My Genealogy Hound

R. J. TUTTLE, an enterprising general agriculturist and able citizen of Pipestone Township, Berrien County, Mich., was born February 2, 1828, in Portage County, Ohio. The paternal grandfather, Moses Tuttle, born in Connecticut April 8, 1763, was married in the State of his nativity and later removed with his family to Ohio, in 1807 settling on a farm in Portage County. The father of our subject, La Fayette Tuttle, was born in the old Connecticut home and accompanied his parents to Ohio, where the grandfather kept a public-house and was numbered among the pioneers of the Western Reserve. A man of energy, he was a brickmaker and wagon manufacturer, and brewed, distilled, and conducted farming. Surrounded by the Indians, he would frequently take his gun and Bible as companions as he watched his crops. He and his good wife Abigail became the parents of seventeen children. Of the large family of sisters and brothers two sons yet survive; Dr. C. R. Tuttle, residing in Chicago, a practicing physician; and Isaac, a citizen of Portage County, Ohio. The grandfather, a man of patriotism and courage, actively participated in the War of the Revolution.

The mother of our subject, Rebecca (White) Tuttle, was a native of Pennsylvania, and was born near Pittsburgh March 12, 1798. She was a daughter of John White, a man of sterling integrity of character. The maternal grandparents were married in Pennsylvania, but afterward removed to Ohio, from that time their permanent home. Grandfather White died October 24, 1848; his wife survived until April 15, 1857. The following children blessed their home: Alvah, born in 1821; Melinda, in 1823; our subject and twin brother, Riley J., born in 1828; Philena, in 1830; Marcus, in 1837; and Elijah, in 1840. The maternal grandparents were devout members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and were beloved by all who knew them. Reared on his father’s farm, our subject attended the district school and also enjoyed the benefit of instruction in an academy. He remained at home while his father lived, and was appointed administrator of the estate, consisting of a farm of three hundred acres, a saw and grist mill combined, and a blacksmith shop for edged tools. The sale lasted three days, and Mr. Tuttle satisfactorily settled the family affairs with the Probate Judge. Nine lengths of foolscap paper were used in the necessary enumeration of property and in legal phrases.

Soon after our subject had attained his majority he was elected Constable, and for some years was an auctioneer, and also carried on the old Ohio homestead. He taught nine terms of winter school and was ever busy, industrious and enterprising. November 12, 1850, Mr. Tuttle was united in marriage with Miss Susan M. Hull, a daughter of Gilbert and Abigail (Harris) Hull. Mr. Hull was born in Chester Township, Windham County, Conn., October 24, 1794. The mother, also a native of Connecticut, was born in Smithfield Township, Rhoda County, November 9, 1800. They were married in New York May 31, 1819. Mr. and Mrs. Hull were pioneers of Portage County, Ohio, where they passed away, the father in 1880, and the mother March 25, 1892. They were the parents of ten children, three of whom survive: Mary, Edwin and Susan M. Father and Mother Hull were members of the Methodist Episcopal Church and, together with the parents of our subject, were among the organizers of the first Methodist Episcopal Church of Portage County, Ohio. The Hull family were natural musicians, and the father was a chorister in the church. He was a brave man and a soldier in the War of 1812, and was a pensioner at the time of his death. Mrs. Tuttle was born September 7, 1829, in the old Portage County home.

For some time after their marriage our subject and his estimable wife resided in Ohio, but in 1854 they journeyed to Michigan and located in Ionia County, upon a new farm six miles south of Ionia. In the fall of 1855 they returned to Ohio, but three years later, in the fall of 1858, came to this county and, purchasing their present farm, settled upon it January 14, 1859. The eighty acres were partially cleared and now are all under fine cultivation. Mr. Tuttle built a pleasant residence and added other needed improvements, planting out an orchard of a choice variety of fruit. He does mixed farming and profitably handles grain and stock. For a number of years our subject took out a license as an auctioneer in Michigan, and in making returns to the Revenue Collector was told that he had sold more than twice as many goods as any other man in the business. He also taught two terms of school.

Six of the ten children born unto Mr. and Mrs. Tuttle are now living. Emma A., born March 6, 1852, the wife of Russell J. Ridenour, has one child and lives in Berrien County; Mary G. M., born April 6, 1854, wife of F. J. Ward, is the mother of three children and resides in Berrien Springs; Lafayette, born March 28, 1860, married Alice Jenkins and is a citizen of Berrien County and the father of three children; Simpson G., born February 7, 1862, married Ida Shoudy and makes his home in Pipestone Township; Linneus F., born June 7, 1863, married Isella Hogue and lives in Oronoko Township; Myrtie M., born July 4, 1872, is the wife of Frederick Franz and resides in Pipestone Township. The family attend the Wesleyan Methodist Church, and Mr. Tuttle is especially active in the work of that religious denomination. He was Superintendent of the first Sunday-school organized at Eau Claire, Mich., and, aside from being Superintendent, has been a teacher, clerk and Treasurer in the Sunday-school. He was also a Class-Leader in the church. Our subject is opposed to secret organizations and never belonged to any. He was Director of the school district when the first brick schoolhouse was built in the county, and has been active in educational matters ever since his residence in the Stale. He gave his children a good education, and his eldest daughter taught school for a number of terms.

For many years our subject affiliated with the Democrats, but is now a Prohibitionist, and, an active worker, is often a delegate of the latter party to conventions. Mr. Tuttle has with efficiency discharged the duties of Constable of his native township, and was one of the valued Supervisors of Pipestone Township in 1859 and 1860. Elected Justice of the Peace, he served with ability for a time and then resigned the office. Recognized as a man of executive ability, our subject was Chairman of every meeting but one held to aid the railroad through the township, and has always been foremost in progressive movements of the locality. He has been a stanch advocate of the Prohibition party ever since the third vote was cast for it in the county, and, a citizen of decided views and sterling integrity, is widely known for his upright character and earnest purpose.