My Genealogy Hound

Prof. H. M. Sutton, principal of the Miller County Institute, is a native of Logan County, Ohio, born in 1845, being the eldest in a family of eight children who were born to the marriage of George Reed Sutton and Elizabeth Neiberger, who were born in Kentucky and Pennsylvania, respectively. They were married in Ohio, and soon after settled in Logan County on a farm, where he was also engaged in ministerial labor, being an expounder of the Christian doctrine. He and wife are still living in Hardin County, Ohio. Prof. H. M. Sutton was reared on a farm in his younger days, and received his education at Ada, in Hardin County, at the Ohio Northwestern State Normal. After completing a course in college he engaged in teaching school, being principal of different schools for a number of years, and in 1874 he turned his face westward, and located at California, Moniteau County, where he was engaged in pedagoging for about four years. After being connected with the Cooper County Institute for one year (1879) he organized the Miller County Institute at Spring Garden, and has been the means of bringing the school up to its present admirable standard. When it first came under his management it consisted of a school building in a wheat-field, but since that time there has grown around it a thriving village, and the school campus contains nearly six acres, ornamented by shade trees set out by Prof. Button, or under his directions. About $400 has been spent in adding improvements to the building, and there is now plenty of room for the accommodation of students from abroad. While a resident of Ohio he was married, in 1867, to Hattie Roberts, a native of Logan County, and a daughter of Jesse and Charlotte (Rudacill) Roberts, who were Virginians, and moved to Ohio at an early day. The father died March 24, 1879, but the mother is still living, and resides in Logan County, Ohio. Prof. and Mrs. Sutton are members of the Baptist Church, and are the parents of one child. The Professor belongs to the Independent Order of Good Templars at Spring Garden; and in this connection it is eminently fitting that an outline, at least, of the history of this society be here given. The organization (a local one) was effected June 14, 1886, at Spring Garden, by Jacob Reider, state deputy, and has since been in a prosperous condition. Its prime object is to establish temperance in the county, and to drive from its territory ten or fifteen saloons. As is well known, it is established on the eternal principles of faith, hope and charity. Its first officers were: Prof. Sutton, W. C. T.; Miss Cora Ulmstead, W. V. T.; Rev. E. M. Lumpkin, W. Chap.; E. B. Lumpkin (J. P.), W. Sec.; Miss Lucy J. Hawkins W. A. S.; Prof. Jonathan Roberts, W. F. S.; Mrs. Mollie E. Lumpkin, W. Treas.; P. M. Musick, W. M.; Miss May Belle Sutton, W. D. M.; Miss Rovilla Green, W. I. G.; E. D. Becker, W. O. G.; Mrs. E. B. Lumpkin, W. R. H. S.; Mrs. Henry Ulmstead, W. L. H. S.; E. A. Becker, P. W. C. T. The membership has reached about thirty. The present officers are: J. I. Lumpkin, W. C. T.; Mattie Lumpkin, W. V. T.; Prof. Sutton, Chap.; F. J. Keep, Sec.; Charles Ansley, W. F. S.; Janie Brockman, Treas.; Jonathan Roberts, W. M.; Belle Sutton, Dept. M.; May Mitchell, Sent.; A. L. Morfleet, P. W. C. T.