FESTUS P. SUTTON.
Festus P. Sutton is a prominent and well known agriculturist in West Creek township, where he has a nice homestead of one hundred and twenty acres. He is the oldest child of one of the most prominent and worthy families in the western portion of Lake county, a family which has always been recognized for its integrity and the personal excellence of its individual members. The Suttons are of English origin, and those of the name have the advantage of a well knit and wholesome ancestry, with reputation throughout for substantiality and solidity. Mr. Sutton was born in Rush county, Indiana, October 9, 1846. There were eight children in the family, four sons and four daughters, seven of whom are living, and more detailed mention is made of them in the history of Mr. Otto Sutton to be found elsewhere in this volume. The parents were Gabriel F. and Almeda (Hall) Sutton. The father was a man who stood four-square to the world, and is one of the most worthy characters that figure in the history of Lake county. He was an exemplary citizen, and set a good example to his children and family, who in turn have honored him. He began life as a poor man in Rush county of this state, and when he died a few years ago in Lake county he was reckoned as a man of affluence, and left a fine property to his children, besides the rich heritage of his own name. He was a lover of relics and antiquities, and had in his possession many articles and papers connected with the earlier history of the Sutton family. His aged widow is still living a contented and peaceful life on the old homestead not far from her children. Mr. Festus Sutton was reared in his native county of Rush until he was about fifteen or sixteen years old, and since then he has been a resident of Lake county. He had already gained most of his education before coming to Lake county, but also here continued his schooling for a time in the public institutions of learning of the county. Self-application has been the ground for most of his success in life, and in his life work of farming he has made a very creditable success. He has also been engaged for the past thirty years in grain-threshing in northwest Indiana, and is one of the best known men in this part of the state in this line of industry. Mr. Sutton lived at home with his parents until he was over forty years old.
On June 20, 1889, he was united in marriage with Miss Altie L. Cover, and since then they have resided on their pleasant and profitable homestead in West Creek township.
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Mr. Sutton cast his first vote for General Grant, and as far as consistent with his personal activity has never failed to support with enthusiasm the principles of the Grand Old Party. He has been selected as a delegate to the district and county conventions at various times. Fraternally he is a member of the Knights of Pythias, Lodge No. 300, at Lowell, and Mrs. Sutton is a charter member of the Rathbone Sisters at the same place. Mr. and Mrs. Sutton are both adherents of the Christian church, and contribute according to their means to the benevolences.
