Noah B. Gritten: Gritton Genealogy

1897 - 1898 (1 years)

Generation: 1

1.	Noah B. Gritten was born in 1897 in Vermilion County, Illinois (son of Laben Gritten and Ella Biggs); died in 1898 in Vermilion County, Illinois; was buried in Knights Branch Cemetery, Potomac, Vermilion County, Illinois. Notes: Buried: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/100544233/noah-b_-gritten

Generation: 2

Laben Gritten was born on 19 Jan 1832 in Kentucky (son of John R. Gritton and Nancy Atkinson); died on 28 Mar 1910 in Collison, Vermilion County, Illinois; was buried in Knights Branch Cemetery, Potomac, Vermilion County, Illinois.

Other Events:

Census: 1860, Pilot Township, Vermilion County, Illinois
Census: 1870, Pilot Township, Vermilion County, Illinois
Census: 1880, Pilot Township, Vermilion County, Illinois

Notes:

Portrait and biographical album of Vermilion County, Illinois. Chicago, Illinois, Chapman Brothers, 1889.
Page 231-232.
Laban Gritten is classed among the leading farmers and stock raisers of Pilot Township, he having contributed much towards making it a great agricultural center. His farm on section 22 is comparable with the finest and best in this section of Vermilion County, is so cultivated as to produce large harvests, and its buildings and all other appointments are first-class. Mr. Gritten has evolved this desirable farm from the wild prairies of Illinois, as they were many years ago, before they had been changed by cultivation, it having been government land when he purchased it more than thirty years ago, and situated in the midst of a sparsely populated, scarcely civilized country.
Mr. Gritten is a Kentuckian by birth, born in Mercer County, Jan. 19, 1832. His father, John R. Gritten, was born in the same county in 1807. He married Nancy Atkinson, who was born there in 1806, and they came to this county with their family in 1842, and located on a farm of 120 acres, pleasantly situated in Blount Township, where they have built up a comfortable home, and now, in life's decline are enjoying the hard-earned fruits of their united labor. Three of the children that have blessed their union are still living: Ann, residing in Danville Township, is the widow of Frank Watson, of Ohio, and has five children - William John, Nancy J., Margaret and Martha; Lloyd married Sarah Gritten, daughter of one of the first settles of the county, and they have four children - Wesley, Annie, Ella and Elisha; Laban is the subject of this sketch, and we write further on him.
We have seen that his parents brought him there in pioneer times, when he was a mere lad, and here they bred him to a life of usefulness, and fitted him for an honorable career, and to their careful training he doubtless owes much of his prosperity. He became many, self-reliant and a good worker, and in early manhood prudently invested his money in government land, proposing to make farming his life work, and purchased 320 acres of land at twenty-five cents an acre. He now has the land all under excellent cultivation, and has greatly increased its value by the many fine improvements that he has made, including substantial buildings, etc. He does a general farming business, has his farm well stocked with stock of high grades, from the sale of which he makes good profits, and he raises a good deal of grain and other farm produce, from which he derives an income amply sufficing to carry on his agricultural operations in good shape, and for all his personal wants.
Mr. Gritten has been twice married. His first wife was a Miss Sarah Potter, who was a English descent, and her father, an early settle of this part of Illinois, took part in the black Hawk War under General Taylor. Five children were born to our subject in that union, of whom one died; the others are Orsmus, Charles, Edward and Thomas. Orsmus, a carpenter in Danville, married Miss May Gritten; Charles, living with his father on the homestead, married Matilda Gritten, and they have seven children - Clarence, Arthur, Orsmus, Elzora, Oliver, Ross and Rock. Edward, a farmer in this, married Miss Bell Davis, of Ohio, and they have one child, Jesse B.; Thomas, a blacksmith at Bixby, married Martha Schank, and they have three children - Earl, Maude and Olive.
For his second wife Mr. Gritten married Miss Lydia Pile, a native o Breckenridge County, Ky., and of their eleven children the following five are living: Oracena, Alvina, Jacob, Eli and William.
William and Elizabeth Pile were the parents of Mrs. Gritten, the father a native of Virginia, the mother a native of Kentucky, and both are deceased.
Mr. Gritten may well be proud of his farm, whose increased value is due to his hard labor and excellent business capacity and management. He possesses sober judgment, keen discernment and a resolute nature that has overcome all obstacles in the path to success. In his political views he sides with the Democrats, and give his hearty approval to party measures.

