Lela Dora Sutton

Lela was born March 7, 1882 and was the only daughter of Roswell and Emma Jane.

She married Clarence Hansleman Oct 30, 1907.

Children of Lela and Clarence:
Russell Clarence 3 Oct 1908-1983
Helen Ruth 1 Aug 1911-Aug 2003
Thomas Morton 1922-17 Feb 2010 Served as Sheriff of Steuben County 1959-1966

Her home was next to her brother Delevan in Ostego Township according to 1920 Census.

Here are both Lela Dora Sutton Hanselman and her sister-in-law Cora L Swift Sutton

She died Nov 20, 1960 and is buried at Circle Hill Cemetery Angola Indiana

"History of Northeast Indiana, LaGrange, Steuben, Noble and DeKalb Counties" published in 1920. 
Volume II p. 134
  "CLARENCE HANSELMAN. A farm in Ostego Township that has been improved by two generations of the well-known Hanselman family is in section 5, comprising 140 acres, and now owned and cultivated by Clarence Hanselman. Mr. Hanselman is one of the most successful representatives of his family and has proved his worth both as a practical farmer and as a public-spirited citizen..
  He was born on the homestead where he still lives, October 19, 1875, a son of John Quincy and Margaret (Kankamp) Hanselman and a grandson of Aaron Hanselman.  A more detailed record of this family will be found on other pagers of this publications. Clarence Hanselman grew up on the home farm.. After acquiring a public school education he took up farming as his serious career, and in course of years acquired the old homestead of 140 acres. He has remodeled the barn, and installed many other improvements, including a furnace in his home. He is a breeder of pure bred Shorthorn cattle and also keeps the best grades of Duroc Jersey hogs. Politically Mr. Hanselman is a republican.
  October 30, 1907, he married Miss Lela Dora Sutton, member of an old and prominent family of Steuben County. She was born in Scott Township, March 7, 1882, a daughter of Roswell and Emma J. (Waller) Sutton. Her parents were both natives of Steuben County, her father born April 27, 1852, and her mother on January 1, 1859. Roswell Sutton was a son of Roswell & Nancy (McMinn) Sutton, both pioneers of Northeast Indiana. Roswell, Sr., was the first, or one of the first teachers in Steuben County. Emma J. (Waller) Sutton, who died March 3, 1912, was a daughter of Jacob and Rhoda (Trobridge) Waller, likewise pioneers of Steuben County. Mrs. Hanselman's father is still living in Scott Township. He had four children, named, Delevan, Robert, Lela Dora and Orville. Mr. and Mrs. Hanselman have a son and daughter, Russell Clarence, born October 3, 1908, and Helen Ruth, born August 1, 1911."

Robert Jacob Sutton

Born to Roswell and Emma Jane on  May 25, 1880.  He married Jennie M. Haley and they had the following children:

Pauline   1907-1907
Lucille     1908-1908
Janet       1910-1910
Jannette 1910-1910 Twin to Janet
Rober Wendell 1912-1912
all died within the year of their birth.
They had one more child and named her Hope.  She was born in 1914 and lived.  She married Burton Handy and I have found that they had a daughter.  Still researching Hope.  I believe she lived in Kansas and passed away there, possibly in 1950.

Robert was appointed mail carrier for rural route 3 in Angola in 1908.



He passed away December 17, 1950

Delevan Roswell Sutton

Delevan was the first child born to Roswell Sutton and Emma Jane Waller.  He was born 20 Mar 1877 in Steuben County Indiana.  He lived on the family farm in Scott Township.



He married Cora L. Swift on 18 Apr 1903.

Cora was born 26 Aug 1881 in Otsego, Steuben County, Indiana to David Kimble Swift and Anna Elizabeth Struble.   David served in the Civil War and was a member of the 129th Infantry.  He is listed on the monument in Angola.


