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John Sutherland
Mr. Sutherland was born in Lavaca, Texas, June 22, 1864. His father, George Q. Sutherland, a native of Virginia, came to Texas when a small boy and lived for a number of years at Sutherland Springs in Wilson County. When the war broke out he joined the Confederate forces under General Hood, but most of the time was on detail duty. After the war he returned to Lavaca County, took up stock farming, but died in 1868. His wife was Lydia Middlebrook, a native of Mississippi, who was brought to Texas in 1837. George Q. Sutherland and wife had four children; Anna, who died at the age of fifty-five, was the wife of L. B. Malden and had four children; John; George W., born in 1867, a stock rancher at Alice, Texas, married Sallie McDonald, a native of Bay City, and had three children; and Sarah, born in 1869, was the wife of L. T. Hilburn, a native of Fort Worth, contractor and builder and they had four children.
John Sutherland acquired his early education in the public schools of Lavaca county and also did a great deal of home study, and always followed the practice of reading and keeping in touch with public affairs. After school he worked three years in a lumber business. Later he acquired a third interest in a saw mill at Hooks Switch in Hardin County, but after a year sold out and established a lumber yard at Yoakum, where he was in business two years. Rockport also claimed him as a business man for two years, and for ten years he was a general merchant at Burne [Boerne?], Texas. For two years he was on the road as a traveling salesman for the William Cameron Lumber Company and in 1898 was in the lumber business at Bay City, this time in connection with the Alamo Lumber Company. Besides his financial interest in this business, he owned a large farm and had a home in Bay City.
Ethel was the wife of C. G. Tippins, of Dallas, and they had a daughter, Ethel May. Ibbie was the wife of C. J. Roundsville, a depot agent at Hamilton, Texas, and had two children, Quinn and Stella Jane. George Q. was a farmer and stock man at Wadsworth, Texas, married Adeline Porter and had one son, John D. Florence was the wife of S.C. Creech, an automobile man at Waco, Texas, and their son, John S., died at the age of thirteen, and their other son, Sid, born in 1921. Miss Johnnie married Floyd Ehlenberg, a traveling salesman.
Texas Under Many
Flags, Clarence W. Wharton, American Historical Society, 1930
Matagorda County
Genealogical Society Publication, Oak Leaves, Vol. 8 #4,
August 1989 |
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“Uncle John” Sutherland knew that he would live to see his 101st birthday. A devout Baptist, he often said that the Lord had promised him he that he would, according to his daughter, Mrs. Stella Norton. And he did. He outlived his 101st birthday by four days.
The end, when it came, was mercifully swift. He died peacefully, Saturday afternoon, shortly after speaking to his daughter, Mrs. Norton. He was exceptionally alert all morning and remained so until the very end, she said.
John Sutherland was born on June 22, 1864 in a little settlement called Old Sweet Home which no longer exists. It was located near the present town of Yoakum, Tex. His father was a soldier in the Confederate War, and his grandfather was the Alamo messenger who escaped the massacre there. His grandfather lived to be 105 years old.
“Uncle John” married the former Miss Estelle M. Anderson in 1885. She died here in 1933.
Bay City’s third mayor, he was elected to his first term in 1907, and he remained in office until 1915. He was returned to office from 1917 until 1919.
During his 14 years in office, Bay City grew and improved to an extent of which “the most sanguine never dreamed,” according to The Tribune of 1911, a fact which was created “almost, if not entirely, to the mayor’s personal efforts.”
“The little city was lifted out of the mud that bogged horses and vehicles, the mayor obtaining 600 cars of free gravel from the railroad. The sewer system and the water works were installed,” according to the Tribune’s 100th Anniversary Issue of 1945.
He was instrumental in the removal of a raft of debris on the Colorado which caused numerous floods here. During World War I, Sutherland was very active as a Liberty Loan Drive speaker. He also helped found the Bay City Public Library and the First Baptist Church’s library.
He was a member of the Baptist Church since his conversion as a boy of 14.
“Uncle John” was also an early oil man, and was one of the developers of “Big Hill.” Later the Matagorda Oil Company organized by Sutherland sold their interest to the Gulf Sulphur Company.
During the past several years, old age gradually crept up on “Uncle John,” although more slowly, perhaps, than on many others. He remained very alert for his years, but his eyesight and hearing both deteriorated to where he could only distinguish light from dark, and he lived in an increasingly silent world.
Several months ago, he fell and broke his hip, but he had entirely recovered from his injury. He returned to his beloved home at 3021 Avenue L St., where he had spent so many happy years, about six weeks ago. There he was well enough to receive visitors, and did so until the very end.
Saturday afternoon at 1:30 p. m. “Uncle John” finally rested. It had been a long, full life.
Funeral services will be held today at 3 p. m. in the Sanctuary of the First Baptist Church with the minister, Dr. William B. Williams and a grandson, Rev. Billy Norton of the New Gulf Baptist Church officiating.
Burial will follow in Cedarvale Cemetery under the direction of the Bay City Funeral Home. Graveside services will be conducted by the Bay City Masonic Lodge #865. Sutherland was the oldest living Mason in the State, having joined in 1885.
Pallbearers are D. F. Wiginton, Sims McDonald, J. C. Sloan, R. L. Carroll, Connie Anderson, Ira Clements, W. H. Sloan and Dr. D. A. Einkauf.
Honorary pallbearers will be all deacons of the First Baptist Church. Sutherland had been a deacon of the church since 1901.
