Will County ILGenWeb Biographies..... 
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File contributed for use by:
Dori Leekly & Margie Glenn

Author: History of Will County IL, 1878

Charles H. SUTPHEN, retired; P. 0. Joliet; was born in Cherry Valley, Otsego Co., 
N. Y., Feb. 15, 1806.; his father Gilbert SUTPHEN, was a native of New Jersey, and 
was of Dutch and Irish descent, his father, John SUTPHEN, having come from Holland 
some time before the Revolutionary war, and his mother being of one of the first 
families of Dublin, and came with her parents to America and settled in New Jersey 
about the same time. Shortly after the Revolutionary war the family removed to 
Cherry Valley, N. Y., and settled on a farm about four miles south of the village; 
on this farm Gilbert SUTPHEN, the father of Charles H., grew to manhood, and 
married Mary HIGINBOTHAM in Worcester, Otsego Co.; she was of English descent, 
born in Rhode Island, and removed to Worcester, N. Y. with her parents when quite 
young. After their marriage, Mr. Sutphen's parents continued to reside in Cherry 
Valley until the breaking-out of the war of 1812; his father was called upon to 
help defend his country, and joining the army, fell at the battle of Lundy's Lane; 
his family consisted of five children - Julia Ann, Mary Ann, Charles H., Sarah and 
Jane, of whom the subject of this sketch is the only one now living. After his 
father's death, Charles H., then 8 years of age, was sent to live with his 
grandfather, HIGINBOTHAM, in Cazenovia, Madison Co., N. Y., and remained two 
years, attending school a portion of the time; he afterward lived three years 
with one James CAGWIN in the same county; his mother then marrying Thomas 
SOUTHWORTH, of Sherburne, Chenango Co., N. Y., he lived on the farm with them 
until the age of 21, with the exception of one year spent in attending an academy; 
his health being impaired, he, on the advice of a physician, went to Boston, and 
took a voyage on a cod-fishing vessel up the Straits; returning with his health 
somewhat improved, he shipped as Captain's clerk with Capt. Law on board the ship 
Concordia in the merchant service, making one voyage, and on his return to Boston, 
Capt. Law obtained him a situation in the Custoin-house as messenger to the 
Surveyor of Customs - Elbridge Gerry, son of the late Elbridge GERRY, Governor of 
Massachusetts and late Vice President of the United States; in this office he 
remained two years, spending his evenings in the acquisition of useful knowledge.
Mr.Gerry then secured him a situation in the Pay Department of the U. S. Army, 
where he remained eight years, or until Sept. 1, 1834.  He was married in 1831 to 
Elizabeth H. DOW, of Boston, and, in April, 1834, came to Illinois and selected a 
claim at the head of Indian Creek (timber), in La Salle Co.; on a portion of his 
claim now stands the village of Earlville; be returned for his family in May; left 
the army office Sept. 1, and started for Illinois, arriving safety with his family 
in his new home in October, 1834; he built a double log house on the site of the 
present village of Earlville and went to farming; in 1835, the land came into 
market, and, in 1839, he purchased 1,000 acres, and occupied it as a stock farm 
for over twenty years in 1853, he built a large brick house near where the log one 
stood; he was one of the first Justices of the Peace in Indian Precinct, Earl Twp., 
and held the office continuously for fifteen years, when he resigned; he was also 
Postmaster of Earlville for seven years; be held many other prominent offices, 
including that of Supervisor from that town. He had a family of six sons and three 
daughters. Charles T. SUTPHEN was the first white male child born in the township; 
he and Albert are in California; George is in Aurora, Ill., Frederick in Missouri, 
and Gilbert and William are in Iowa. Sarah married S. Cook, of Earl, now deceased. 
Carrie T. was the first white female child born in the township, and married W. H. 
GRAHAM, of St. Louis. Mary married 0. S. GRAY, of Ottawa. They are now both 
deceased.  Mr. Sutphen's wife died April 6, 1870, and, in 1871, he removed to 
Joliet, where he still resides, and married the widow of the late H. D. HIGINBOTHAM.


Additional Comments:
HISTORY OF WILL COUNTY, ILLINOIS; Chicago: Wm LeBaron Jr & Co, 186 Dearborn Street, 1878.