Charles Sutter
Encyclopedia
Charles William Sutter was a politician in Alberta
, Canada
and a municipal councillor in Edmonton
.
. As a child, his family moved to Perth County
where his father died in 1867. Sutter worked on the family's farm for three years, and then was apprenticed as a tailor in Toronto for another four. In 1875 he moved to Winnipeg
to work for the city's leading merchants, Higgins & Young.
In 1879, Sutter set out by foot for Edmonton with James Ross
, one horse, and a Red River ox cart
, arriving 76 days later.He became a partner in John Sinclair & Co. in the dry goods and grocery business until it dissolved in 1885. Sutter returned to Winnipeg and worked as a tailor for four years before returning again to Edmonton in 1891 to continue this work.
In 1885, he married Mary Stewart (sometimes spelled Stuart). They had two children.
He ran for Edmonton Town Council in 1894
, finishing fifth of nine candidates in the race for alderman; he was one of six candidates elected. He was defeated in his bid for re-election in 1895
, but did return to office in 1896
, finishing fifth of eight candidates. He did not seek election at the conclusion of this term, and did not re-enter political life.
In 1896 he was appointed immigration agent, a position he filled in Edmonton for 12 years before being transferred to the United States
where he remained until just before his death. Sutter was the President of the Old Timers' Club of Edmonton, organized Edmonton's first group of Masons
, and was active with groups including the Order of Oddfellows
, the United Workmen, and the Knights of Pythias
.
Alberta
Alberta is a province of Canada. It had an estimated population of 3.7 million in 2010 making it the most populous of Canada's three prairie provinces...
, Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
and a municipal councillor in Edmonton
Edmonton
Edmonton is the capital of the Canadian province of Alberta and is the province's second-largest city. Edmonton is located on the North Saskatchewan River and is the centre of the Edmonton Capital Region, which is surrounded by the central region of the province.The city and its census...
.
Biography
Sutter was born in TorontoToronto
Toronto is the provincial capital of Ontario and the largest city in Canada. It is located in Southern Ontario on the northwestern shore of Lake Ontario. A relatively modern city, Toronto's history dates back to the late-18th century, when its land was first purchased by the British monarchy from...
. As a child, his family moved to Perth County
Perth County, Ontario
Perth County is a census division of the Canadian province of Ontario. The county seat is Stratford and is located in Southwestern Ontario, west of Toronto. It encompasses , 90% of which is classified as prime agricultural land...
where his father died in 1867. Sutter worked on the family's farm for three years, and then was apprenticed as a tailor in Toronto for another four. In 1875 he moved to Winnipeg
Winnipeg
Winnipeg is the capital and largest city of Manitoba, Canada, and is the primary municipality of the Winnipeg Capital Region, with more than half of Manitoba's population. It is located near the longitudinal centre of North America, at the confluence of the Red and Assiniboine Rivers .The name...
to work for the city's leading merchants, Higgins & Young.
In 1879, Sutter set out by foot for Edmonton with James Ross
James Ross (Alberta politician)
James Ross was a politician in Alberta, Canada and a municipal councillor in Edmonton.-Biography:Ross was born August 14, 1851 in Toronto. He received his apprenticeship in tinsmithing and worked as a journeyman. He moved to Edmonton in 1878 and established a tinshop in 1882...
, one horse, and a Red River ox cart
Red River ox cart
The Red River cart was a large two-wheeled cart made entirely of non-metallic materials. Often drawn by oxen, though also by horses or mules, these carts were used throughout most of the 19th century in the fur trade and in westward expansion in Canada and the United States, in the area of the Red...
, arriving 76 days later.He became a partner in John Sinclair & Co. in the dry goods and grocery business until it dissolved in 1885. Sutter returned to Winnipeg and worked as a tailor for four years before returning again to Edmonton in 1891 to continue this work.
In 1885, he married Mary Stewart (sometimes spelled Stuart). They had two children.
He ran for Edmonton Town Council in 1894
Edmonton municipal election, 1894
The 1894 Edmonton municipal election was held January 2, 1894 to elect the town council, consisting of a mayor and six aldermen, each elected for a one year term).-Mayor:-Aldermen:-References:*...
, finishing fifth of nine candidates in the race for alderman; he was one of six candidates elected. He was defeated in his bid for re-election in 1895
Edmonton municipal election, 1895
The 1895 municipal election was held January 14, 1895 to elect the town council and four trustees for each of the public and separate school divisions...
, but did return to office in 1896
Edmonton municipal election, January 1896
The first of two 1896 municipal elections was held January 13, 1896 to elect the town council , five trustees for the public school division and four trustees for the separate school division....
, finishing fifth of eight candidates. He did not seek election at the conclusion of this term, and did not re-enter political life.
In 1896 he was appointed immigration agent, a position he filled in Edmonton for 12 years before being transferred to the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
where he remained until just before his death. Sutter was the President of the Old Timers' Club of Edmonton, organized Edmonton's first group of Masons
Freemasonry
Freemasonry is a fraternal organisation that arose from obscure origins in the late 16th to early 17th century. Freemasonry now exists in various forms all over the world, with a membership estimated at around six million, including approximately 150,000 under the jurisdictions of the Grand Lodge...
, and was active with groups including the Order of Oddfellows
Oddfellows
The name Oddfellows refers to a number of friendly societies and fraternal organisations operating in the United Kingdom. It also refers to a number of Lodges with histories dating back to the 18th century. These various organisations were set up to protect and care for their members and...
, the United Workmen, and the Knights of Pythias
Knights of Pythias
The Knights of Pythias is a fraternal organization and secret society founded at Washington, DC, on 19 February 1864.The Knights of Pythias was the first fraternal organization to receive a charter under an act of the United States Congress. It was founded by Justus H. Rathbone, who had been...
.