Multnomah County OR Archives Biographies.....Sutton, Alfred E. 1878 - 
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File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by:
Ila L. Wakley iwakley@msn.com May 28, 2009, 1:03 am

Author: The S. J. Clarke Publishing Company

     ALFRED E. SUTTON.  Among the largest and most important grain dealing 
concerns in the northwest is that of Strauss & Company, Inc., the main office 
of which is in Portland, and of which Alfred E. Sutton is vice president and 
general manager. This great organization is largely the outcome of Mr. 
Sutton's initiative efforts and energetic and progressive methods, and he has 
gained a foremost place among the able and successful business men of the 
Columbia River valley. Born in England in 1878, he is a son of Thomas and Ann 
(Campbell) Sutton. After passing the examination of the College of Preceptors 
of England, he became connected with the British Shipping Federation for 
several years, and also the North of England Protective and Indemnity 
Association. During the following five years he was employed by government 
ship brokers at Le Havre, France, and while in that country made a study of 
shipping and marine jurisprudence. He was in charge of American and British 
shipping interests, both imports and exports, and remained in that work until 
1898, when he came to Portland, Oregon, and entered the export grain business 
with the Northwestern Warehouse Company, of San Francisco. In 1901 he went to 
Tacoma, Washington, as manager of the company where he had charge of the 
Northwestern dock, which was one of the new Northern Pacific Railroad docks, 
and gave his attention to the development of the grain export business through 
that port. He remained at Tacoma about seven years, during which period he 
organized the grain and shipping firm of A. E. Sutton and Company in 1905. He 
also served for seven years as the French Consular Agent at that place and in 
recognition of his efficient service in that capacity the French government 
made him an Officier d' Academie. In 1909 Mr. Sutton consolidated his company 
with several others under the name of the Northern Grain and Warehouse 
Company, the head office of which was at Portland, with branch offices at 
Seattle, Tacoma, Spokane, San Francisco, Los Angeles and other cities. Of this 
concern Mr. Sutton was vice president and took charge of the Seattle office, 
with supervision over all the northern territory. This was a successful 
company and was carried on until 1923, when E. A. Strauss, of London, one of 
the largest importers of wheat, barley and hops, acquired a considerable 
financial interest in the business, which was at that time reorganized under 
the name of Strauss & Company, Inc., with offices in the same cities as the 
former organization had. In 1924 Mr. Sutton came to Portland as vice president 
and general manager of the company, in which capacity he is still serving. 
Strauss & Company has several subsidiary organizations, such as the Northern 
Flour Mills Company, with mills at Walla Walla, Washington, and Missoula. 
Montana, of which company Mr. Sutton is vice president; the Northwestern Dock 
and Elevator Company, which owns terminals at Portland and Seattle, and over 
thirty elevators in various parts of the northwest. Mr. Sutton is also vice 
president of the Portland Merchants Exchange and was chairman of its grain 
committee in 1928.
     
     In 1901 Mr. Sutton was united in marriage to Miss Martha Sherman Tracy, a 
daughter of the late C. W. Tracy, a pioneer of Portland, where he was long 
engaged in the grain business. To Mr. and Mrs. Sutton have been born two 
children, Helen Campbell and Alfred Edward, Jr., who is connected with his 
father's company. Mr. Sutton is a member of State Lodge, No. 68, A. F. & A. 
M., at Tacoma, Washington; the Arctic Club, of Seattle, Washington; the 
Multnomah Athletic Club and the Chamber of Commerce. Politically he is a 
republican and is a loyal and public-spirited citizen of his adopted country, 
commanding the confidence and esteem of his fellowmen. He owns a very 
attractive summer home near Bremerton, Washington, and his favorite form of 
recreation is motor boating and yachting.

Additional Comments:
History of the Columbia River Valley From The Dalles to the Sea, Vol. II, 
Pages 788-789

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