To this union 12 Children were born:

Herschel Roswell 1904-1976
Josephine Vivian 1906-1998
Delevan Wayne 1907-1978
Marshall L.  1910-1974
Robert 1911-1964
Violet Elizabeth 1913-1985
Lyle Jay 1915-1987
Donald LaVon 1917-1984
LuReign 1920-1998
Leah Madeline 1924-1977
LaMar 1927-1994
Donna Marcelle 1922-1922


Delevan died 12 Aug 1935
Delevan and Cora are buried at South Scott Cemetery

Roswell Sutton (jr)

Roswell Sutton was born Apr 27, 1854 in Scott City, Steuben County, Indiana.  He is the last child of Roswell and Nancy McMinn.  He married Emma Jane Waller  Aug 27, 1876 at the age of 22.  They lived on the Waller Farm according to the 1880 census. They had 4 children:

Delevan Roswell 1877-1935
Robert Jacob 1880-1950
Lela Dora 1882-1960
Orville 1884-1932


A story told by Lela D. Sutton..." Another incident, when my father hired a young Frenchman to work for us, an after he had been with us for some time, he watched my father get ready for church.  As I remember, he (the Frenchman) sat opposite me,  as I sat in my little rocking chair. I watched him also as he primped in front of the mirror.  He finally made some complimentary remark about the his suit, then said he was going to a party the next evening, and asked if he could borrow the clothes.  He (Roswell) told him he could, so when the next evening rolled around, he donned the outfit and headed West. It was "Good-bye" suit and all.  This fellow's name was Henry Barjarow.

...I guess I have said plenty, but there is one thing more.  I would like to pay special tribute to my dear parents and my dear brothers, which is the most impartant and nearest to my heart. My father and mother were born in Scott Township, Steuben County, Indiana of English and Irish descent, very quiet folks; and as an old neighbor (Billie Burkett) said on time, "Those Suttons are the most independent folks I ever saw".  There was never much illness in our family, only temporary contagion, with the exception of an accident my parent suffered in a runaway as they were on their way to church.  The colt they were driving took fright at a coat hanging on a bridge, which was getting a fresh coat of paint.  My father had two ribs broken and my mother was laid up for a few days.

My mother took the place of nurse, doctor, and undertaker in the neighborhood when needed. My father likewise always befriended and was willing to lend a helping hand as a neighbor and friend.  While they never accumulated a lot of material wealth, I feel this means more to me than any thing else. Their home was known to all the vagrant train, and as I remember , no tramp was ever turned away.  Many changes have taken place since that day...."


Obit: Steuben Republic

Roswell Sutton son of Roswell Sutton and Nancy McMinn Sutton was the youngest of five children born in Scott Township, Steuben County, Indiana, April 27, 1854, died at the home of his daughter, Mrs Clarence Hanselman, January 10, 1930, aged 75 years, 8 months and 13 days.
His entire life was spent in Scott township except for the last few years which were spent at his home in Angola.
In 1877 he was married to Emma Jane Waller, who departed this life March 29, 1912. To this union four children were born, Delevan Sutton and Mrs Clarence Hanselman of Otsego township, Robert of Angola and Orvill of Jamestown township.  Besides the sorrowing children he leaves, three daughters in law and on son-in-law, twenty-two grandchildren together with a host of relatives and friends to mourn the loss of a loving father, obliging neighbor and a good citizen. He was a highly beloved citizen in the community in which he lived and was ever ready with a kind heart and a helping hand to aid those in need. It is with aching hearts we give him up but it was his will, not ours, and in the voice of the Savior we will say "Thy good and faithful now enter thy rest"

Emma Jane Waller Sutton

Emma E. Sutton

Born in July 1851 in Steuben County, Indiana Emma is the daughter of Roswell and Nancy McMinn.  In 1869 she married Elisha Merri(e)tt and they had 3 children.

Emma 1870-
Harley 1879-1964 m. Ida Luton and Alice Van Arsdale
Rose 1886-1980 m. Shirley Bowerman

Emma lived in Steuben her entire life and died in 1921, living 16 years after her husband died.  They are both buried at Flint Cemetery, Steuben County, Indiana

Sirenous Sutton

Sirenous was born on April 12, 1846 and is the second son of Roswell and Nancy.  He married Catherine Williams on May 30, 1871.  To this union 3 sons were born.

John R. 1871-
Frank 1874-1852
George 1878-1944

Sirenous dies Sept 19, 1918 and Catherine dies in 1926.

Thomas W. Sutton

Thomas was the second child and first son of Roswell and Nancy McMinn.  He was born Oct 15, 1844 in Scott Township, Steuben County, Indiana.  On July 3, 1864 he enlisted and joined in the Civil War.  He ranked in and out as a private in the 129th Indiana Infantry, Company I.

On Oct. 23, 1870 he married Frances I. Brode.  They had 4 children:

Clyde 1871-
Mayme 1877-1908
Allie 1879-
Charles 1880-1958 (Married Nettie V.)

Thomas died on 1 Nov 1889.


















Here he is listed on the Civil War, Steuben County Roll of Honor.  Along with his cousin Alfred.