hmtl5 John Franklin Gritton b. 6 Jul 1842 Illinois d. 1 Jul 1924 Danville, Vermilion County, Illinois: Gritton Genealogy
John Franklin Gritton

John Franklin Gritton

Male 1842 - 1924  (81 years)

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  • Name John Franklin Gritton 
    Born 6 Jul 1842  Illinois Find all individuals with events at this location  [1, 2
    Gender Male 
    Census 1870  Blount Township, Vermilion County, Illinois Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Census 1880  Blount Township, Vermilion County, Illinois Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Census 1910  Danville, Vermilion County, Illinois Find all individuals with events at this location 
    11 1/2 N. Washington, rented upstairs son Lewis Gritton's household 
    Census 1920  Danville, Vermilion County, Illinois Find all individuals with events at this location 
    11 N. Jefferson, rented house next door to son Lewis Gritton's household 
    Occupation farmer  [3
    _MILT Civil War 
    Died 1 Jul 1924  Danville, Vermilion County, Illinois Find all individuals with events at this location  [1, 4
    Buried Spring Hill Cemetery, Danville, Vermilion County, Illinois Find all individuals with events at this location  [1
    Person ID I287  Gritton
    Last Modified 11 Mar 2023 

    Father Milo B. Gritton,   b. 18 May 1804, Mercer County, Kentucky Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 15 Jul 1846, Vermilion County, Illinois Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 42 years) 
    Mother Jane S. Burton,   b. Abt 1812, Kentucky Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. Abt 1860, Vermilion County, Illinois Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 48 years) 
    Married 13 Nov 1834  Mercer County, Kentucky Find all individuals with events at this location  [2, 5
    Family ID F157  Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

    Family Sarah Catherine Cline,   b. 5 Jun 1843, Vermilion County, Illinois Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 18 Dec 1929, Jamaica, Vermilion County, Illinois Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 86 years) 
    Married 9 Aug 1869  Vermilion County, Illinois Find all individuals with events at this location  [6, 7
    • Marriage License Abstracts Vermilion County, Illinois 1853-1874. Page 57. No record of anyone signing for bride or groom. This was Sarah's second marriage.
    Children 
     1. Cora Belle Gritton,   b. 28 Aug 1870, Vermilion County, Illinois Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 16 Apr 1961, Tilton, Vermilion County, Illinois Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 90 years)
     2. Franklin M. Gritton,   b. 26 Jan 1873, Vermilion County, Illinois Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 12 Mar 1879, Vermilion County, Illinois Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 6 years)
     3. Everett M. Gritton,   b. 6 Oct 1876, Vermilion County, Illinois Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 12 Mar 1879, Vermilion County, Illinois Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 2 years)
     4. Lewis Adolphus Gritton,   b. 29 Jul 1879, Vermilion County, Illinois Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 23 Aug 1962, Danville, Vermilion County, Illinois Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 83 years)
     5. Grace M. Gritton,   b. 12 Aug 1885, Vermilion County, Illinois Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 9 Dec 1885, Vermilion County, Illinois Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 0 years)
    Last Modified 6 Jul 2019 
    Family ID F17  Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

  • Event Map
    Link to Google MapsBorn - 6 Jul 1842 - Illinois Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsMarried - 9 Aug 1869 - Vermilion County, Illinois Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsCensus - 1870 - Blount Township, Vermilion County, Illinois Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsCensus - 1880 - Blount Township, Vermilion County, Illinois Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsCensus - 11 1/2 N. Washington, rented upstairs son Lewis Gritton's household - 1910 - Danville, Vermilion County, Illinois Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsCensus - 11 N. Jefferson, rented house next door to son Lewis Gritton's household - 1920 - Danville, Vermilion County, Illinois Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsDied - 1 Jul 1924 - Danville, Vermilion County, Illinois Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsBuried - - Spring Hill Cemetery, Danville, Vermilion County, Illinois Link to Google Earth
     = Link to Google Earth 
    Pin Legend  : Address       : Location       : City/Town       : County/Shire       : State/Province       : Country       : Not Set

  • Photos
    Gritton, John Franklin
    Gritton, John Franklin
    Gritton, John F and Sarah Catherine Cline
    Gritton, John F and Sarah Catherine Cline
    Gritton, John F. and Asbury Hood
    Gritton, John F. and Asbury Hood
    John Franklin Gritton's hotel in Danville, Illinois - We need information to substantiate this.
    John Franklin Gritton's hotel in Danville, Illinois - We need information to substantiate this.
    Gritton, John F.
    Gritton, John F.

