JOHN B. SUTPHIN 1886-1889

(From the Thursday, July 16, 1908 Duluth News-Tribune)

JOHN B. SUTPHIN, EX-MAYOR AND PIONEER, PASSES AWAY

Death Comes After Long Illness, Which Became Acute Three Weeks Ago -- Sufferer Unconscious Since Tuesday -- Deceased Prominent in Promoting Welfare of Duluth.

John B. Sutphin, ex-mayor, well known politician and pioneer resident of Duluth, passed away at the home of his son, Ralph Sutphin, 318 Third avenue west, at 9:05 last night.

For over 24 hours he had been in a comatose condition and the physicians had abandoned hope of a change for the better. His son and daughter-in-law were at his bedside with a number of intimate friends when death came.

He had been suffering with kidney trouble for a long period, and nearly three years ago was forced to go to a sanitarium in Michigan for treatment. He returned to Duluth much improved and was not troubled seriously again until three weeks ago.

His condition became worse rapidly, and for the past three days his life hung in the balance. Dr. J. A. McCuen and Dr. Graham were at his bedside almost constantly, but were unable to bring relief. Unconsciousness overcome the sufferer Tuesday evening. He passed away in slumber.

The funeral will be held Friday evening at Elks' hall at 8 o'clock under the auspices of the local order of Elks. The body will lie in state at the hall from 10 o'clock in the morning until the services, when it will be taken to the night train for Minneapolis, where interment will be made in the family lot.

Senator Daugherty's Tribute.

"I was deeply pained to hear of the death of J. B. Sutphin," said Former State Senator J. B. Daugherty. "I had known him 35 years, and during the last 30 years I have known him intimately. A strong friendship existed between us.

"I was a member of the common council of Duluth when Mr. Sutphin was first elected mayor, and that was at a time when the foundations, as one may say, of this city were being laid. I am sure that H. C. Kendall, Captain John Monaghan, H. R. Armstrong and other of the council of the Sutphin administration, will certifiy to what I say when I declare that Mayor Sutphin was one of the best executives that this city has ever had. He devoted his entire time and thought to the interests of the city. His administration of the affairs of the city was honest and competent.

"Mr. Sutphin had a well balanced mind and much executive ability. He had much to do with re-establishing the credit of Duluth in taking up old bond issues that had been repudiated, in starting our splendid sewer system, the fire department and other matters that were in the nature of establishing the future city on a proper foundation.

"The people of Duluth some day will realize even better than now the great benefit of his administration, which was not temporary, but generally of a permanent character."

He Was a Pioneer.

John B. Sutphin was one of the oldest residents of the head of the lakes in point of residence, and likewise one of the best known and most popular. He came to the head of the lakes when he was about 20 years of age, and at the time of his death he was about 61 years old. He has been in Duluth or near the western end of Lake Superior for at least 40 years. During his earlier years in this region Mr. Sutphin was engaged in general trade on the south shore, and was much at Ontonagan and Houghton, but his headquarters for all of the time he has been in this region has been Duluth.

At the time of his death Mr. Sutphin was state weighmaster of the grain department. He was appointed by Governor Van Sant about seven years ago and has held the office continuously ever since. He was a painstaking and competent official, and discharged the duties of the office with the same care and consideration as he would conduct a personal enterprise. Mr. Sutphin has been a life-long Republican. He was elected mayor of Duluth in 1886, and held the office three terms. The Sutphin administration is well remembered as one during which the city enjoyed much prosperity and he has been mentioned again for the office in more recent years. He has always taken a very active part in Republican politics in this city and section, was a man of genial disposition and good address, and had a very large circle of friends.

Inclined Toward Big Affairs.

Mr. Sutphin's business ventures were not always successful, but they were always of interest and he was inclined to large affairs. One of the most interesting chapters in his business career was when he was associated with Marquis DeMores in the packing business. It was intended at the time to build up a vast packing industry, and it did flourish for a time, but conditions changed and it dwindled and was abandoned. Later Mr. Sutphin engaged in the packing industry here on his own account, and he built the plant at the West End now owned and operated by Elliott & Co.

Mr. Sutphin was a native of New Jersey. He is survived by a son, Ralph, of this city, and a sister, Mrs. Cherry. Rena Vivienne, the singer, is a niece of the late Mr. Sutphin.

Few men have enjoyed a wider circle of friends in Duluth than Mr. Sutphin, and his demise will cause much regret.