STEPHEN PRESCO SUTTON. - No history of the past and present of Sangamon county would be complete without mention of Stephen Presco Sutton. Only a brief period has passed since his demise and his influence has not ceased to exist as a potent factor among those who knew him. He passed away October 19, 1901, respected by all with whom he had come in contact and he left to his family a handsome competence as the result of his life work and to his city the heritage of an example of duty well performed. He was born July 13, 1855, in the old home place on East Jefferson street. Having pursued his education in the primary and grammar schools here he afterward spent three years as a student in the high school. He then began working with his father, James C. Sutton, with whom he learned the carpenter's trade, following that pursuit for a long period. His efforts were not confined alone to this city for his services were demanded outside of Sangamon county and he executed some very important contracts. He was superintendent of construction on the Natural History hall and Engineering building connected with the State University at Champaign and in this connection he received a letter of recommendation from N. Clifford Ricker, professor of architecture, which reads as follows:

"This is to certify that the bearer, Mr. Sutton, has been employed for more than a year past as superintendent of construction of the new Natural History Building of the University of Illinois, erected under my charge as architect and costing seventy thousand dollars with fixtures. I have had abundant opportunity to become intimately acquainted with him and have invariably found him to be thoroughly honest, reliable and trustworthy in every respect and having an intimate practical knowledge of all kinds of construction as well as in gas, water, waste and heating work. He has always taken greatest pains to obtain good materials and perfect workmanship throughout, although insisting upon an exact performance of contracts. He has been able to secure this from contractors with a minimum difficulty and retaining their respect and good will. He is certainly the most competent superintendent with whom I am acquainted and take great pleasure in recommending him to any architect or owner, who may have opportunity for his services, and will cheerfully anser all letters regarding him. N. Clifford Ricker."

In addition to his work in Champaign Mr. Sutton was the builder of the city hall and the high school building of Springfield and he was instrumental in the passage of the measure by the school board providing for the erection of the latter. He also superintended the erection of several store buildings in this city and thus many of the best public structures of Springfield stand as monuments to his enterprise, his skill and his handiwork. He was also superintendent of street improvements in Springfield at the time of the laying of the first pavements here, cedar blocks being used for this purpose.

In 1884, in this city, Mr. Sutton was married to Miss Hattie J. Smith, who was born in Wisconsin in 1857 and came with her parents to Springfield when a little maiden of seven years. Her great-great-grandfather on the paternal side was an officer in the Continental army during the Revolutionary war. He bore the name of Fuller. Also on the paternal side was Major Brown, who was likewise connected with the patriotic army. Mrs. Sutton is a daughter of Captain William F. and Electa (Loomis) Smith. Her father, a native of Boston, spent his last days in Kiowa, Kansas, where he died at sixty-nine years of age. He was a soldier in Grant's regiment during the Civil war, serving in the commissary department for nearly three years. In 1864 he came to Springfield and was identified with mercantile interests, establishing what was known as Smith Brothers Fancy Bazaar. This business was continued for over twenty years, at the end of which time Captain Smith sold out to his brother Fred. He then entered the office of the adjutant general as assistant to General Elliott and was thus employed for a time. In the meantime he had made judicious investments in real estate in Kansas at the time of his death. His wife, who was born in Pennsylvania, died in Springfield in 1872, at the age of thirty-three years. By that marriage there were born four children, two of whom were born in Wisconsin. They are Hattie J., the widow of our subject; Inez, who was married to Miles A. Simmons, a descendant of Dr. Simmons and died in Memphis, Tennessee, July 19, 1902; William A., who is employed in the watch factory in Elgin, Illinois; Nettie M., who is the wife of Charles Richardson, who is a clerk in the Leland Hotel. She was born in Springfield. Mrs. Sutton attended the public schools of this city and was a student in a private school for two years. By her marriage she has become the mother of five children, all of whom were born and educated here. They are Electa, who was born July 17, 1885, and is now a student in the high school; James C., born August 1, 1886; Hattie Jeanette, born July 23, 1892; Mary Louise, born June 24, 1894; and Stephen Presco, born December 26, 1895. All are now in school with the exception of James, who is with the American Shorthorn Breeders Association of Chicago.

Mr. Sutton was a member of the Improved Order of Red Men and of the Modern Woodmen Camp, No. 1418. He also belonged to Percival Lodge, No. 262, K. P., of which he was a charter member and in which he passed all the chairs. He took a deep interest in the work of that organization, was one of its leading representatives and at his death the lodge passed resolutions of respect and sympathy. In politics a Republican, he served as a member of the county board of supervisors when only twenty-one years of age, the youngest man who ever was a member of the board. The family residence has ben at No. 620 West Edwards street since 1888 and Mrs. Sutton also owns two other residence properties, adjoining her home. The latter was remodeled just prior to the death of Mr. Sutton, who took great pleasure in providing his family with a good home. He attended the Congregational church, was a member of the building committee of th old church and a member of the board of trustees. For three years he served on the board of education and it was through his influence that the high school was built at its present location. Springfield found him a citizen interested in all that pertained to her welfare. He kept informed concerning her needs and her opportunities and labored to supply the one and to advance the other. He was influential and progressive and his efforts along material, social, intellectual and moral lines were of marked benefit to Illinois' capital. Mrs. Sutton is an active worker in doing good.