Known by his friends as "Uncle Rufus" he was a financier and promoter. He married (1) Charlotte Blakesly Hatch 22 Dec 1853 in Rockford, Winnebago, IL;(2) Mary Harris Gray, 8 Oct 1876 in New York, Manhattan, NY At age 12 he worked for Isaac Furbish at his general store in Kennebunkport, ME. He moved to Rockford, IL at age 19 where he engaged in the buying and selling of produce. In 1854 he was a grain trader with Armstrong & Co. of Chicaco. He became a member of the Gold Board and one of the founders of the Chicago Board of Trade. His first serious financial investment came in 1862 when he invested $2,000 in Chicago and Northwestern stock. He later became a director in this company. In 1871 Rufus assumed the position of managing director of the Pacific Mail Steamship Co. and had two vessels built, the City of Pekin and the City of Tokio. He was ruined financially when his investment in the Northern Pacific Railroad plummeted in 1883. He refused to claim bankruptcy and eventually managed to repay his debts. One of his other achievements was the building of a tourist hotel at Mammoth Hot Springs in Yellowstone National Park. He had a home located at Park Avenue and 36th Street in New York City.
Known by his friends as "Uncle Rufus" he was a financier and promoter. He married (1) Charlotte Blakesly Hatch 22 Dec 1853 in Rockford, Winnebago, IL;(2) Mary Harris Gray, 8 Oct 1876 in New York, Manhattan, NY At age 12 he worked for Isaac Furbish at his general store in Kennebunkport, ME. He moved to Rockford, IL at age 19 where he engaged in the buying and selling of produce. In 1854 he was a grain trader with Armstrong & Co. of Chicaco. He became a member of the Gold Board and one of the founders of the Chicago Board of Trade. His first serious financial investment came in 1862 when he invested $2,000 in Chicago and Northwestern stock. He later became a director in this company. In 1871 Rufus assumed the position of managing director of the Pacific Mail Steamship Co. and had two vessels built, the City of Pekin and the City of Tokio. He was ruined financially when his investment in the Northern Pacific Railroad plummeted in 1883. He refused to claim bankruptcy and eventually managed to repay his debts. One of his other achievements was the building of a tourist hotel at Mammoth Hot Springs in Yellowstone National Park. He had a home located at Park Avenue and 36th Street in New York City.
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