Ellis Craig Sutton 1876-1919

SUTTON, HANSON, CRAIG, AITCHISON, ANDERSON, BROWN

Posted By: Merllene Andre Bendixen (email)
Date: 9/23/2013 at 19:37:53

Former Light Plant Superintendent Dead
E.C. Sutton Passed Away Suddenly in Algona – Burial Was Made at Mount Pleasant
The many friends of E.C. Sutton in this city were shocked to hear of his death which occurred in Algona last Thursday, February 6th. Mr. Sutton had been in that city only a short time when death overtook him. He had accepted a position in that city with the light plant and was taken sick while on duty. He asked for leave to go to his room, which was granted to him. On his way home he stopped at a drug store to secure some medicine for a headache. He then retired to his room and when found he was in an unconscious condition from which he never rallied.

Mr. Sutton was for several years superintendent of the electric light plant in this city. While here he made many friends who are deeply grieved to learn of his death. He was a skilled workman and thoroughly competent in his work. He was of a cheery, genial disposition which made him a favorite with the workmen and all those with whom he came in contact. The remains were taken to Mt. Pleasant, Iowa, where burial services were held last Sunday. The wife, Mrs. Olaf Skog and Mr. and Mrs. Curtis Borreson, of this city, accompanied the body to that city.

We are unable at this time to get a complete obituary, but will have some for next week’s issue of the Democrat. The death of Mr. Sutton is sincerely regretted in this city. He was a good citizen and the kind of man that helps a town. We join the community in extending sympathy to the bereaved family at this time, in the loss of husband and father. May the Heavenly Father look down upon them in this hour of sorrow, and comfort their broken hearts. (Estherville Democrat, Estherville, IA, February 12, 1919)

Sad Death From “Flu”
A most unfortunate death was that of E.C. Sutton, late of Estherville, who came here about two weeks ago to accept a job at the city light and power plant. He began work January 29, but was taken with a severe headache the next day. To relieve the headache he took some headache tablets, and these seem to have weakened his heart. His illness proved to be influenza, and resulted in pneumonia, from which he died last Thursday night. He had been taken to the local hospital on the preceding Monday. After his death the body was taken to the Laird undertaking parlors, where brief services were conducted Friday noon, with the local Odd Fellows in charge, after which the body was shipped to Estherville for further services. It was to be shipped thence to Mt. Pleasant for burial. Mr. Sutton’s wife was called to his bedside before his death. There are four children. Mr. Sutton was between 40 and 50 years of age. It is said that he was for eight years superintendent of the Estherville light and power plant. Before coming here he had been employed at St. Paul or Minneapolis. He left an insurance policy of $1,000 for his family. His eldest child is a girl of 15, and the youngest child is four years old. There is another boy and a girl in the family. The Ackley Odd Fellows paid the funeral expenses. – Algona Advance (Estherville Daily News, Estherville, IA, February 19, 1919)

Ellis Craig Sutton
Pneumonia claimed another victim recently when Mr. Ellis Craig Sutton, who was born in this city on March 15, 1876, died in the hospital at Algona, Iowa, February 6, 1919. He was a son of Joseph and Jennie Craig Sutton, and will be well remembered by old school friend and playmates here. Until the age of sixteen years his home was in these parts. His grandfather, Rev. Milton Sutton, was a beloved minister of the Baptist church of this city for many years. Until the time of his removal from here Ellis was a faithful attendant at the Baptist church and Sunday school, never failing to be in his place at the appointed time. At about the age of sixteen he went to western Iowa, where he took up the study of electrical engineering, making it a life work in which he became very proficient, as an expert. At the age of twenty-one he accepted a position at Estherville, Iowa, where on November 7, 1898, he was united in marriage to Miss Christine Hanson of that place. With the exception of a short time spent in Oklahoma and Colorado they lived practically all their married life in Estherville and vicinity, where he commanded the love and respect of all with whom he came in contact. Five children came to bless their home. One died in infancy. Those remaining to sorrow with their mother are two boys and two girls. They grieve for a loving husband and father. He also leaves to mourn his early death two sisters, Mrs. (Rev.) J.T. Aitchison, of Boston, Mass., and Mrs. Clifford Anderson, of Mt. Pleasant; his aged father, Joseph Sutton, of Boston, and a cousin, Mrs. Joseph Brown, of Burlington, Iowa. There are also other relatives in the far west.

A short service was held in Algona. It was conducted by the Baptist pastor there. Then the remains were brought here to be laid to rest beside those of his mother who departed this world when he was five years of age. They were accompanied by his wife, a little son, James, who was his inseparable companion, Mrs. Olaf Skog and Mr. and Mrs. Curtis Borreson. They arrived on No. 5 Sunday morning and the funeral service which was attended by many old friends and acquaintances, was held in the First Baptist church at 3:30 o’clock on Sunday afternoon. Pastor Frank Weston spoke from the words “Behold I come quickly.” Members of the choir of the church sang. There were many beautiful flowers. The pall bearers were Fred and Basil Wiggins, Adrian and F.C. Bruhn, Grover Traut and Chas. Wells. Interment was in Forest Home.

Ellis Sutton had many friends in this section of Iowa where the family was well known some years ago. He was a fine man, a great lover of flowers, pets and children. The finer things of life appealed to him. He was a member of the I.O.O.F.. Lodge at Ackley, Iowa. Much sympathy is extended to his bereaved loved ones. – Mt. Pleasant News. (Estherville Democrat, Estherville, IA, February 26, 1919)