Illinois Public Domain Land Tract Sales Database
Purchaser Information
Purchaser: GRITTON SABORN
Residence" VERMILION
Social Status:
Legal Description
Aliquot Parts or Lot: W2
Section Number: 22
Township: 21N
Range: 14W
Meridian: 2
County of Purchase: VERMILION
Details of Sale
Acres: 320.00
Price per Acre: .25
Total Price: 80.00
Type of Sale: FD
Date of Purchase: 11/24/1854
Volume: 238
Page: 109

Laban Gritton expects to commence work on his new hotel this week - at least, he said so.
Champaign County Gazette, Champaign, Illinois. Wednesday, 24 August 1861, page 4.

Paid $207 for Ten Pounds of Fish.
Special to the Indianapolis Journal.
Danville, July 25. - D.C. Crawford, Laban Gritton, Ezra Dickason and Nelson Mortenzer, wealthy farmers living in the northwest part of this county, were arrested to-day for seining. Their fines and costs amount to $207. They only caught ten pounds of fish.
The Indianapolis Journal, Indianapolis, Indiana. Saturday, 26 July 1890., page 3.

Laban Gritten, a farmer near Rankin, while driving a nail in a board, accidently drove the nail into the fleshy part of his hand. The wound became very swollen and resulted in lockjaw. The arm was amputated below the elbow Friday. It is thought he cannot recover.
The Champaign Daily Gazette, Champaign, Illinois. Monday, 20 December 1886., page 4.

Laben Gritten is hauling ice from the creek and filling his ice-house.
The Champaign Daily Gazette, Champaign, Illinois. Thursday, 5 January 1888, page 1.

Labe Gritten shipped a team of find heavy horse to Chicago this week.
The Champaign County News, Champaign, Illinois. Saturday, 14 March 1891, page 8.

Penfield
The other evening, when Labe Gritten went to his pasture south of town to drive home some cows, he saw two foxes in the pasture. Now Mr. Gritten is 82 years of age and only has one arm, yet he returned home and got a gun, went back to the pasture and killed both foxes.
The Champaign County News, Champaign, Illinois. Wednesday, 1 May 1901, page 5.

Laban J. Gritten is consigned to grave Funeral for well known farmer held at country home Wednesday Laban J. Gritten died at the home of his son, William Gritten, three miles northwest of Collison, Monday, March 28, at 6 o'clock a.m. Mr. Gritten was born in the state of Kentucky, January 19, 1831. He lived 75 years, 2 months, and 9 days. He came to Illinois with his parents, who settled in Blount township, Vermilion county, and he has been a resident of this county ever since. Mr. Gritten, when but a young man, moved to Pilot township and located in the northwest corner of the township, near No. 5 school house, where he entered a tract of land at 25 cents per acre from the government, and resided there until 1907. Since that time he has made his home with his children. Mr. Gritten has been married three times and has lost three wives by death. He is the father of 19 children, all of whom are dead but eight. Those who survive him are: Charles Gritten, Covington, Ind., Mrs. Dora Dingler, Rossville, Ill., Mrs. Dollie Elder, Danville, William Gritten, near Collison, Mrs. Remelia Grimes, Carlisle, Ind., George Gritten, Penfield, Laban Gritten, Penfield, Mrs. Clara Meyers, Chicago. There were born into these various families 40 grandchildren and 18 great-grandchildren of whom 38 grandchildren and all the great grandchildren survive him. He is survived also by one sister, Mrs. Anna Watson, who is 76 years of age, and lives in Blount township. Up to the last moments of his life he was perfectly conscious and in talking to the children said he was prepared to go at any time. About 22 years ago last January he lost his left arm, which was buried on the home place. It was his request that it be taken up and buried with his body, which was accordingly done. The children were all present at his death except Mrs. Grimes, who was prevented by sickness from coming to his bedside. The funeral services were held at the home of William Gritten on Wednesday morning, and were conducted by the Rev. C.F. Gaumer of Alvin, assisted by the Rev. R.C. Read, of Collison, the remains being laid to rest in the Knight's Branch cemetery.

