Chippewa Falls in Chippewa County, Wisconsin — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Edward Rutledge Charity

Photographed By Keith L, October 28, 2010

1. Edward Rutledge Charity Marker

Inscription. Click to hear the inscription.

This building was built in 1917 in memory of Edward Rutledge.

Mr. Rutledge was born in northern Ireland on March 6, 1834. As a child he moved with his parents to South Mountain, Ontario, Canada where they farmed. At age 16 Edward and his two brothers, Robert and John, headed for the United States and the Michigan woods to learn the lumberjack trade.

Rutledge came to Wisconsin as a timber cruiser, meaning he went out into the woods and marked the trees to be cut down. He soon became a close personal friend of lumber baron Frederick Weyerhauser and with his investment became a prominent figure in the lumber industry.

Mr. Rutledge used to stay in the woods all winter and in the summertime he would come down to Chippewa Falls and stay at a boarding house run by Hannah Gregg who was a widow with two grown children. At age 40 Edward married Hannah and moved into what is now the Cook-Rutledge Mansion. He later endowed the construction of the Hannah M. Rutledge Home for the Aged in her memory. Hannah died October 1, 1910 and Edward passed away on July 27, 1911.

Being a very charitable person, Mr. Rutledge

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recognized the importance of establishing an organization to help people in need and assist benevolent or charitable organizations. In his will he set aside money to establish this charitable foundation. The Articles of Incorporation were signed December 20, 1911. This foundation has carried on Mr. Rutledge's wishes ever since.

Chippewa County Historical Society
Marker Sign #26

Erected by the Chippewa County Historical Society. (Marker Number 26.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Charity & Public Work • Horticulture & Forestry. A significant historical month for this entry is March 1828.

Location. 44° 56.267′ N, 91° 23.659′ W. Marker is in Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin, in Chippewa County. Marker is at the intersection of North Bridge Street and West Columbia Street, on the right when traveling south on North Bridge Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 404 North Bridge Street, Chippewa Falls WI 54729, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. The Federal Building & Early Mail Service (within shouting distance of this marker); The Norway House & the Birthplace of Alexander Wiley (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); Site of the Hiram S. Allen Home (about 600 feet away); Site of the Mason Shoe Factory

Edward Rutledge Charity and Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Keith L, October 28, 2010

2. Edward Rutledge Charity and Marker

The marker is near the front left corner of the building.

(about 700 feet away); Sokup's Market (approx. 0.2 miles away); First Presbyterian Church (approx. 0.2 miles away); The Marsh Rainbow Arch Bridge (approx. 0.2 miles away); In Memory of All Veterans (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Chippewa Falls.

Also see . . . Lumbermen in Idaho. "Edward Rutledge, a lifelong associate of Frederick Weyerhaeuser in the Middle West, purchased Northern Pacific white pine lands on the Priest River." (Submitted on January 2, 2011.)

Additional keywords. Edward and Hannah M. Rutledge Charities

Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on January 2, 2011, by Keith L of Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin. This page has been viewed 1,437 times since then and 98 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on January 2, 2011, by Keith L of Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin.