County Origins
How Sutton County got its name and county seat
The Texas legislature created Sutton County in 1887 from part of Crockett County, and Sonora won the county seat competition in 1890.
The Texas legislature established Sutton County in 1887, carving it out of eastern Crockett County. The county was named after John S. Sutton, a Confederate officer. The county covers about 1,455 square miles on the Edwards Plateau in West Texas, roughly 135 miles northwest of San Antonio.
Two communities competed to become the county seat. Merchant Charles G. Adams founded a town he called Sonora and offered free lots to attract settlers. In 1890, Sonora was chosen as the county seat. The courthouse was completed in 1893. Sonora remains the only incorporated city in Sutton County today.
Source to confirm: Handbook of Texas – Sutton County