Hugh Ross Sutherland
H. R. Sutherland
died July 4, 1906
aged 84 years
He was a gallant
confederate officer, a
loving husband & father
and a true and loyal friend
May he rest in peace
footstone H. R. S.
Photo Credit: Rosa G. Gonzales
1. Ad from Corpus Christi Caller.
Source: Corpus Christi Caller, December 2, 1892
Research by: Msg. Michael A. Howell
2. Sketch of house built by Sutherland, 1892
Source: Corpus Christi Weekly Caller, December 2, 1892, p.6, col. 5-6
Research by: Msgr. Michael A. Howell
3. Corpus Christi History by Murphy Givens
Corpus Christi Caller-Times (June 27, 2001). Available on microfilm.
Martha Rabb's Magnolia Mansion appears in the last photo in this article. The home was built by Sutherland.
4. Research by Frank Wagner
SUTHERLAND, HUGH ROSS, b. 5 May, 1826, at Picto, Nova Scotia, d. 4 July 1906, at Corpus Christi. Sutherland came to the United States in 1841 and learned surveying in New York. He was a surveyor for the U. S. government, and participated in laying out Duluth, Wisconsin Territory (now Minnesota). He was working in the Mobile Bay region of Alabama in 1859, and enlisted in the Confederate Army in 1861 as the Civil War was beginning. He served in Wilcox's Brigade, Company A, 9th Alabama, and rose to be Captain of the Company. He moved to Corpus Christi in 1876, and became a partner with Daniel Reid in the grocery trade. For several years, he was chairman of the Democratic Party in Nueces County, a prominent member of the Confederate Veterans' organization, Masonic Lodge and other civic groups. His wife, Mary A. Sutherland wrote The Story of Corpus Christi (1916). Their son, Hugh R. Sutherland, became county judge of Nueces County.
References: Corpus Christi Caller, July 6, 1906; Corpus Christi Crony, July 7, 1906.
Research by: Frank Wagner
Transcription by: Rosa G. Gonzales
5. Obituaries
AT REST
H. R. Sutherland
Corpus Christi has lost another of its pioneers in the death of that grand old ex-Confederate soldier and aged citizen, H. R. Sutherland, who answered the last bugle blast as it sounded the final tattoo at 8 o'clock on Wednesday evening, July 4, and another soul joined its comrades on the eternal camping grounds-at the bivouac of the Gray's
sleeping heroes-
And the dead thus meet the dead,
While the living o'er them weep,
And the men by Lee and Stonewall led,
And the hearts that once together bled,
Together still shall sleep.
H. R. Sutherland was a native of Pieto, Nova Scotia, where he was born in May, 1826---80 years ago. At the young age of 15 years he emigrated to the United States. For many years he was employed as a surveyor of the U. S. government and assisted in laying off the town of Duluth, Wis. In 1859 he moved to Mobile, Ala., and at the outbreak of the civil war enlisted as a private in the confederate army, joining Wilcox's brigade of the Ninth Alabama. At the close of the war he was a captain of Co. A. of that regiment. In 1876 the subject of this sketch moved to Corpus Christi and for nearly 30 years was actively engaged in contracting, having returned from business only a few months ago. Many of Corpus Christi's most substantial buildings were constructed by Mr. Sutherland and his associates, he having been in partnership for many years with Mr. Dan Reid. Deceased took an active interest in politics, was a tried and true Democrat, formerly being chairman of the Nueces county Democratic executive committee. He also formerly held the office of commander of the local camp of Confederate Veterans and also past master of the Masonic lodge. Deceased had been in ill health for some time past, but death was somewhat unexpected. Besides his bereaved wife, he leaves a son, Hugh R. Sutherland, and two granddaughters to mourn his loss all of whom have the sympathies _____ took place this afternoon at __________ under the auspices of the Masonic lodge and was largely attended.
Source: Corpus Christi Weekly Caller, July 6, 1906, p. 5, col. 3
Research by: Msgr. Michael A. Howell
Transcription by: Geraldine D. McGloin, Nueces County Historical Commission
H. R. Sutherland died Wednesday evening at eight o'clock, July 4, 1906, at the age of eighty years. He was born in Picto, Nova Scotia, and thirty years ago located in this city, where he has been prominent as a capable contractor, from which business he retired several years ago to rest during his last years. His great pride and firm stand in Democratic party, together with the confidence he inspired in his fellow men, gave him positions of trust and honor in the ranks of that party. He was a confederate veteran and passed away on the anniversary of departure of his great favorite, Thomas Jefferson. To his faithful, sorrowing wife and son and two grand children, who called him "papa" THE SUN extends sincere sympathy.
Source: The Texas Sun, July 6, 1906, p. 4, col. 3
Research by: Msgr. Michael A. Howell
Transcription by: Geraldine D. McGloin, Nueces County Historical Commission