Rutherford's wife, why the info blackout?

by VM44 64 Replies latest jw friends

• 

  VM44

  Rutherford ruled the Watchtower organization from 1916 to 1942, traveled extensively, had several residences, most notably, Beth Sarim. But absent always was his wife, Mary, not to mention his son, Malcolm as well.

  OK, Rutherford was so well known, why did no one inquire about his son and wife?

  When Rutherford resided at Beth Sarim in San Diego, why was his wife not there with him? (She lived in California)

  Did his wife or son ever communicate with Rutherford? Did Rutherford ever communicate with his wife or son?

  There is no indication that Rutherford even visited, or was visited, by either his wife or son.
  When he died, neither attended his funeral (as far as I know)

  Mary and Malcolm never said anything about Rutherford, strange considering the influence "The Judge" had over so many people over so many years.

  Was their silence bought? perhaps with money?

  So what is the deal? There is something important here about Rutherford that is still an uncovered secret after all these years.

  Is there anyone left alive who would know?

  There must be someone here who would know where the answer could be obtained.

  The answer must be found!

  --VM44
• 

  RR

  I know ... but you'll have to wait for the book.
• 

  VM44

  Hi RR,

  What book?

  When will it be published?

  How about just a little info?

  --VM44
• 

  Leolaia

  I have a full subscription to ancestry.com, so I thought I'd try to find some more information. Now according to this article (http://www. geocities.com/paulblizard/myears.html), Mary Rutherford died "on or about December 17, 1962 in California". So the first logical thing to do was to check the California Death Index. There I found the following listed:

  RUTHERFORD, MARY M 17 Dec 1962 LOS ANGELES FEMALE 17 Aug 1869 MISSOURI

  So we now know a few new things we didn't know before. One is that Rutherford's wife was born on 17 August 1869 in Missouri. The other thing is that she resided specifically in Los Angeles, not San Diego (where Beth Sarim was located). Missouri is the same state that "Judge" Rutherford hailed from, and interestingly his birthdate was 8 November 1869 (according to the article cited above), which made Mary a few months older than him, but basically they were the same age.

  With the new information, I was able to refine my search to find more accurate information on Mary Rutherford. Next I was able to check the 1930 census where I found her listing in the ennumeration list:

  Name: Mary M Rutherford
  Age: 61
  Estimated birth year: 1868-1869
  Birthplace: Missouri
  Relation to Head-of-house: Head
  Race: White
  Home in 1930: Monrovia, Los Angeles, California

  Now we know specifically that she lived in Monrovia, Los Angeles, (at least in 1930) and that she was the head of her own household. That fits with the fact that she was separated from "Judge" Rutherford.

  The census next gives information on her home status. It says that she owned her own house, her house was valued at $5000, and her house included a radio set. Next, her marital condition was listed as "Married". Then it says that her age when she was first married was 21. This means that she married Rutherford in 1890. By extension, we now know that J. F. Rutherford likewise married when he was the same age. Next the census listed her father as having been born in Germany and her mother as having been born in France. Next, when asked if she had an occupation, Mary replied, "None". That is interesting. What was the source of her income?

  Finally, the census gave her address. She lived at 160 N. Primrose Avenue, Monrovia, Los Angeles, CA.

  I downloaded a copy of the census page, if anyone wants it.

  I could check more on her later, but that's what I have now. The best thing, I think, is to find an obituary from 1962 that might give more details about her life.
• 

  Farkel

  : Did his wife or son ever communicate with Rutherford? Did Rutherford ever communicate with his wife or son?
  
  The society has tried to whitewash that relationship by saying that Mary was very ill. We know that Malcolm was not a dub and that he even spent time in the military. I've read that Mary was very bitter towards her husband, and Malcolm had nothing to do with him.
  
  There is some evidence that Rutherford was a philanderer. AlanF posted evidence about that.
  
  It is also true that neither Mary nor Malcolm attended old Joe's funeral. In fact only FOUR people attended the funeral of this so-called "world Bible expert." Knorr and Franz did not even bother to attend his funeral.
  
  Farkel
• 

  Balsam

  I have varing stories about her and Rutherford's son. I heard that she didn't live with him after he became president of the WTB&TS perhaps sooner. Heard she died a faithful JW. Don't know the son's name but he wanted nothing to do with the WTS or his Father from something I read or was told. That he became a homeless person riding the train rails I think. How much of this is true. It was throught that Rutherford never spoke of his wife or saw her. Why I don't know. I bet the WTS supported her till her death though. But this is all speculation based on what I have heard or read.

  Wouldn't it be great if someone could give us the scoop on all of them.

  Ruth
• 

  Lady Lee

  In fact only FOUR people attended the funeral of this so-called "world Bible expert." Knorr and Franz did not even bother to attend his funeral.

  For someone who was so "important" or thought he was so important they sure didn't take long to forget him
• 

  ohiocowboy

  Malcolm C. Rutherford was born on Nov. 10, 1892, and died on June 22, 1989, and lived in Arcadia, California-(Los Angelos).

  That is allI have been able to dig up on him. Would love to find out more info.
• 

  run dont walk

  there is very little info, mostly hearsay

  I too had heard that his son wanted nothing to do with the jw crap, and lived with his mom for a while,

  I have also heard that they (the Watchtower), don't even know where Rutherford is buried, I have heard somewhere in New York State, I have heard at Beth Sarim, and i also heard he was cremated and ashes dumped on Beth Sarim, ANYONE KNOW FOR SURE ????
• 

  VM44

  In fact only FOUR people attended the funeral of this so-called "world Bible expert." Knorr and Franz did not even bother to attend his funeral.

  All indications are that nobody could stand being around Rutherford!

  There was talk even of some congregations (companies then) signing a "loyalty" oath to Brother Rutherford. This was during the time of the Moyle trial.

  In 1929, 13 years into his reign, Beth Sarim was built, to get Rutherford away from Brooklyn, he was interferring too much in the operations!

  What was it about him that he could have a following of a large number of witnesses, but those who worked with him and knew him wanted him to go away?

  But still, no one would speak out or say anything against him, either then, or now.

  Leolaia, that is some great research you did. I would like a copy of that census page.

  --VM44