Rufus Alexander Doughton was born in Alleghany County, North Carolina, on January 10, 1857. Doughton was a lawyer and politician who served as a longtime member of the legislature (first elected in 1887), as lieutenant governor (1893-1897), and member of the State Highway Commission (1921-1931), among other positions. He died in Sparta (Alleghany County) on August 17, 1945.