The subject of this sketch was born in Union, Montgomery County, Ind., August 3, 1849, and is the son of Jacob and Lydia (Clark) Hutton, the former of whom still resides on his farm in Montgomery County. John Hutton is the eldest in the family of seven children, four of whom are living. He was reared on the farm until reaching his eighteenth year, receiving a common school education. He was intelligent and ambitious, and therefore entered Wabash College, where he was a student for three years. Some of the pleasant test memories of his life cluster around the days spent within those walls, but on account of failing health he was obliged to give up his plans in regard to there completing his education.

When the health of Mr. Hutton had become re-established he entered the dry-goods store of C.M. Crawford, where he remained for a period of thirteen years. From August, 1883, until August, 1887, he served faithfully as Deputy Sheriff under the administration of Alexander Hunter. The year 1888 was spent in Lower California, where he traveled for the Gulf Gold-Mining Company, in whose employ he was. After his return from the far West, he became identified with the dry-goods house of D.W. Rountree, where he remained until he was elected in November, 1890, to his present office on the Democratic ticket. His opponent was A.F. Ramsey, our subject being elected by a majority of three hundred and sixty votes. He assumed the duties of the office September 1, 1891. Mr. Hutton has been one of the party organizers in this locality for some time, and has always been active in Local affairs.