    Documents
    Gritton Family Register
    Gritton Family Register
    Gritton Family Register
    Gritton Family Register
    Gritton Family Register
    Gritton Family Register
    Record of Appointment of Postmasters
    Record of Appointment of Postmasters
    Gritton, John F. obit 2
    Gritton, John F. obit 2
    Gritton, John F obit
    Gritton, John F obit
    John F. and Sarah Catherine Cline Gritton 50th wedding anniversary
    John F. and Sarah Catherine Cline Gritton 50th wedding anniversary
    Gritton, John F farm auction
    Gritton, John F farm auction

    Headstones
    Gritton, John F. (1842-1924) and Sarah Catherine Cline (1843-1929)
    Gritton, John F. (1842-1924) and Sarah Catherine Cline (1843-1929)
    Gritton, John F. and Sarah Catherine Cline
    Gritton, John F. and Sarah Catherine Cline
    Gritton, John F. and Sarah Catherine Cline
    Gritton, John F. and Sarah Catherine Cline

  • Notes 
    • US Civil War Draft Registration Records. Blount Township. Jess Gritten. Age 28. White. Farmer. Married. Born in Illinois.
      In same record, just above Jess's entry are entries for his cousins (sons of Milo B. Gritton and Jane Burton):
      Merriman Gritten. Age 24. White. Farmer, Married. Born in Illinois.
      a few lines below is: John Gritten. Age 20. White, Farmer, Married. Born in Illinois
    • 1870 US census, enumerated 16 August 1870
      Blount Township, Vermilion County, Illinois
      John F. Gritton, age 28, farm laborer
      Sarah Gritton, age 27, keeping house
      Catharine Cline, ag 78, at home
      Not far away are the households of William Gritton, age 44, and of John R. Gritton, age 62. John R. Gritton was the father of the late Jesse Gritton, Sarah's first husband, and in his household are Jesse and Sarah's two sons, John age 8 and Charles age 6.
      [3]
    • 1870 US agricultural census:
      John F. Gritton
      Blount Township, Vermilion County, Illinois
      Improved land - 10 acres
      Unimproved land - 200 acres
      Horses - 2
      Milch cows - 1
      Other cattle - 1
      Swine - 2
      Value of livestock #335
      Winter wheat - 33 bushels
      Indian corn - 150 bushels
      Estimated value of all farm production - $108
      [3]
    • 1880 US census, enumerated 20 June 1880
      Blount Township, Vermilion County, Illinois
      John F. Gritton, age 36, farmer
      Catharine, age 35, keeping house
      Cora B., age 10, at home
      Lewis A., age 10 months, at home
      Benjamin Milliner, age 22, boarder, farm laborer.
      Cora is listed as can not read or write.
      [3]
    • 1910 US census, enumerated 18 April 1910
      Danville, Vermilion County, Illinois
      112 North Washington Street
      John F. Gritton, age 66, laborer in grain mill
      Sarah, age 65
      Next door is the household of their son, Lewis A. Gritton, age 30.
      [3]
    • 1920 US census, enumerated 5 January 1920
      Danville, Ward 2, Vermilion County, Illinois
      1920 N. Jefferson Street
      John F. Gritton, age 77
      Sarah K., age 76
      They live next door to the household of their son Lewis Gritton who is a motorman for the street car.
      [3]
    • John F. Gritton was the first appointed postmaster in Jamaica, Vermilion County, Illinois He served from 21 March 1894 until 30 Jun 1898. National Archives, Record of Appointment of Postmasters. Vermilion County, Illinois, v.87, page 609.

    • Aged couple given a pleasant surprise
      Mr. and Mrs. John Gritton were reminded Sunday of golden wedding anniversary.
      (Special to the Morning Press)
      Fairmount, Ill., Aug. 14 - Mr. and Mrs. John Gritton were given a very pleasant surprise last Sunday afternoon at their home in Jefferson street, south side, by the children and grandchildren coming in to help them celebrate their golden wedding anniversary. Refreshments of ice cream and cake were served and all enjoyed a most delightful time. About thirty enjoyed this event. The out of town guests were Mr. and Mrs. Charles Gritton, of Odell, Ill., Mr. and Mrs. Ralph Hedges, of Chrisman, Ill., Mr. and Mrs. Rolla Yeazel, of Homer, Ill., Mr. and Mrs. Geo. Hedges, Jamaica, and Mrs. Lula Dinnick and daughter, of Bloomington, Ill, from Danville were: Mr. and Mrs. Lew Gritton and family and Miss Wilma Hall, of Chicago, Mrs. Mary Wisler and daughter, Mrs. Berry and Ernest Gritton. Mr. Gritton was 7y the 6th of July and Mrs. Gritton was 75 the 5th of June. Both are enjoying good health and their many friends and relatives wish for them the best of life's blessings the remaining years of life. Both Mr. and Mrs. Gritton were born in Illinois and are among one of the many prominent pioneer families of this county.

