Born in Lancaster Township, April 9, 1860. He was reared on the farm and given a common school education. He remained at the parental home until he was married in 1879. For the three years succeeding his marriage, Mr. Utterback was engaged in farming, and then for one year was in the lumber business at Delta, Iowa. He then removed to Martinsburg, where he was engaged in the same business for a very brief period. For several years thereafter, he followed agricultural pursuits together with stock raising and dealing, in Steady Run Township. He left the farm in 1892, and removed to the town of Hedrick. In company with others he became interested in the Hedrick race course, of which he later became sole proprietor. Under his ownership and management this race course became famous and yielded him good revenue, contributing at the same time materially to the up-building of Hedrick, which also became well advertised by reason of the excellent and well attended races. This business interest he sold after conducting it alone for four years. In 1902, in association with others, he was an organizer of the Hedrick State Bank, of which he has been president since its organization. Politically he has always affiliated with the Democratic Party, and as the Democratic candidate, he was elected in 1901 to the lower house of the Iowa legislature as representative from the Twenty-fourth district. He also served one term as a member of the county board of supervisors.