Colonel Sutherland is a son and grandson of British soldiers from the highlands of Scotland. His grandfather, William Howatt, was born in Scotland and became a member of the Forty-second Highlanders, known as the Black Watch. His father, William Sutherland, was a member of the Ninety-third Highlanders and was stationed at Quebec, Canada. He married Miss Eliza Howatt, a native of Scotland, and their son, Colonel William Sutherland, was born in the barracks at Quebec, on the 25th of April, 1848. His father died in Toronto, Canada, in the forty-second year of his age, his wife surviving, however, until she attained an advanced age, while both the paternal grandparents were ninety-six years of age at the time of their death. Five children were born to the parents of Colonel Sutherland, of whom four are now living, but he is the only one who resides in Nevada.

Colonel Sutherland was reared to manhood in Toronto, Canada, pursued his education in its public schools, and began to make his own way in the world when but a boy, since which time all that he has possessed and enjoyed has been acquired through his own efforts. When fifteen years of age he entered the office of W. C. Chewett & Company, a large book printing firm of Toronto, with whom he learned his trade, after which he came to the United States in 1866, working at his chosen calling in Chicago for a year, and then removing to Galesburg, Illinois, where he continued in the same field of labor for eight years. Suffering from lung trouble, he was then advised to take up his residence in the mountain regions for the benefit of his health, and accordingly came to Virginia City, where in course of time his health has been completely restored. When the great fire of the 26th of October, 1875, swept over the city, it entirely destroyed his household effects. He did not have a very great capital to invest on coming to the west, but it was his all, and thus his loss proved a severe disaster. In December, 1877, he formed a copartnership with George Daley in the job printing business, and gradually the patronage increased until he succeeded in building up a very large and profitable business, which extends throughout the state. In 1880 he purchased his partner's interest and now has a nice and well appointed office, supplied with the latest improved presses, machinery and other equipments for turning out fine work, and no more artistic work can be shown in Nevada than that which comes from his office. He was not only well prepared when he entered upon his chosen field of labor, but has kept in touch with the progress which has been such a pronounced feature of the printing business, and is today one of the leaders in his line in this portion of the west. He does the fine work for the Masonic and Odd Fellows lodges of the state, and his work is fully as artistic as can be found anywhere in the country. His patronage comes from all parts of Nevada, and has long since reached profitable proportions.

In 1867 occurred the marriage of Colonel Sutherland and Miss Ann Sanderson Walker, a native of Hull, England. They have one son. J. Harry who was born in Galesburg, Illinois. Mrs. Sutherland is a valued rnember of the Episcopal church.

The Colonel was made a Mason in 1871, in Vesper Lodge No. 584 F & A. M., in Galesburg, Illinois, and received the Royal Arch degrees in 1873 in Galesburg Chapter No. 42. R. A. M. He continues his membership in his old lodge, but dimitted from the chapter in 1876 and joined Virginia Chapter No. 2, Virginia City, Nevada. He has filled every office in this chapter, and is still one of its office-holders and active working members. He has also filled every office in the grand chapter of the state, and has the honor of being a past high priest of the grand chapter of the state of Nevada. He became a member of De Witt Clinton Commandery No. 1, K. T., in 1883, had filled several of its offices, and was eminent commander from 1900 to 1903. He also belongs to the Mystic Shrine, his membership being in Islam Temple of San Francisco, California.

He is likewise a valued representative of the Odd Fellows' society, having joined Mount Davidson Lodge No. 3, while in 1886 he took the degrees of the Encampment, and is a past noble grand of his lodge, which is now consolidated with Virginia Lodge No. 1, of Virginia City. He is a past chief patriarch of Pioneer Encampment No. 1, was elected grand secretary of the grand lodge and grand scribe of the grand encampment at the annual session in 1898, and is now serving for the sixth term. He is also a member of Colfax Rebekah Lodge No. 1. It is but natural that Colonel Sutherland, in view of his ancestral history, should have a deep interest in military affairs. He has long been a member of the state militia, was major of the First Nevada Regiment of the National Guard for three years, and lieutenant colonel for five years. He is also a past honored chieftain of the Caledonia Club, a Scottish society of Virginia City. During the years of his residence in this state he has therefore won social as well as business prominence, and is a most popular an highly honored citizen.

Source:
A History of the State of Nevada: Its Resources and People
By Thomas Wren, Lewis Publishing Company
Published by The Lewis publishing company, 1904