Early Memories of Saugatuck, Michigan : 1830-1930
Author: Heath, May Francis
Publisher: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company; Grand Rapids, Mich: 1930

WARNER P. SUTTON

Warner P. Sutton was born Oct. 16, 1849. His father, Luther Sutton, and mother, Priscilla Jane Bancroft, of Hartford, Conn., both came of pioneer stock, and settled in Michigan in 1830.

As a young man Mr. Sutton taught school in Watervliet and Ludington. In 1875 he came to Saugatuck as superintendent of the schools, where he taught three years and graduated the first class in 1878. and that year through his friend, Senator Thomas White Ferry, he received appointment as Consular Agent at Matamoros, Mexico; he later became Consul and then Consul General at Nuevo Laredo. Mexico, serving in these offices for fifteen years, 1878 to 1893. during the terms of Hayes, Garfield, Arthur, Cleveland and Harrison.

In 1889 he was called to Washington by Secretary of State Elaine to act as secretary of the American delegation to the first Pan-American Conference. His greatest effort was given to improving commercial and friendly relations between the United States and the Latin republics. His consular reports were painstaking and complete and did much to bring about a better understanding.

After leaving the Consular service Mr. Sutton engaged in the practice of International law, having many interesting cases, the most notable of which was the Cheek case against the King of Siam, which Mr. Sutton won.

During the Spanish-American War he served under General Miles in Porto Rico after which he retired, living in Saugatuck at his home "The Beeches." Soon, however, he became an invalid from a stroke and he and Mrs. Sutton went to Madison,, Ohio, where in 1913 he died.

There are four children, Saida and White, who live in Honolulu, Ethel, of Madison, Ohio, and Enid, of Iowa, all of whom with the widow survive.