Jean Lenox and Harry O. Sutton, Songwriters

After stumbling across a funny anecdote involving Jean Lenox and Harry O. Sutton's visit to an "Old Ladies Home," I originally intended to share that one item, which sounded like something that could happen where my mom lives.

However, one thing led to another.  When I decided to see what else I might easily turn up about the song-writing team, I found other anecdotes.   A few contradictory newspaper items led me on a quest to determine Lenox's relationship to Sutton. 

How far should we trust the newspaper anecdotes?  To what extent might they have served as good public relations, perhaps to enhance the song-writing team's reputation?  Exactly who were Jean Lenox and Harry O. Sutton? What can we learn from newspapers and public records?  I'll admit to not finding clear-cut answers to some of my questions but will offer several reasons for the remaining mysteries.   Perhaps someone will have the curiosity and time to look for more.

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Biographical Backgrounds and Mysteries

Harry O. Sutton (1881-1911)

Harry Owen Sutton

Harry Owen Sutton was born August 19, 1881, the second child of Owen E. Sutton and Alice French Sutton.  On August 25, The [Naples] Neopolitan announced, "Owen E. Sutton is the happy possessor of boy No. 2."

Shortly before Harry's sixth birthday, a mishap nearly ended his life.  The July 20, 1887 Naples Record reported that he "fell into the water at the head of the mill flume near Crocker's factory. and but for the timely assistance of Mr. Crocker must have been drowned."

Sometime before the 1892 New York State Census,  Harry began living with his father's sister and her husband, Mary Louise Sutton Pierce and Frank G. Pierce, who ran a music business. Mary Louise was also the Presbyterian church organist for several years.

During a Presbyterian social at their home in early April, 1893, 11-year-old Harry gave what may have been his first public performance when he and his aunt entertained guests with their unspecified piano duet.

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