John B. Sutter Biography This biography appears on pages 1307-1308 in "History of South Dakota" by Doane Robinson, Vol. II (1904) and was scanned, OCRed and edited by Maurice Krueger, mkrueger@iw.net. This file may be freely copied by individuals and non-profit organizations for their private use. Any other use, including publication, storage in a retrieval system, or transmission by electronic, mechanical, or other means requires the written approval of the file's author. JOHN B. SUTTER.—The subject of this sketch was born October 27, 1848, in Switzerland and lived in his native land until twenty-one vears of age, growing to manhood on a farm and receiving a good education in the public schools. In 1869 he came to America and joined certain relatives who had preceded him to this country and who at the time noted were living in Buffalo county, Wisconsin. After spending the ensuing two years in that state as a farmer, he went to Sioux City, Iowa, near which place he was engaged in agricultural pursuits until the spring of 1875, when he joined the "Witcher Party," and started for the Black Hills. This was one of the first companies that penetrated the Black Hills country and a full account of the trip and incidents relating thereto will be found in another part of this volume. Mr. Sutter shared with his comrades the vicissitudes of travel and adventure and, arriving at the site of Custer City on the 17th of the following July, spent the interim between that time and the next September prospecting over various parts of the country. In the latter month he accompanied General Brook's command to Sidney, and from there returned to Iowa, making the long trip to Sioux City on foot and meeting with many interesting experiences on the way. In May, 1876, Mr. Sutter again started for Dakota and, coming via Pierre, reached Deadwood in due time, and during the next five years devoted his attention to prospecting and mining in the vicinity of that place and elsewhere. At the expiration of that time he went to Sturgis and for some months thereafter was employed at Fort Meade, where he remained until taking up his present ranch, on Alkali creek, in the spring of 1897. The following spring he moved his family to the new home and since that date he has been quite extensively engaged in agriculture and live stock, being at this time one of the leading farmers and cattle raisers in Meade county. His ranch, which lies about five miles southeast of Sturgis, is admirably situated and, with the improvements made since he took possession, is now one of the finest places of its area on the creek, being fertile, well watered and especially adapted for the purposes to which it is devoted. Mr. Sutter is a man of great industry and his labors have been abundantly rewarded as is attested by his beautiful home, large herds of fine cattle and other evidences of prosperity by which he is surrounded. He manifests a lively interest in public affairs, takes an active part in politics, and is recognized as one of the influential Republicans of the county, but he has persistently declined to accept office, having no ambition in that direction. Mr. Sutter, on July 17, 1888, was united in marriage with Miss Mary Utz, a native of Germany, who departed this life September 12, 1902, leaving five children, namely: Nina, Olga, Julia, George and Louisa. Of the business and social standing of the subject of this review it is unnecessary to speak, further than to state that few men of his neighborhood enjoy in as marked degree the respect and confidence of the public. His time and attention have been closely devoted to his manifold interest and to the enjoyment of his home; he possesses a generous nature, is especially considerate to those near and dear to him and his many friends, who respect him for his genuine worth and who will no doubt be pleased to see his history in the record of his adopted state.