no more sincere friend of agriculture lived in Canada. His studies of western Canadian problems were undertaken with an ability which few of us possess and I know of no man in western Canada, nor the world, who knew more of our problems than did Dean Rutherford
     "Graduating at Guelph and serving at Iowa University he was well qualified to handle the many problems which confronted him here and he had possession of facts such as few had in their control.
     "His interest in agricultural and livestock problems was international in character while I feel confident few men in the world had better knowledge of grain growing, from the time grain was grown until it was developed into the loaf. Few men had such general knowledge as my dear old friend.
     "I feel sure that the C P.R.. from the highest officer to the lowest, will miss Dean Rutherford who always was willing to entertain Canadian and international visitors. His death not only creates a provincial loss but an international loss.
     R. HARVEY
     R. Harvey, manager of the Hudson's Bay Company, who was a close friend of the Dean, was stunned at the news. He said he had been visiting Dean Rutherford on Friday when it appeared to him his friend was quite well and even talked to him of walking again in the near future.
     Mr. Harvey said: "While I am a comparatively recent resident of Saskatoon, I would like to say that since coming here I have known Dean Rutherford intimately. He assisted me in many ways in arriving at an understanding of conditions in this part of western Canada. I am going to miss him in dally life in the future and feel that his death is a blow to Canadian agriculture and to this city in particular."
     MAYOR HAIR
     Mayor Hair said: "Dean Rutherford's death is a great blow to me, and to the province, because he was a man who put his whole heart into any work he undertook. My personal friendship with him revealed many fine qualities hidden under an unassuming manner. Western Canada is the poorer for his death."
     S. W. JOHNS
     S. W. Johns on behalf of the Exhibition Board expressed his regrets. He felt agriculture had sustained a big loss and he praised the many-sided efforts of Dean Rutherford.
     ROD V. REAL
     Dean Rutherford was a member of our advisory board here of the Toronto General Trusts Corporation. Rod V. Real, local manager of the corporation, commenting on the sudden passing of Dean Rutherford, said, "His passing came as a great shock to me personally and his death is also a distinct loss to our corporation. He was a member of the advisory board since its inception. His- wide knowledge as an agricultural authority proved of great value to us, while his kindly and sympathetic attitude made his acquaintanceship and friendship a pleasure to all with whom he came into contact. His passing will be keenly felt by his associates on the board. The board, the officers and staff of this company wish to express their sincere sympathy to the bereaved family."
     HON. W. R. MOTHERWELL
     OTTAWA, June 2--Hon. W. R. Motherwell, minister of agriculture, paid the following tribute to the late Dean Rutherford today:
     "I first became acquainted with the late Dean Rutherford aa a member of the faculty of agriculture in Manitoba and was greatly privileged to secure his services as Saskatchewan's deputy minister of agriculture in the early days of her provincial life (1908), when agriculture was in the formative period and strong foundations were to be laid. Not alone in this official capacity did I favorably become familiar with the late deans many sterling qualities, but as a personal friend and safe adviser he was one upon whom I could always rely.
     "His love for and interest in agriculture were well and widely known, while his advocacy of and even affection for livestock was one of his many strong, outstanding characteristics.
     STEADFAST VIEWS
     "Holding advanced, steadfast views on what he considered to be in the interest and well being of his life-work agriculture still he was al ways tolerant of the views of others and, because of that, won the confidence, respect and affection of the farmers of Saskatchewan to an exceptional degree.
     "His work looking to the upbuilding of the livestock industry in Saskatchewan has been wonderfully fruitful not only through actual propaganda work and breeding activities in connection with the Saskatchewan university farm but through ,the inspiring character of his contact and his enthusiasm for livestock among the students of the university, the stockmen throughout Canada and the business men of Saskatoon and other centres in the province.
     FOREMOST AUTHORITY
     "In all livestock matters he has for years been regarded as one of the very foremost authorities in the Empire and in the United States, more particularly, of course, in connection with horses. He has, there is no doubt, made a very decided impression on the character of the horse being bred in Saskatchewan today. His ideals as to quality are well known and have had a great influence on the horse industry in Canada.
