Portraits and Biographical Album of
Woodford Co., IL; Chicago,
Chapman Brothers, 1889, p.570-572.
" Thomas
Sutton, veterinary surgeon and farmer, was reared in the moorlands and hilly districts of the Wolds, in East
Riding,
Yorkshire,
England. He was born June 10, 1815, to John and Susan (
Killam)
Sutton, also natives of
Yorkshire,
England. The father was a farmer of untiring industry, and Thomas early learned to assist him in the work. In the meantime he received such limited education as the school facilities of that time afforded. Mr. John
Sutton was a kind, indulgent father, ever endeavoring to prepare his children for their place in life's battles. He and his wife were prominent people in their native county, and were universally respected by all who knew them. They died where they had for so many years made their home, the father when about sixty-five years of age, while the mother survived him until she was seventy-five years old, when she too passed to rest. In their lifetime they had been consistent members of the Primitive Methodist Church, and were every ready to listen the pleading voices of the wronged and suffering. Thus benevolent and philanthropic, they made their lives sweet by self-devotion and self-restraint.
Thomas
Sutton, our subject, upon arriving at an age to enter the work of his life, became a railroad contractor, which occupied his time for ten years. In this line of work he was very proficient, and considered one of the best men in that respect in all his native county. He married Miss
Harriet Scales, like himself a native of East
Riding,
Yorkshire, and born Feb. 11,1920. Mrs. Sutton was the only daughter in her father's family, and had three brothers, Edward, who lives in Australia; William and George. William was a minister in the Methodist Church for a great many years, and did much good in his chosen work, but has retired from active labor and now resides in Lake Ontario, in Canada. The other brother, George, lived in
England, married there and finally died, leaving a family, most of whom are in this country.
After marriage, Mr. Sutton commenced to work in earnest, and has by severe and protracted efforts accomplished much in the way of becoming financially independent. Becoming discouraged in
England, and hearing of the prosperity of emigrants to the United Stated, he took his family and came to this country. They took passage on the steamer "Sarah
Sands," Dec. 1, 1852. Leaving the famed shores of
Albion for the new country so alluringly described to them, they landed at Portland, Me., after a very pleasant and fair voyage. From Portland they made their way across the border into Canada, and in the
Province of Quebec our subject found work as a railroad construction contractor. This occupied his time for the succeeding two years, when he settled in
Morgan Co., IL. In 1855, he came to this county, locating first near Metamora, the county seat, and there lived three years. He also resided for a time in Olio Township, at Walnut
Grove. But it is his present farm which represents his first purchase of land. It is situated on section 23, in Palestine Township, and includes 160 acres of fine land, all under good cultivation, and having substantial farm buildings, and a comfortable residence. This has been his home since 1864, when he bought it in and uncultivated, unbroken condition.
It has been truly said that, "Into each life some rain must fall, Some days must be dark and dreary."
Mr. Sutton's life has not proven to be an exception to the general rule. The hitherto happy household was plunged into the depths of sorrow by the death of the wife and mother. She passed to rest at her home, Aug 4, 1875, when she was fifty-five years of age. It is a rather striking coincidence in the family history that her death occurred at the same age when her parents also were called to rest. She was a good woman, a kind devoted mother and wife, and highly esteemed by the neighborhood in which she resided.
Mr. and Mrs. Sutton were the parents of nine children, of whom four are deceased; Wlliam, who died in England;
Harriet A., Edward, and George, who died in this country. The latter was married and left six children. The children born to Mr. and Mrs. Sutton who are now living, are as follows: John , who married Mary
Render, and lives in
Kansas Township, this county; Thomas W., who chose his wife Margaret C. Bevis, and is a farmer in Palestine Township; Mary, who was united in marriage with E. Durth, a resident of
Kansas Township, this county; Elizabeth and Samuel, who are at home. Mr. Sutton is a member of the Methodist Church, to the maintenance of which he has contributed liberally of his means, and is always willing to give his time and money to aid any project calculated to benefit the county and the people. He and his sons are strong Democrats, and uniformly vote that ticket, and assist in the election of the nominees of that party. In the leading circles of the county Mr. Sutton and his refined family are ever welcomed as respected citizens and cultured representatives of the worth of the community. He is related to many of the best families in Illinois; some of his relatives settling west of Jacksonville, including the
Richardson and
Killiam families, and others equally influential.
Mrs. Thomas
Sutton, wife of our subject was a daughter of William and Mary (Oldgate)
Scales, who were born in Lincolnshire,
England. After they were married they removed to
Yorkshire, and there Mr. Scales founded a smithy, and worked at his trade until his death. He survived his wife ten years. In religious matters, they were Wesleyan Methodists, and were faithful to the principles expounded by the devout and sainted founder of that sect."