Attorney Lyle F. Sutton - 1891

SUTTON, HOWES

Posted By: cheryl moonen (email)
Date: 5/22/2017 at 22:28:23

The Clinton Age, Clinton, Iowa, January 20, 1891

CAPT. SUTTON

SOME NOTES OF HIS LIFE -
BRIGHT MIND – A WORKER

The election of Attorney L. F. Sutton to the captaincy of Co. E. I. N. G., of Clinton, is a worthy recognition of an energetic, brainy, popular young man, and puts at the head of this company a man with the requisite ability and energy to keep the body advancing to the front rank as a well drilled, well-disciplined body of young men, selected from our best families, yet gifted with that American idea so commendable and general, that it is rather an honor than otherwise to be self-sustaining, as all of them are, some already. Though young in years, being among Clinton’s most successful business men.

But in the newly chosen captain is the most interested centered, just now, and many are the words of compliment and congratulations he has been called upon to listen to since the election Thursday, and of his life the AGE will speak briefly.

A Clinton boy, he passed with honor through the public schools, graduating in 1877 from the high school, having gained much of the foundation of his business training by carrying daily papers and collecting on his route while attending his school duties.

Going from here then to the State University at Iowa City he graduated from the Academical Department of that institution in 1880, having accomplished the remarkable and unusual task of taking the four year course in three years, feat that he is alone on the record for performing. For the next three years he was a civil engineer with the C. & N. W., running lines in Iowa and Dakota, frequently, though a mere youth, being given charge of important work and large gangs of men, and probably he learned much of his generalship there.

In 1884, he graduated from the law department of the Iowa State University, and at once began practicing in Clinton, where he has since been practicing, now being considered being one of the clearest minded, and most successful attorneys of the county.

His popularity in the city is attested to the by his selection to office, for though a staunch Republican he served as City Clerk form Oct. 15, 1885 to March, 1888, when he became, by popular vote, city auditor, being reelected to that office, which he filled to March, 1890. During his law practice in the city, though crowded with city and law work, he was urged to take the ungraded winter school of the city – attended by urchins who are not regular attendance at school, or are so unruly as to be beyond the control of other teachers. Consenting he taught four winters and not only kept order but won the respect and even love of the youths, white and black, who attended.

His military career is a progressive and commendable as has been that in educational and legal work. During his last year in the University he was made captain of the Color Co. of the University. He served one year as a private in Company E. then was advanced to Color Sergeant of the 1st regiment of the state, which position he held until last October, when he was elected 2nd Lieut. of Co. E., from which office he was advanced to the captaincy last Thursday. He is also Capt. of Hart Division, U. R. K. P., of Clinton. Which position he has held for two years.

To fill the vacancy caused by his promotion, an election has been called for Monday night to elect a Second Lieutenant, prominently mentioned for such place being Sergeant W. H. Howes, a hard worker in the company.