John Sutherland Biography This biography is from "Memorial and biographical record; an illustrated compendium of biography, containing a compendium of local biography, including biographical sketches of prominent old settlers and representative citizens of South Dakota..." Published by G. A. Ogle & Co., Chicago, 1899. Pages 752-753 Scan, OCR and editing by Maurice Krueger,mkrueger@iw.net, 1998. 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. This file is part of the SDGENWEB Archives. If you arrived here inside a frame or from a link from somewhere else, our front door is at http://usgwarchives.org/sd/sdfiles.htm JOHN SUTHERLAND. It is said that the poet is born, not made, but the successful lawyer is both born and made,— made by close application, earnest effort, by perseverance and resolute purpose. The abilities with which nature has endowed him must be strengthened and developed by use, and only by merit can the lawyer gain a preeminent position. Among the most prominent and successful attorneys now practicing at the bar of Pierre, South Dakota, is the gentleman whose name heads this sketch. Mr. Sutherland was born on the 18th of February, 1858, in New Brunswick, Canada, of which province his parents, Andrew and Catherine (McVicker) Sutherland, were also natives. In 1859 the family removed to Wisconsin, in which state the father has since followed agricultural pursuits. There our subject was reared, and his early education acquired in the public schools of Wisconsin, was supplemented by a course in the Chicago University and also in the Brown University of Providence, Rhode Island, graduating from the latter institution in 1880. He was then professor of Latin and Greek in Wayland University, Beaver Dam, Wisconsin, for five years, during which time he read law. Coming to Pierre, South Dakota, in 1884, he has since engaged in the real estate business and in the practice of law, being admitted to the bar in 1885, but since 1896 has given his entire time and attention to his professional duties, being associated with J. F. Dillon under the firm name of Dillon & Sutherland. In 1881, Mr. Sutherland married Miss Laura P. Aiken, a native of Vermont, who died in 1886, leaving two daughters, Martha E. and Laura P. In religious faith he is a Baptist and in his social relations is a member of the Ancient Order of United Workmen and the Knights of Pythias. Politically he is an ardent Republican, and taking a deep interest in educational affairs, he has most efficiently served as a member of the school board of Pierre. Upright, reliable and honorable, his strict adherence to principle commands the respect of all. The place he has won in the legal profession is accorded him in recognition of his skill and ability, and the place which he occupies in the social world is a tribute to that genuine worth and true nobleness of character which are universally recognized and honored.