76. Herbert E Sutton
from 1860 Indiana Census
Biography from History of Clay Co., Indiana, Vol. II, au: William Travis, publ. 1909
Herbert E. SUTTONAmong the sturdy, energetic and successful agriculturists of
Clay county who are thorough masters of their calling and are
therefore enabled to follow it with profit to themselves and the
general progress of the community is Herbert E. Sutton, of Harrison
township, who is widely and favorably known individually and as presi-
dent of the Clay County Farmers’ Institute. A son of Alonzo Sutton and
descendant of a pioneer family, he was born on the 5th of November,
1870, being a native of Putnam county, Indiana. David Sutton, his
grandfather, came to Indiana from Ohio in 1855, and after residing
for a time in Jackson township, Clay county, purchased a tract of timber
land in Washington township, Putnam county, where he subsequently
improved the homestead on which he lived until his death at the age of
seventy-eight years. His wife, whose maiden name was Elizabeth Price,
survived him until she had reachcd the age of four score years and four.
Alonzo Sutton, the father, was of a family of five children. He was
born in Clermont county, Ohio in 1845, and when ten years old came
with his parents to Indiana, attending the district schools of Washington
township, Putnam county, and assisting his father in the clearing of
the homestead land and the improvement of the farm. When ready to
establish a homestead on an independent basis he purchased land near
the parental homestead in Washington township, a portion of this tract
being cleared and having a log cabin as another feature of its improve-
ments. With the brightening of agricultural prospects and actual
condition as well, be bought adjoining land, including the old home farm,
and is now the owner of a valuable estate of two hundred acres. He has
erected substantial farm buildings, made other improvements and has
all the appointments of a modern farmer and the prosperous urbanite.
The elder Mr. Sutton married Miss Sarah C. Hutcheson, daughter of
Peyton and Keziah (Morelan) Hutcheson, and their six children are
Albert Luther, Herbert E., Clifford P., William H. H., James A. and
Nellie P. Sutton.
Of a studious nature, Herbert E. Sutton was given excellent educa-
tional advantages, attending the public schools, the Central Normal Col-
lege at Danville, and the State Normal School at Terre Haute. At the
age of eighteen be began teaching in the Black Hawk district, Washing-
ton township, after which he taught one term in the primary school at
Manhattan, three terms in Hutton (Vigo county) and eleven terms in
Harrison township—a record of service that speaks for itself of his suc-
cess as an educator. In 1897 be returned to the calling of his forefathers
by renting land in Harrison township and engaging in general agricul-
tural operations. Later be bought a fine tract in the fertile valley of
the Eel river, and since that time has been very extensively employed in
general farming, both as a renter and an owner of land. He gives spe-
cial attention to the raising of grain,