     "As a natural consequence of being held in such high regard and confidence by his immediate fellow workers and acquaintances, the late Dean Rutherford rapidly became known both near and far as a competent and reliable stock judge, while his many important service contributions on various agricultural commissions and boards will live long years after him.
     "As a broadminded Christian citizen, he was tolerant toward all men, while as a husband and father he was devotion itself. Without the loving dean the Saskatchewan university will not mean the same, for many a day and many a boy, but we will all be partially solaced by the thought that in Saskatchewan's agriculture and university on all sides and in ail places we will continue to see and hear the departed dean yet speaking."
     CHIEF JUSTICE BROWN
     Chief Justice J. T. Brown: "No words of mine can adequately express my feelings of high regard for the late Dean Rutherford, or my sense of personal loss in his passing. It was my great privilege to be closely associated with him for nearly a year in the work of the Saskatchewan Grain Commission and no man could have wished for a more, able, devoted or loyal colleague, fear that his untiring and self-sacrificing labors in connection with that work definitely undermined his health, as he has not been well since that work was concluded Dean Rutherford gave his life unreservedly to his University and to his province and the beneficial results of his work- have touched almost every avenue of agricultural enterprise. In (Photo insert and caption) DEAN W. J. RUTHERFORD whose death Sunday night from a lingering illness came as a shock to his family and many friends In the city and elsewhere. Mrs. Rutherford and three children survive. his death the University has lost an able dean; the agricultural interests of the province have lost a devoted friend. There has gone from our midst a Christian gentleman."
     MAYOR McARA, REGINA
     It is with a sense of deep regret that I have learned of the death of Dean Rutherford. His work in connection with agriculture in Saskatchewan will remain aa a monument in Western Canada forever. He has left his mark on the agricultural development of Saskatchewan and our farmers have lost a true friend, one who always had their interests sincerely at heart.
     MANITOBA FREE PRESS
     Manitoba Free Press will say editorially Tuesday morning.
     "Dean Rutherford passes.
     In the passing of William John Rutherford, dean of agriculture in the University of Saskatchewan, Canada has lost one of her big men In agriculture. He was an ardent and successful teacher of agriculture and during the two years in, which he was a professor of animal husbandry at the Manitoba Agricultural College he stimulated the students under him to their last endeavor and today many of them are occupying important places In the educational Spheres of agriculture.
     "To his work at the University of Saskatchewan he carried the same enthusiasm and inspired those to whom he lectured with much of his own views on the importance to the general welfare of Canada of sound agricultural practices.
     "In later years his very great concern was with the reputation of Canadian wheat and his assistance and advice was sought for on two very Important commissions and he did very much to awaken general interest In the ned of maintaining the character and reputation of Canadian western wheat. Having studied the subject from production on the farms through every phase of its passing to the ultimate consumer abroad, he spoke with an authority that carried great weight and many of the improvements in the grain act are tho result of his wise counsels, while scores of his students are carrying the gospel of good pure seed on well cultivated land back to the farms of the west.
     "He was a great authority on livestock and a keen lover of horses The late Alex Galbraith, dean of horse judging on the American continent said of Dean Rutherford, I would rather take Rutherford's judgment on my horses than that of any man I have ever known.
     "Dean Rutherford has passed at an early age but his work remains to the lasting benefit of Canada.
     E. Cora Hind, agricultural editor of the Manitoba Free Press said: "I have known Dean Rutherford since the first week he came to the Canadian west.
     "I have listened to his lectures to students, to his talks and advice at agricultural and breed meetings, have watched his judging of horses in all the big rings of the west and at the International at Chicago, always with deep admiration and respect for the soundness of his statements and the impartiality of his judgments. Canadian agriculture has lost one of its big men."⁵

Survivor(s): Audrey Sargent.¹

Look up 1940 & 1950 census for Harry Sykes & Tycie Sykes.

Mrs. Rachel Miller and Mrs. J. C. McKim attended the funeral of Mrs. Mary Ann Sykes at Harrison Wednesday of last week.²