Santa Clara County Biographies This file is part of the California Genealogy & History Archives http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~cagha/index.htm WILLIAM SUTHERLAND resides on the Saratoga and Alviso road, about two miles north of Lawrence, in the Braley School District. His farm contains eighty acres of choice land, and with the exception of a small portion reserved for orchard culture, it is used exclusively for the production of hay and grain, and the raising of stock. A plentiful supply of water is furnished by two fine artesian wells, one being 300 feet in depth and flowing five inches over a seven-inch pipe, and the other 425 feet in depth and flowing two and one-half inches over a seven-inch pipe. The subject of our sketch was born in Durham County, England, in 1821. He is the son of James and Jane (Richerson) Sutherland, his father being a native of Scotland, and his mother of England. His father was a gardener, but William was brought up as a collier, being put to work in the coal mines when but ten years of age. Naturally his opportunities for gaining an education were extremely limited, and the fulfillment of the plans which he has made in his life�work has been due to his natural ability and perseverance. Mr. Sutherland was united in marriage, in 1844, with Miss Ann Dawson, the daughter of Robert Dawson, a resident of his native county. Five years after his marriage, he came with his family to the United States, with the hope of bettering his fortunes in this land of promise. Landing at New Orleans, he proceeded directly to St. Louis. Several months were spent in the coal mines of Missouri and Illinois, and in 1850 he crossed the plains to this State. On his arrival he went into the mines in Placer County, but left them in 1851, to start out in a new venture,�that of agriculture. He purchased a farm in Sacramento County, and conducted it for five years. He then removed to Fresno County, and, settling upon Kings River, spent the next three years in stock-raising. From Fresno County he removed to his present home in 1868. Two years later he crossed the ocean to visit his old English home, but returned to the new home in this lovely valley well content. Mr. Sutherland is a member of the Southern Methodist Church, and his daily walk is such as has gained for him the respect and confidence of his neighbors and associates. Politically he is a Democrat, with liberal views. Of the ten children born to Mr. and Mrs. Sutherland, but three are living, viz.: James, who married Miss Eliza Esrey, of Fresno County, and is now a resident of Santa Clara County; Elizabeth, who became the wife of Elbert C. Apperson, of Santa Clara County, where they now reside; and Clara, who makes her home with her parents. Pen Pictures From The Garden of the World or Santa Clara County, California, Illustrated. - Edited by H. S. Foote.- Chicago: The Lewis Publishing Company, 1888. Pg. 542 WILLIAM SUTHERLAND SANTA CLARA COUNTY RANCHER SURNAMES: RICHARDSON, DAWSON, APPERSON, BUCKNER One of the most widely known, most successful and popular pioneers who ever lived in Santa Clara County was William Sutherland, who established his home on an eighty-acre ranch on the Saratoga and Alviso road, now known as Sutherland Avenue. A small portion of the ranch was devoted to family orchard, but the production of hay and grain and the raising of stock were the most profitable. Two fine artesian wells furnished an abundance of water for irrigation and for the large number of cattle, one being 300 feet deep and the other 425 feet in depth. William Sutherland was born in Durham County, England, in 1821. His father, James Sutherland was a native of Scotland, and his mother, Jane (Richardson) Sutherland, was born in England. The father was a gardener by occupation, but William was put to work in the coal mines when but ten years of age. Opportunities for an education were extremely limited, but the success he accomplished was due entirely to his ability, energy and perseverance in the face of discouragement and limited means. In 1845 Mr. Sutherland was united in marriage with Miss Ann Dawson, born in England in 1825, the daughter of Robert Dawson. Five years after his marriage, he came to the United States, hoping to better his fortunes in this land of promise. Landing at New Orleans, he proceeded at once up the Mississippi to St. Louis. He spent several months in the coal mines of Missouri and Illinois and during the year of 1851 he came across the plains to California. He was first engaged in the mines in Placer County, but the next year concluded to try a new venture, that of agriculture. His wife and two children then joined him, coming from England via Panama, but the oldest child, a girl, died soon after their arrival. He located in Sacramento County and purchased a farm and conducted it until 1855, and then settling upon the Kings River engaged in stock raising very profitably for thirteen years. In 1868 he removed to Santa Clara County and purchased the property known all over the county as the Sutherland Homestead. Returning to England in 1870 for a visit, he came back to the Golden State, well content to spend his remaining years in the beautiful and productive Santa Clara Valley. He was an active and generous member of the Southern Methodist Church and his exemplary life won for him the respect and esteem of all who knew him. He was a stanch Democrat, but was a liberal in his views. His influence for good was far reaching and his industry and integrity were potent factors in his success and the younger generation would do well to emulate the example of his well-spent life. Mr. and Mrs. Sutherland were the parents of ten children, but only three grew up, two of whom are now living: James, deceased, whose sketch appears in this work; Elizabeth, the wife of Elbert C. Apperson of Sunol, and Mrs. Clara Buckner of Exeter. Mr. Sutherland died at his home in San Jose in 1903, while his wife survived him until June 17, 1911. History of Santa Clara County California with Biographical Sketches, History by Eugene T. Sawyer, Historic Record Company, Los Angeles, California, 1922, page 366 transcribed by jchavnar