SUTHERLY FAMILY SERIES

POST #6:

While Wes and Kate Sutherly were neither born in Elizabeth Township, they loved their community. They served actively as members of Cove Spring Church and on a committee of concerned township citizens that in 1993 opposed the potential expansion of Interstate 675 through the township. This committee’s work laid the foundation for the entire township to be placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1997 as Ohio’s first rural historic district.

Their grandson, Ben, became involved with the work and put his skills as a journalist to work when he wrote the book, A History of Elizabeth Township, Miami County Ohio, with Carol Mumford. That book has had its second printing and is still in popular demand today.

Wes and Kate Sutherly met as newcomers to Elizabeth Township, but they quickly made it their home. They instilled an understanding in their children and grandchildren that hard work, good sense and determination will bring success. They also put a very strong emphasis on the importance of family. That formula combined for quite a lasting legacy.

ETHS extends a huge thank you to the Sutherly family for helping us tell their story. Special thanks to Ben Sutherly who allowed us to use excerpts of the article he wrote about the Sutherly/Miller Families for the Elizabeth Township Historical Society Newsletter (published in August of 2021).