Laban Gritton Is Dead At Collison
Had Long Been Resident of Vermilion County.
Collison, Ill., March 29. - Laban Gritton, who has been a continuous resident of this county since 1856, died at the home of his son, William Gritton, near Collison, yesterday, after a short illness of pneumonia. The deceased was 80 years of age and removed to his county with his parents in the year 1840, settling on a farm six miles north of Danville. The old Gritton farm near Buck's Grove was purchased by the deceased from the government in 1856, the price being 25 cents per acre. Mr. Gritton is survived by seven children as follows: Charles Gritton, Covington, Ind.; Mrs. David Elder, 729 South street, Danville; William, near Collison; George at Buck's Grove; Romilla Grimes, Sullivan, Ind.; Mrs. Dora Dingler, Rossville, and Labon Gritton, Jr.
The funeral will be held at the William Gritton residence, Wednesday afternoon at 1 o'clock and the burial will be in the Knight's Branch cemetery.
The Champaign Daily Gazette, Champaign, Illinois. Tuesday, 29 March 1910.

Pioneer Resident Taken
Death of Laben Gritten on Farm South of Penfield.
Penfield, March 31. - Laben Gritten, the oldest resident of the north part of the county, died at his home south of Penfield Monday morning at 2 o'clock.
Mr. Gritten came to this county over fifty years ago. The land which he owned was bought by him at twenty-five center per acre. Mr. Gritten was highly respected by all.
The decedent had been married three times. His last wife died several years ago. To the first union were born seven children all of whom survive, namely: Charles Gritten of Covington, Ind.; George of Penfield, William of Collison; Laben, Jr., Mrs. Cora Denglar and Mrs. Clara Meyers of Danville, and Mrs. Roumellla Grimes of Sullivan, Ind. One sister, who lived at Carney, Neb., also survives.
Mr. Gritten was a member of the Christian church and Rev. John Cossett of Danville, his pastor, conducted his funeral from his late home Wednesday morning at 10 o'clock. Interment was at Knight's Branch cemetery, south of Penfield.
The Champaign Daily News, Champaign, Illinois. Thursday, 31 March 1910.

Has Arm Buried With Him
Unusual Request of Laban Gritten Who Recently Died
Collison, Ill., April 2. - Perhaps one of the most novel requests ever made by a citizen of this part of the county was that made by Laben Gritten, an aged resident of Blount township, who passed away at the home of his son, William Gritten. The decedent had the misfortune to lose an arm 22 years ago last January and the dismembered part of the body was buried on the on the home place, where it remained since the accident happened. Realizing that he was going to pass away, Mr. Gritten made the request that the arm be disinterred and that it be buried with his body in the Knight's Branch cemetery. While, of course, the arm had long ago returned to dust, the children of the decedent sough to carry out the dying wish of their father and the ashes of the arm he had lost more than two decades were taken up just preceding the burial of the body and were interred with the later, Wednesday morning.
Mr. Gritten was born in the state of Kentucky, January 19, 1931, and came to Illinois when but twelve years of age. His parents located in Blount township and he had been a resident of this county ever since. When but a young man he moved to Pilot township and located in the northwest corner of the township, near No.5 school house, where he entered a tract of land at 25 cents per are from the government, and resided there until 1907. Since that time he made his home with his children.
Mr. Gritten had been married three times and has lost two wives by death. He is the father of nineteen children, all of whom are dead but eight. Those who survive him are Charles Gritton of Covington, Ind.; Mrs. Dora Dingler of Rossville; Mrs. Dellie Elder of Danville; William Gritten of near Collison; Mrs. Remelia Grimes of Carlisle, Ind.; Groge Gritten of Penfield; Laban Gritten of Penfield; Mrs. Clara Myers of Chicago. There were born into these various families forty grandchildren and eighteen great-grandchildren of whom thirty-eight grandchildren and al the great-grandchildren survive. He is survived also by one sister, Mrs. Anna Watson, who is 76 years of age and lives in Blount township.
The Champaign Daily News, Champaign, Illinois. Saturday, 2 April 1910, page 11.

Buried:
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/52732517/laben-gritten

Laben married Ella Biggs on 7 Apr 1896 in Warren County, Indiana. Ella was born in Dec 1867 in Illinois; died in 1908 in Pilot Township, Vermilion County, Illinois; was buried in Knights Branch Cemetery, Potomac, Vermilion County, Illinois. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Ella Biggs was born in Dec 1867 in Illinois; died in 1908 in Pilot Township, Vermilion County, Illinois; was buried in Knights Branch Cemetery, Potomac, Vermilion County, Illinois.

