Wayne County Biographies



Part of the Indiana Biographies Project



John H. Hutton

In the death of John H. Hutton, in 1878, Richmond and Indiana lost one of their most prominent and highly respected citizens. As the day, with its morning of hope and promise, its noontide of activity, its evening of completed and successful efforts, ending in the grateful rest and quiet of the night, so was the life of this honored man. His career was a long, busy and useful one. He was the founder and promoter of many enterprises which advanced the material welfare of the state and added as well to his individual prosperity, but although an earnest business man, devoting his whole daily time and attention to the further development of his industrial interests, he never allowed the pursuit of wealth to warp his kindly nature, but preserved his faculties and the warmth of his heart for the broadening and helpful influences of human life, being to the end a kindly, genial friend and gentleman with whom it was a pleasure to meet and converse.

A native of Maryland, he left his home near New Market, that state, and came to Richmond at an early period in the history of this city. He was among the early settlers of the town, and at once became a potent factor in its substantial development and improvement. In 1836 Isaac Jones began the manufacture of stoves here, and three years later, in 1839, sold his foundry to John H. and Jesse M. Hutton, brothers, who enlarged and renovated the; establishment, and called it the Spring Foundry. In 1841 they constructed the first threshing machine ever made in Indiana, it being of the style known as the "chaff piler." They carried on a constantly increasing business until 1849, when they sold out to what is now Gaar, Scott & Company All the members of the Gaar family of the older generation worked for the Hutton Brothers, and eventually purchased the foundry, which has grown into one of the most extensive concerns in the world. For a number of years thereafter our subject and his brother engaged in conducting a general iron store, under the firm name of J. M. & J. H. Hutton.

Our subject was also one of the organizers of the Eaton & Hamilton Railroad Company, and was made its president. This company built the first railroad into Richmond, the line extending from Cincinnati to Eaton, and thence to Richmond. Its importance to the city cannot be overestimated, and Mr. Hutton deserved honorable recognition for what he did in that and in other directions toward promoting the welfare and progress of Wayne county. He was a man of resourceful business ability, of sound judgment and keen discrimination, and carried forward to successful completion whatever he undertook, brooking no obstacles that could be overcome by honorable effort. He was engaged in the nursery business, under the firm name of Railsbach & Hutton, for a number of years, but retired therefrom in 1865. Later he was associated with his son in the manufacture of woolen hosiery, carrying on that enterprise until his death. His excellent business and executive ability won him marked success, and, though the architect of his own fortunes, he builded wisely and well.

Mr. Hutton was thrice married. He wedded Margaret Malsby, and to them was born one child, Rebecca, now the wife of Walter Cole, of Hartford county, Maryland. The mother died, and Mr. Hutton afterward wedded Anna Evans, who died in 1853, and his third wife bore the maiden name of Sarah Evans. By the second marriage there were two children who grew to mature years: Albert R., who resides in Richmond, and is special agent for the Central Union Telephone Company; and Noah H., who is also a prominent business man of Richmond, and manager of the Centra! Union Telephone Company.

In his political adherency in early life Mr. Hutton was a Whig, and on the dissolution of that party he joined the ranks of the new Republican party, with which he affiliated until his death. He was very zealous in its support, believing earnestly in its principles, and on its ticket was again and again elected county commissioner, continuing in that office to the entire satisfaction and approbation of the public until he declined to serve longer. Through the long years of his residence in Richmond he was ever true to the trust reposed in him, whether of a public or private nature, and his reputation in business circles was unassailable. He commanded the respect of all by his upright life, and engraved his name indelibly on the pages of Wayne county's history.

Source:
Biographical and Genealogical History of Wayne, Fayette, Union and Franklin Counties, Indiana, Volume 1, The Lewis Publishing Company, Chicago, 1899