Survivors include one son, George, of Wadsworth, four daughters, Mrs. Stella Norton, Mrs. Ethel Kinsey, both of Bay City, Mrs. Johnny Elenburg of Dallas, Mrs. C. J. Rounsaville of Mt. Pleasant; seven grandchildren; and 12 great grandchildren.
The Daily Tribune, June 28, 1965 |
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The First Baptist Church of Bay City honored Uncle John Sutherland last Sunday for 55 years of service as a deacon. According to the church newsletter: "Uncle John became a deacon in our church in 1901 and has served continuously for these 55 years. He not only has been a blessing to countless people during these many years but is a constant inspiration to all of us who know him today. "Uncle John is 92 years young and only this year underwent major surgery. And yet he is more faithful in his attendance than many of our members who are younger and healthier. Just to see him in the services Sunday by Sunday helps us to know that walking with Jesus Christ will get better as we grow older. "Today we honor him for his 55 years of service as a deacon. His portrait will be placed in our church library and under it will be placed an engraved plaque commemorating this day. "All of us in the church family join together in saying: 'God Bless you, Uncle John.'" Flowers were placed in the church sanctuary Sunday in honor of Uncle John and in memory of Mrs. Sutherland by their grandchildren, Mr. and Mrs. Tom C. Hart and children and Dr. and Mrs. John Quinn Rounsaville of Dallas.
Bay City News, June 14, 1956 |
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Mrs. John Sutherland
was a very devoted companion loyal and faithful. She was a mother in
the most loyal sense and a great lover of home and her family. She
gave her of her time without thought of herself to every care and
need of her family. May this blessing of our good Heavenly Father
rest upon the husband and children that is our deepest prayer.
Daily Tribune,
June 3, 1933 |
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John Sutherland’s grandfather, Dr. John Sutherland, Jr. (1792-1867) moved to San Antonio in 1835; there the Alamo garrison hired his medical services. He was injured in a fall from a horse and could not fight, so Col William B. Travis sent him to bring help from Gonzales. Dr. Sutherland returned with a contingent of men only to see the funeral pyres; among the dead was William DePriest Sutherland (1818-1836) the seventeen year old son of his brother George. John Sutherland (1864–1965) and his wife Estelle Anderson Sutherland (1864–1933) are buried at Cedarvale Cemetery in Section 2 Block 59.
Alamo
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Mr. S. S. Creech and Miss Florence Sutherland of this city, surprised their many friends yesterday by going over to Wharton and getting married. After the ceremony the young couple returned to their home in Bay City where they will reside in the future, and are now at home to their friends at the residence of Mr. and Mrs. John Sutherland. The groom is the junior member of The Bay City Auto Co., and is a young man of sterling worth and character. He is a faithful worker, a competent machinist and through his constant application to business and quiet determined efforts has made for himself a good reputation and gathered around him many strong personal friends. The bride is the daughter of Mayor and Mrs. John Sutherland, is popular young lady and likewise is possessed with a large circle of friends. The Tribune wishes Mr. and Mrs. Creech a happy and prosperous voyage through life.
The
Matagorda County Tribune,
September 15, 1911 |
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The Alamo Lumber Company is one of the oldest and probably the most
famous lumberyards in Texas. On February 4, 1903, the company was
granted its original charter as a Texas corporation. In 1901 William Negley, George A. Dascomb, George C. Vaughn, and J. Sutherland were sitting in the San Antonio Club looking at the Alamo. Establishing a chain of lumberyards was the topic of discussion. When it came time to decide on a name, all four simultaneously decided to call the chain the "Alamo Lumber Company."
A decision had to be made as to the location of the lumberyards. It so happened that on the next day, Sutherland acquired for the company a firm at Kennedy; the following day, one at Eagle Lake; and on the third day, he came to Bay City.
Sutherland returned to Eagle Lake and contacted Colonel W. T. Eldredge, the promoter of the Cane Belt Railroad, and secured a 25-year lease on the site which Alamo Lumber Company now occupies in Bay City. It revolved upon Sutherland to order the first 100 cars of lumber for the yard in Bay City, and it was not long before Dascomb persuaded Sutherland to return to Bay City to receive the lumber and to have the sheds built. When Sutherland arrived, he contracted the firm of Hatchett, Large and Baker, carpenters, to build the offices and the sheds.
In the meantime, a lumber bill for 25 houses and barns was received from the Northern Irrigation Company, and Sutherland proceeded to fill the bill. He "raised the roof" every day about finding someone to replace him.
The Bay City venture proved to be one of the best in South Texas, and even though there were storms, floods, and other calamities, Sutherland still had faith in this country. He died at age 102.
Today the Alamo Lumber Company is an up-to-date push-button lumberyard, handling all kinds of lumber. The company also has a ready-mix concrete service, with a fleet of trucks to deliver anywhere in the area. Alamo Lumber Company has played an important part in the growth of Bay City and Matagorda County.
Daily Tribune (Bay City), January 21, 1977 |
John Sutherland,
whose business experience at the outset of his career was in
lumbering and who with the excepting of a few years had been
identified with that industry and business ever since, had been an
extremely useful citizen of Bay City, and lent his influence and
effort to the promotion of every worthy cause and a number of
projects for the material development of the community.
Sutherland originally came to Bay City to set up one of a line of
lumber yards called Alamo Lumber Company. He was later manager of
the Company’s Bay City office, and directed the plant here until his
retirement in 1959.