LEONARD L. SUTTON. The banking interest of a community are necessarily
among the most important, for financial stability must be the foundation
stone upon which all reliable enterprises are erected. The men who control
and conserve the money of a community must possess qualities beyond the
ordinary. Public confidence must be with them, and they must use sagacity
and foresight in their operations. A citizen who has been connected with
the banking interests of Attica, Ohio, for some years, and who has done
much in the effective upbuilding of this community along additional lines
is Leonard L. Sutton, president of the Sutton State Bank.
Mr. Sutton was born in Reed Township, Seneca County, Ohio, December 5,
1863, and is a son of Lester and Emmeline (Rundell) Sutton. Mrs. Lester
Sutton, who was born March 10, 1835, died February 7, 1901. Lester Sutton
was born at Hornellsville, New York, July 13, 1836, was educated primarily
in the public schools of his native place, and at the age of seventeen
years came to Republic, Ohio, where he attended the Republic Academy. He
became a teacher in the public schools, and while thus engaged became a
student of law. After studying for a time under the preceptorship of Col.
Leander Stein he was admitted to the bar in 1865, and opened an office at
Attica, where he continued in a successful practice until his death, May
20, 1909. In 1878 Mr. Sutton established a private bank, originally known
as the Lester Sutton banking House. In 1903 he admitted his two sons, the
name of the institution at that time being changed to Lester Sutton & Sons,
bankers. This style continued until February 12, 1915, when it became the
Sutton State Bank, with the following officers: Leonard L. Sutton,
president; John Schottler, vice president; Charles C. Sutton, cashier, and
the board of directors includes the above three gentlemen, with W.L. Fritz
and C.M. Link. The capital stock is $40,000.
Leonard L. Sutton received his early education in the public schools of
Attica, and this was supplemented by a course at Denison University, from
which he was graduated with tthe degree of Bachelor of Arts as a member of
the class of 1889. He was then variously employed until 1903, at which time
he became identified with the bank, and in 1915 was elected its president,
when it secured a state charter. This is one of the sound and reliable
institutions of Seneca County and bears an excellent reputation.
On June 26, 1895, Mr. Sutton was united in marriage with Miss Gertrude
Wilhelm, who was reared on a farm in Seneca County, and to this union there
have been born three sons: John H., a graduate of Denison University,
Doctor of Philosophy, had a second lieutenant's commission during the World
war, and now resides at Dayton, Ohio. Corwin, a graduate of the same
university with the same degree, is now located at Attica; Russell is
completing his education at Denison University. Mr. and Mrs. Sutton and
their sons are members of the Baptist Church. Mr. Sutton is a past master
of Attica Lodge No. 367, Free and Accepted Masons and belongs to the
chapter at Willard, Ohio, and the council at Tiffin, this state. He is a
republican in his political attitude.
File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by
Gina Reasoner
GReasoner@prodigy.net
December 23, 1999
History of Ohio
The American Historical Society, Inc., 1925
Volume V, page 98-99