Notes:

Buried:
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/100836806/ella-gritten

Children:

1. Noah B. Gritten was born in 1897 in Vermilion County, Illinois; died in 1898 in Vermilion County, Illinois; was buried in Knights Branch Cemetery, Potomac, Vermilion County, Illinois.

Generation: 3

John R. Gritton was born on 20 Jul 1808 in Kentucky (son of Jesse Gritton and Sarah Brumfield); died on 30 May 1894 in Vermilion County, Illinois; was buried in Johnson Cemetery, Danville, Vermilion County, Illinois.

Other Events:

Census: 1850, Vermilion County, Illinois
Census: 1860, Blount Township, Vermilion County, Illinois
Census: 1870, Blount Township, Vermilion County, Illinois
Census: 1880, Blount Township, Vermilion County, Illinois

Notes:

From History of Vermilion County. By H.W. Beckwith. Chicago, Illinois, H.H. Hill and Company, 1879. page 887.
J.R. Gritton came here from Kentucky in 1840, and bought land of the estate of Abram Rees. Mr. Rees owned a farm on section 23, and while at work building a mill at Denmark, died. Mr. Gritton had a family of five children, only three of whom survive. One was killed a year since by Mr. Clem, in a difficulty growing out of the lease of a piece of land. One of Mr. Gritton's first acts, after coming on to his farm, was the selection and planting of an excellent orchard, which, owing to his good judgement and care, was for a long time a source of increased revenue. Gritton's orchard was known far and near as one of the best in this neck of woods. He never has been a member of any church, but his conversation shows that he has a true appreciation of the results of a sincere religious life in a community like this. The now aged couple are saddened in their last days by the tragedy which took the life of a dear son.

(LKH Note: The son who was killed was Milo B. Gritton whose widow, Ellen Gerrard, later married Samuel Shumate.)

1850 US census, Census District No.21, Vermilion County, Illinois, enumerated 19 December 1850.
John R. Gritton, age 42, farmer, real estate $1200
Nancy, age 42
Laban, age 19, attended school
Jesse, age 14, attended school
Sarah, age 12, attended school
Rachel, age 10, attended school
Milo, age 8, attended school
Elizth, age 3
Neighbors are Spencer Cline, Jane Gritten, John B. Cline, Nathaniel Cline.
Value of neighbors' properties
Spencer Cline, $600
Jane Gritton, $400
John B. Cline, blank
Nathaniel Cline, $300

1860 US census, Blount Township, Vermilion County, Illinois. Enumerated 10 July 1860.
John R. Gritton, age 53, real estate $1600, personal estate $500
Nancy, age 52
Milo, age 18, attended school
Nancy E., age 14, attended school

1870 US census, Blount Township, Vermilion County, Illinois, enumerated 16 August 1870.
John R. Gritton,age 62, farmer, real estate $4800, personal estate $650.
Nancy, age 62
John, age 8, grandson, attended school
Charles, age 6, grandson, attended school

Nearby is the household of John F. Gritton, Sarah, and Catherine Cline. No real estate value, person estate of $335. Sarah is the mother of John and Charles.

1880 US census. Blount Township, Vermilion County, Illinois, enumerated 15 June 1880.
J.R. Gritton, age 71, farmer
Nancy, age 71, keeping house
John, age 19, grandson, farm laborer, attended school
Charles, age 16, grandson, farm laborer, attended school

Buried:
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/52622374/john-r-gritton

John married Nancy Atkinson on 21 Mar 1831 in Mercer County, Kentucky. Nancy was born on 17 Oct 1808 in Kentucky; died on 17 Mar 1894 in Blount Township, Vermilion County, Illinois; was buried in Johnson Cemetery, Danville, Vermilion County, Illinois. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Nancy Atkinson was born on 17 Oct 1808 in Kentucky; died on 17 Mar 1894 in Blount Township, Vermilion County, Illinois; was buried in Johnson Cemetery, Danville, Vermilion County, Illinois.

Notes:

Mortuary record.
Gritton.
Nancy, wife of J.R. Gritton, died Saturday at 9:15 p.m., of old age, she being 85. Funeral services were held Sunday afternoon at 2:30 from Union chapel, six miles north of Danville. Rev. Oscar Gravat officiating; text, 2nd Corinthian, 15:22. Interment in Johnson cemetery.

