Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1864-04-20

boy OF character-lt showed q germ
which if properly matured, would deVel
ope into a man of earnest purpose, sell
reliant, and fully prepared to meet any
conflict upon the battle-fields of life.-
Frequcu scenes of this kind were in ths
pathway of the pioneer boys of this re
giou. 1t taught powers of endurance
self-rellance and trustworthiness anC
when coupled with large intellect, as il
Mr. Sutliff-s case, fully prepared them fol
leading part in the drama of life.
The advantages of education were lin
tied in the wilderness in the boyhood
days of Mr.. Sutliff. His early education
was therefore meager, but being of strong
mind and early taught to rely upon him
self, he was able TO remedy the defect
measurably, by perseTerin4epplieation tC
books through long course of self-im
pFoYement. In later years of his life he
appeared to be man of fair culture and
extensive reading. He also knew men
and things well, having studied them
thoroughly.
He turned his attention to the law in
middle life. He was frequently called up
on to assist his neighbors in their difficult
ties before magistrates courts. After a
time, and in the year 1910, he was admit
ted To practice in all the Courts of the
State In 1850 he removed to Warren
and formed partnership with Judge
Birchard, with whom he practiced for two
or three years, but his own private busi-
ness and his large and growing landed
and other property required so much of
his time that il compelled his retirement
from the active duties of the profession,
although he still rendered assistance to
his friends when called upon.
Mr.. Suthf was one of the earliest Anti
Slavery men of the County. In 1882 he
became convert to the then Anti-Slavery
sentiments Of Garrison as proclaimed in
his Liberator, and from that time forward
to his death he has been CONSTANT An
ti-Slavery man. lie made it the religion
of his life so to speak. He contributed
largely of his means to promote the in
terests of the cause, and always was ready
to speak true and strong word to ad-
vance anti-slavery sentiments among the
people. In 1888 he furnished most of the
means to support his brother Milton in a
lecturing tour of the Reserve to dissem-
mate anti-slavery ideas This was one of
the first attempts to present the cause of
the slave in this community. Judge Sut-
lift had but lately before that graduated
at the Western Reserve College, and twas
about the time of the breaking up of the
Faculty of that Institution by reason of
RntislaYery entering into the College
as an element of discussion. President
Storrs. Elizur Wright, Tutor, and perhaps
some of the Professors, tthe names do not
now occur to me, were compelled to re-
tire because of their anti-slavery senti-
ments. About this time he went as a
delegate to an anti-slavery Convention,
at Philadelphia, where he assisted to
form the first National Anti Slavery So
ciety.
The slave always found in Mr.. Sutliff a
true and steadfast friend. Many a wan
dering fugitive has had cause to breathe
blessings upon him in his fight to Canada
and Liberty.
He assisted too in the formation of the
first Anti-Slayery Society in Trumbull
County. This was as early as 1882 or 1888.
He also assisted to form the Liberty par
" in 1910, and in that year voted for
James G. Birney for President in prefer
snce to Gen. Harrison OF Martin Van
Buren. Through all the early struggles
,f the Liberty party for political exist
which were severe, with a
rugged and steep ascent, standing
Is it did between two great parties with no
IDEAS except to get and keep Office and
distribute spoils-a position very similar to
he cruci6xion-he was one of its fore
nosta and most Jealous supporters and con-
itant friends. His faithfulness to this
mall, insignificant party, because of the
dea it represented, was very beautiful
nay it was sublime. Neither the SCOTS,
he frowns, nor the scorn, the threats or
lbuse of the leaders of the other parties,
,ould move him from his purpose; it was
he same principle of which we have so
iignal illustration in the boy in watching,
without blsnching over the bag in the
woods, with the scream of the wild cat,
md the distant howl OF the wolf constant
y sounding in his ears, which caused him
70 be faithful to this idea. He has been
yloriously rewarded too for that faithful
ness, and has lived to see complete tri-
lmph of that idea, in becoming the main
ipring and central idea of all parties, and
Utmost lived long enough to see slavery
wiped out, and the stain removed from
luT OlutTWl>c idlF e.CulCucOu-
He was co-laborer in this early anti
tayeIy work with Judge King. EphrAim
Brown. Deacon Smith, and host of 9th
II good and true men, some of whom have
zone to their reward, while others of them
ire permitted to abide with us yet awhile
all of whom were among the builders
up of that party and laboring to make anti
Ilsvery ruling element in our politics.
In 1898 the labors of the brothers Mil
,On. Levi and Calvin G. Sutliff, in Trum-
pull County, secured the nomination of
Hon. J. R. Giddings on anti-slaVery
which was one of the greatest
political events in the history of the anti
slavery warfare
Mr.. Sutliff was twice married. His first
wife was Miss Mary Plumb, of Vernon,
10 whom he was married on the 18th
day of September, 1884. This marriage
was of short duration-Mrs. Sutliff dying
in about Is months after the marriage
No children survived the first Mrs. Sut-
lift.
Mr.. Sutliff married for his second wife
Phebe L. Marvin, of Bazetta, on the lst
day of October, 1910. Mrs. Sutliff has
been to him a tender and affectionate
wife, and now survives him to mourn as
the wife only can, the loss of husband
whom she loves. The fruit of this mar
riage has been eight children-fVe of
whom survive to mourn the loss of faith
er. The two oldest sons and the young
est, died young.
Mr.. Sutliff was a good citizen. kind
and obliging neighbor, true friend, a
tender and loving husband, and an indul-
gent father He was particularly tender
and affectionate in his relations with his
family. He was full of quaint humor,
and, in his intercourse in society was So
ciable, pleasant and agreeable. While he
will be missed in society as neighbor,
friend, and citizen, it will be in the home
circle, where his loss will be more severe
ly felt. There his lossiwill be irreparable.
On his death being known the Trunl-
bull County Bar assembled to. take such
measures as the occasion demanded; and
q series of resolutions were passed ex-
pressive of the feelings of the members
e IL d. q