The Library’s primary location will be 3238 Minnesota Senate Building until
January 12, 2027. Visit us there or contact us at 651-296-8338 or
library@lrl.mn.gov.
- LRL Home
- Legislators Past & Present
- Member Record
John B. Sutton
House 1895 (District 23)
Party when first elected: Republican
Counties Served:
Washington
BIOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION
Date of Birth:
4/21/1849
Birth Place:
, Pennsylvania
Birth County:
Pike
Birth Country:
United States
Date of Death:
2/4/1931
Gender:
Male
Religion:
Reported Minority: None Reported
Other Names:
City of Residence (when first elected):
Stillwater
Occupation (when first elected):
Engineer and Machinist, Manufacturing of Engines, Minnesota Thresher Manufacturing Company, Stillwater/Former Traveling Salesman and Expert, Northwestern Car Company
EDUCATION
OTHER GOVERNMENT SERVICE
Municipal Council/Aldermen:
Stillwater, Minnesota (City Council, Alderman, 2 terms; President, 1 year);
1889 to 18??
State Agency:
Minnesota State Boiler Inspector (Deputy Inspector; Appointed by Governor Clough);
05/04/1895 to 12/12/1895
[Appointed]
FAMILY RELATIONSHIPS
Spouse:
Ida Green (married in 1881)
Children:
Family Members Who Have Served in the Minnesota Legislature:
GENERAL NOTES
He came to Minnesota in March 1880.
He was buried at the Pilot Knob Masonic, now Acacia Park, Cemetery in Mendota Heights, Minnesota.
Elected:
11/6/1894
Residence:
Stillwater
Term of Office:
1/7/1895 to 5/2/1895
(unfinished term)
Oath Date:
1/8/1895
Counties Represented:
Washington
Occupation:
Engineer and Machinist, Manufacturing of Engines, Minnesota Thresher Manufacturing Company, Stillwater/Former Traveling Salesman and Expert, Northwestern Car Company
Party:
Republican
Committees:
-
Building and Loan Associations
-
Labor and Labor Legislation
-
Logs and Lumber
-
Manufactures
-
Mines and Minerals
Reason for unfinished term:
Session Notes:
He resigned May 2, 1895 to take an appointment as the inspector of boilers. However, that appointment was challenged in the courts. According to the Minnesota Constitution at the time, he could resign from the Legislature, but not be appointed to the executive branch during the term he was elected for in the legislature, which was not set to expire until January 4, 1897.
Articles & Books About
-
"John B. Sutton: Stillwater Legislator." Stillwater Gazette, March 8, 2026.
-
"State ex rel. Childs, Attorney General v. Sutton." 63 Minn. 147, December 12, 1895.