James Sutherland (Wisconsin politician)

James Sutherland (March 20, 1820 – October 30, 1905) was an American educator, historian, and Republican politician. He was the 17th mayor of Janesville, Wisconsin, (1872–1874) and was an important leader in the development of the city's school system. Earlier, he represented Rock County in the Wisconsin Senate (1855–1859), where he led the effort to create the Wisconsin normal schools.

James Sutherland
17th Mayor of Janesville, Wisconsin
In office
April 1872 – April 1874
Preceded byAnson Rogers
Succeeded byHiram Merrill
Member of the Wisconsin Senate
from the 17th district
In office
January 1, 1855 – January 3, 1859
Preceded byEzra Miller
Succeeded byZebulon P. Burdick
Personal details
Born(1820-03-20)March 20, 1820
Smithfield, Ohio, U.S.
DiedOctober 30, 1905(1905-10-30) (aged 85)
Janesville, Wisconsin, U.S.
Resting placeOak Hill Cemetery, Janesville, Wisconsin
Political partyRepublican
Free Soil (before 1854)
Spouse
Elizabeth Withington
(m. 1846; died 1899)
Children
  • James A. Sutherland
  • (b. 1847; died 1918)
  • Orion Sutherland
  • (b. 1849; died 1937)
  • Arcturus Sutherland
  • (b. 1852; died 1925)
  • Leverrier Sutherland
  • (b. 1854; died 1892)
  • Araby Sutherland
  • (b. 1858; died 1934)
  • Charles L. Sutherland
  • (b. 1858; died 1949)
  • Lily Imogene (Percival)
  • (b. 1861)
Alma materNorwalk Seminary

Biography

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Sutherland was born on March 20, 1820, in Smithfield, Ohio.[1][2] In December 1846, he married Elizabeth Withington. They had seven children.[1] Sutherland moved to Janesville, Wisconsin in 1847.[1] He was a member of the American Bible Society and Vice President of the Wisconsin Historical Society. He died in Janesville in 1905.[1]

Career

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Sutherland was a delegate to the Free Soil Party National Convention in 1852. In 1854, he took party in organizing the Republican Party of Wisconsin.

In 1848, Sutherland became Janesville's first Superintendent of Schools. He then went on to serve three terms in the Senate representing the 17th district. Later, he was elected Mayor of Janesville in 1872 and re-elected in 1873.

References

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  1. ^ a b c d "Death Summons Jas. Sutherland". Janesville Daily Gazette. October 21, 1905. p. 2. Retrieved July 10, 2019 – via Newspapers.com.  
  2. ^ "James Sutherland". WIGenWeb. Retrieved 2013-10-09.
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Wisconsin Senate
Preceded by Member of the Wisconsin Senate from the 17th district
January 1, 1855 – January 3, 1859
Succeeded by
Political offices
Preceded by
Anson Rogers
Mayor of Janesville, Wisconsin
April 1872 – April 1874
Succeeded by