Daily Freeman Journal, Webster City, Iowa, 18 May 1920:

G. T. RUTLEDGE IS CALLED

Passed Away at Family on Division Street.--Near 86 Years of Age.

ILL SINCE FEBRUARY

Death Caused by Paralysis.-Funeral at Methodist Church.

G. T. Rutledge, a well known resident of this city, passed away at the family home on Division street yesterday afternoon at 4 o'clock. Mr. Rutledge was stricken with paralysis during February and had been confined to his bed since that time. The deceased was nearly 86 years of age and had resided in this city for about twenty-five years.

The funeral will be held tomorrow afternoon at the Methodist church at 2:30 o'clock, conducted by Dr. R. T. Chipperfield.

George Thomas Rutledge was a native of Randolph township, McClain [sic] county, Ill., and was born on the old homestead of his father, August 26, 1834, being the eldest son and the third child of a family of twelve, consisting of six sons and six daughters, ten of whom are now deceased.

Mr. Rutledge was reared to farming pursuits, pursuing his primary studies in the common schools, after which he entered Wesleyan University at Bloomington, Ill., where he took a thorough course of study and from which he became fully equipped for the duties of life.

Mr. Rutledge was married in St. Louis, Mo., July 10, 1860 to Miss Ann M. Wagner, the daughter of Henry and Elizabeth Wagner. To this union were born ten children, five boys and five girls, one boy dying in infancy.

Seven children living in this vicinity were at the bedside of their father at the time of his passing. The surviving children are Mrs. D. H. Morgan, Mrs. S. A. Christenson, Mrs. N. F. Christenson, Mrs. R. P. Smoek, Frank M. Rutledge, Herman H. Rutledge, all of this city, J. C. Rutledge of Fort Dodge, Mrs. Joseph Wille of Williams, and R. M. Rutledge of Brule, Wis.

Mr. Rutledge became a member of the Methodist church in early manhood and in his early life was an active member. He also was a member of the Odd Fellows lodge for forty-eight years.