Nancy A. Atkinson was born in Mercer county, Kentucky, October 17, 1808, and was united in the bonds of wedlock to John R. Gritton, March 22, 1830. The result of that union was ten children, five boys and five girls, eight of whom have preceded their mother to the other shore.

The family emigrated from Kentucky to Illinois in the fall of1840 and settled on the farm where the subject of this sketch died.

Deceased was well liked by all who knew her and was a christian woman who "went about doing good" all her life.

Among the relatives left to mourn her death are forty grandchildren and fifty-four great grandchildren.

Newspaper clipping from Cora (Gritton) Hedges. No publishing information available.

Buried:
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/52622423/nancy-gritton

Children:

Jesse Gritton was born in 1836 in Kentucky; died on 21 Sep 1865; was buried in Johnson Cemetery, Danville, Vermilion County, Illinois.
2. Laben Gritten was born on 19 Jan 1832 in Kentucky; died on 28 Mar 1910 in Collison, Vermilion County, Illinois; was buried in Knights Branch Cemetery, Potomac, Vermilion County, Illinois.
Ann D. Gritton was born on 9 Sep 1833 in Mercer County, Kentucky; died on 6 Apr 1918 in Danville, Vermilion County, Illinois; was buried in Johnson Cemetery, Danville, Vermilion County, Illinois.
Sarah E. Gritton was born about 1838 in Kentucky.
Richard Gritton was born about 1840 in Kentucky.
Milo B. Gritton was born on 2 Apr 1842 in Illinois; died on 18 Sep 1878 in Vermilion County, Illinois; was buried in Johnson Cemetery, Danville, Vermilion County, Illinois.
Nancy Elizabeth Gritton was born about 1847 in Illinois.

Generation: 4

Jesse Gritton was born on 1 Apr 1781 in Virginia (son of John Gritton and Elizabeth Hoagland); died on 16 Feb 1857; was buried in Banta Graveyard, Harrodsburg, Mercer County, Kentucky.

Notes:

1850 US census, District 1, Mercer County, Kentucky, enumerated 7 August 1850
Jesse Gritton, Farmer, age 67, real estate $1600
Nancy, age 55

1850 US agricultural census Mercer County, Kentucky, enumerated 10 August 1850.
line 11
Jesse Gritton
improved acres – 60
cash value of farm – $1200
value of farming implements - $50
horses - 4
milch cows – 3
sheep – 50
swine – 20
value of livestock - $300
Wheat, bushels of – 50
Indian corn, bushels of – 300
wool, pounds of – 110
peas & beans, bushels of - 6
Irish potatoes, bushels of - 10
sweet potatoes, bushels of – 4
Value of orchard products - $10
butter, pounds of – 100
hay, tons of – 1
value of animals slaughtered $30

Buried:
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/6625034/jesse-gritton

Jesse married Sarah Brumfield on 23 May 1803. Sarah was born on 17 Jan 1777; died on 20 May 1818. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Sarah Brumfield was born on 17 Jan 1777; died on 20 May 1818.

Children:

Milo B. Gritton was born on 18 May 1804 in Mercer County, Kentucky; died on 15 Jul 1846 in Vermilion County, Illinois; was buried in Johnson Cemetery, Danville, Vermilion County, Illinois.
Elizabeth Gritton was born on 3 Mar 1806 in Kentucky; died before 1880.
4. John R. Gritton was born on 20 Jul 1808 in Kentucky; died on 30 May 1894 in Vermilion County, Illinois; was buried in Johnson Cemetery, Danville, Vermilion County, Illinois.
William Gritton was born about 1809 in Kentucky.
Susan Elizabeth Gritton was born on 1 Dec 1810 in Mercer County, Kentucky; died on 26 Aug 1878 in Vermilion County, Illinois; was buried in Farmers Chapel Cemetery, Danville, Vermilion County, Illinois.
Valentine Gritton was born on 23 Feb 1813 in Kentucky.
Nancy Gritton was born on 30 Jun 1815 in Kentucky.
Merriman Gritton was born on 7 May 1818 in Mercer County, Kentucky.

Gritton and Cline Families

including Fox, Yeazel, Shumate and Wann

Noah B. Gritten