Wayne County Biographies



Part of the Indiana Biographies Project



Noah H. Hutton

Noah H. Hutton, the manager of the Central Union Telephone Company, ranks to-day among the most successful and leading business men of Richmond. He is a native of this city, almost his entire life has here been passed, and his advancment has been along the lines of the city's growth, due to progressive, resolute purpose and laudable ambition.

He was born August 29, 1844, and is a son of John H. and Anna (Evans) Hutton. He acquired his education in private schools, and putting aside his text-books at the age of seventeen years entered upon his business career as an employe of Gaar, Scott & Company, learning the machinist's trade. He remained there for a year, but in the meantime the country had become involved in civil war and he could not content himself at the foundry while the nation needed the support of all her loyal sons. Accordingly he put aside all business and personal considerations, and joined the boys in blue of Company C, Eighth Indiana Infantry, in 1862.

In 1864 Mr. Hutton returned to the north and accepted a clerkship in the postoffice department at Washington, D. C. , continuing in that service until the early part of 1866, when, on account of ill health, he was forced to resign. He was then for a time engaged in no business, and, when his health was partially restored, turned his attention to cotton-growing in the south, where he remained for a year. In 1867 he became associated with his father in the manufacture of woolen hosiery, which business they successfully carried on until the father's death, when the concern was closed out. Mr. Hutton was next employed as postal clerk in the United States mail service for nine years, or until President Cleveland's administration, when he resigned to accept the management of the Central Union Telephone Company, which position he has since acceptably filled. He is also representative of a number of fire-insurance companies, having been in this line of business for eight years as a member of the firm of Hutton & Dougan, by whom a large and profitable patronage is enjoyed. He has eighteen towns, besides Richmond, under his supervision as manager of the Central Union Telephone Company, and is justly regarded as one of the most progressive and enterprising business men of this city.

In 1879 was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Hutton and Miss Anna Wilcox, a daughter of Emmett W. and Martha Wilcox, of Richmond. They had two children, but lost one, Emmett being still at home. Mr. Hutton is a valued member of Sol. Meredith Post, No. 55, G. A. R., and formerly served as its commander. In politics he is a stalwart Republican and takes an active part in the party work, although not an office-seeker. He keeps well informed on the issues of the day, both political and otherwise, and at all times has manifested a commendable interest in everything pertaining to the welfare and advancement of the city of his nativity. He is a man of genial temperament and genuine worth, and is popular and respected in all circles.

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