PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.
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CALEB TUTTLE. The
records of Clark County include few, if any, lives of which a greater number of years were spent within its
borders, than that of the late Caleb Tuttle.
He
was born near Clarksburg, Va., May 14, 1799, and accompanied his parents to this
State in the fall of 1806. The
journey was performed by wagons, the stock being driven, and the caravan in
which they journeyed included several families.
The couple settled in the eastern part of Moorefield Township, where he
of whom we write grew to manhood. So
much has been written regarding life on the frontier that it is easy for us to
picture the surroundings of his early life, and understand what toils he endured
as a member of a pioneer family.
In the school of hardship, sterling qualities of character
are strengthened, and a vigorous manhood developed, which cannot fail to have an
influence over the associates and also master material things. It is true in the
case of our subject, who developed a character which gained the respect of those
who knew him, and who so successfully prosecuted the avocation which he chose,
that he became possessed of a large amount of property,
After his marriage he located on a small tract of land in Springfield
Township, occupying a corner by the Sinking Creek Church.
He gradually added to his real estate until he owned about one thousand
acres of fine land, in the meantime surrounding his family with more and more of
comfort as his means increased. About
1848 he erected a substantial brick house, which stands as firmly today as when
first built. He reared a large
family, giving to each of his children a farm as they reached manhood or
womanhood.
The companion whom Mr. Tuttle chose to accompany
him in the journey of life was Mary Prickett, who was born in Clermont County,
December 22, 1803. She was a
daughter of Nicholas and Catherine (Knapper) Prickett, who came thence from
Pennsylvania at an early date, and afterward removed to Lagonda, Clark County.
To Mr. and Mrs. Tuttle eleven children were born. of whom we note the
following Catherine became the wife of Herbert Bird; Eliza J., now
deceased, was the wife of John Manahan; Margaret married Silas V. Bird;
Elizabeth is the wife of Joseph Wallingsford; Rachel is the wife of Jacob L. McClelland;
Sylvanus died in childhood; Isaiah was the next in order of birth; David died
when seventeen years old; Thomas and William H. are now deceased; Laura M. now
owns and occupies the old home.
Mr. Tuttle departed this life December, 14,
1881, and his wife preceded him to the silent tomb, having breathed her last May
28, 1876. They were Baptists in
their religious faith, and conscientiously endeavored to make their practice
correspond with their belief. When
first entitled to the right of suffrage Mr. Tuttle identified himself with the
Whig element, afterward becoming a thorough Republican when the old party gave place to the new. He
gave liberally of his means to aid in the prosecution of the war, firmly believing
in the justice of the Union cause.
Miss Laura Tuttle now owns one hundred and
sixty-three acres of the homestead, including the residence where her parents
spent so many years, and around which memories of her own life cluster. She has
so managed the property left her by her father that she has added another farm
to her possessions. She is a lady of intelligence, highly esteemed by those who
know her, is a warm and devoted member of the Baptist Church, and one whose life
is filled with good deeds.
The parents of our subject were Sylvanus and Mary (Brown) Tuttle, who removed from New Jersey to Virginia during the last decade of the eighteenth century. The father was a son of Thomas Tuttle, and was of English origin. They were members of the Baptist Church, active in all its work, and their house was the home of ministers whenever hospitality was needed, or would in any way advance the cause of Christianity. At the home which they made in this county after coming hither with a colony, they lived to an advanced age. Mr. Tuttle breathed his last at the age of eighty-two years, and Mrs. Tuttle when she was eighty-five. Several of their sons took part in the War of 1812. Their second child, Thomas, died while they were on their way from their Virginia home to this county. The other members of the family were Thaddeus, John, Caleb, Zebedee, David, Eunice, Mehitable and Dorcas.
24 Jan 2000