Who is Mr. Rutledge from Moccasin Trail and what is their importance?

Mr. Rutledge is a member of the group traveling with Jonnie. He is older than both Jonnie and Tom and has a wife and children. He shows wisdom in his ability to understand people and urges Jonnie be tolerant of Jim. Rutledge is one of the few people to really see how torn Jim is between his loyalties to his white family and the Indians who saved him from death.