The SUTTON Family

The Edward Sutton Family

Edward was a farmer traveling from NY to Kansas by covered wagon. Records showed he lived in several states while pushing westward, finally settling in Cowley County. They came from Marshall Co., Kansas in 1859 with nine of their thirteen children. The trip required three weeks to complete and after camping for two weeks, Edward bought a claim six miles north of Cambridge. The Grouse Creek postoffice was established at their farm and Edward was the first postmaster. Mail was carried by pony and stagecoach from Independence to Douglass and the carriers would spend two nights a week in the Sutton home. Edward was also the proprietor of a flouring mill near Lazette in 1871.

Joseph (Joel) Henry, the fifth child of Edward and Elizabeth was born March 7, 1855 in Buchanan Co., Iowa. He married on February 12, 1882 in Winfield to Mary Ellen Martin. Joel died 5-3-1935 and Mary died 4-23-1902. Both are buried at Grenola, Kansas. Eight children were born to this union; Chester Earl, Belle, Mary, Bessie, Frank, Harry, Willie and Ethel.

Chester Earl, the first child of Joel and Mary, was born December 22, 1882 at Cambridge. He married February 27, 1907 to Lena Wonser at Sedan, Kansas. Chester died 3-5-1936 and Lena died 8-8-1962. Five children were born to this union; Hellen, Clarence Earl, Orville, Hiley and Joseph.

Clarence Earl was the second child of Chester and Lena. He was born November 24, 1909 at Amorita, Oklahoma. He married Isabel M. Ward on November 21, 1936 at Longton. They had six children, all who still live in Cowley County; Betty Scarth, Earl Sutton, Joan Hawley, Jack Sutton, Boyd Sutton and Darlene Krug. Clarence died 4-30-1960 and is buried at Grenola. Isabel now lives in Winfield.

Boyd Ray, the fifth child of Clarence and Isabel was born 10-24-1942 near Grenola. He has lived in Winfield since his discharge from the Air Force in 1964. On July 25, 1964 he married Judi Foster at Oxford. They have two children, Chad Ray and Jason Carl. Boyd is a captain at the Winfield Fire Department and has worked there for 17 years. Jason was born March 20, 1970 in Winfield and is a student at the University of Kansas.

I am the first child of Boyd and Judi. I was born November 5, 1966 in Winfield. I attended school here all twelve years, graduating from high school in 1985. On August 16, 1986 I married Susan Carder and we both graduated from Southwestern College in 1989.

Submitted by Chad Sutton
Scanned out of the Cowley County Heritage book, pg 302.