      Newspaper clipping from Cora (Gritton) Hedges. No publishing information available.
      [8]
    • Allison-Gritton-Casat Reunion.
      One of the most pleasant and largest family reunions held in this dity this season was that of the Allison, Gritton and Cosat families, held at Lincoln park Sunday Sept. 2 when 100 or more were present. Owing to the inclement weather the crowd was not as large as it would have been if the rain had not kept many away who would otherwise have been present and who missed a most enjoyable day. Out of town guests were: Marion Shumate and wife of Conway, Ark., which is the first visit here of Mr. Shumate in 30 years, he being a former resident of Blount township, also George Gritton and family of Spencer, Ind. Found state were represented namely: Illinois, Indiana, Arkansas and Iowa.

      Everybody had a good time and were glad that they were present all agreeing on holding the reunion of 1924 on the first Sunday in September at Lincoln park, in this city.

      The same officers of last year were re-elected with C. W. Cosat as president; and Oakie Allison, secretary.

      John Gritton and wife, ages 82 and 81 respectively were the oldest guests present. They are residents of Danville and live on the South Side.

      Rev. Norton and Rev. H.O. Wilson, each gave interesting talks. A find dinner was the feature of the day and during the afternoon, ices and cakes were served, making up a most pleasant day for all.

      Newspaper clipping from Cora (Gritton) Hedges. No publishing information available.
      [8]
    • Gritton family holds reunion.
      The first annual reunion of the Gritton family, descendants of early settlers of Vermilion County, was held Sunday at Lincoln park and was well attended by representatives from far and near. A fine dinner was enjoyed at the noon hour by nearly 200 members. Mac Lee, of San Francisco, who came the farthest distance to attend the reunion, has been absent from this county almost 30 years. Uncle John Gritton, of the South Side, was the oldest member of the family present. He is almost 90. The afternoon was spent in renewing old ties. The members looked forward with pleasurable anticipations to the reunion to be held at the same place some time in August, 1921.

      Newspaper clipping from Cora (Gritton) Hedges. No publishing information available.
      [8]
    • J.F. Gritton pioneer dies at age of 84.
      Farmer and Danville merchange dies in South Danville home.
      John Franklin Gritton, retired farmer and former owner of feed yards, and who would have been 84 years old had he lived five days more, died at his home, 11 North Jefferson street, South Danville at 1:40 o'clock yesterday afternoon. Mr. Gritton was a lifelong resident of Vermilion county and since coming to Danville a quarter of a century ago has made his home in South Town.

      Funeral services will be held Thursday afternoon at 1:30 o'clock from the residence.

      Mr. Gritton was born in Blount township, July 6, 1842, the son of pioneer stock and one of three children, a brother M.L. Gritton, who formerly lived in South Danville, and a sister, Mrs. Belle Hensley, preceding him in death. During Mr. Gritton's life he resided near Fairmount on a farm and 25 years ago moved to Danville where he owned feed yards, first on walnut street and later on Hazel street, part of the time, operating both places. He retired 15 years ago.

      He was married to Miss Sarah K. Cline on Aug. 9, 1869, and to this union five children were born, two of whom, Mrs. George Hedges of Fairmount and Lewis A. Gritton, a motorman on the Ridgefarm-Georgetown line, survive. Two sons, Franklin M. and Everett M. Gritton died when they were 7 and 5 years old, when they were given an overdose of medicine by mistake. The two brothers were buried in the same casket. A daughter, Grace May, died in infancy. Besides the son and daughter, Mr. Gritton is survived by the widow, Mrs. Sarah Gritton.

      Newspaper clipping from Cora (Gritton) Hedges. No publishing information available.
      [8, 9]
    • John F. Gritton, pioneer, is dead.
      Well-known resident of South Danville succumbs to paralysis.
      John F. Gritton, 82, died at his home, 11 North Jefferson street, South Side, Tuesday afternoon. He was stricken with paralysis Monday, June 23, the entire right side being affected. Death, which came at 1:40 o'clock Tuesday afternoon, had been expected for several days.

      Funeral services will be held at the family residence at 1:30 o'clock Thursday afternoon, and the interment will be in the family lot at Springhill cemetery.

      John Franklin Gritton was born in Blount township, northwest of Danville, July 6, 1842 and came of pioneer stock. His father died when he was eight years of age and much of the work of keeping the family fell upon his shoulders. His mother died a few years later, leaving him largely dependent on his own resources.

      Aug. 9, 1969, he was united in marriage to Miss Sarah K. Cline, who survives. To this union, five children were born, two, Mrs. George Hedges and Lewis A. Gritton, a motorman on the interurban railway between this city and Ridgefarm surviving.

      Mr. Gritton about 1882, became a tenant on the farm of Dr. H. W. Morehouse, of this city, near the town of Jamaica and after remaining there for nine years removed to the Will Carrigan farm about a mile distant, where he remained for eight years. Then he retired and removed to this city.

      Danville Commercial News Newspaper clipping from Cora (Gritton) Hedges. No date available.

      [8, 9]

  • Sources 
    1. [S2] Find a Grave.

    2. [S75] The Family of Gritton, Don Claypool, (Don Claypool, 1997).

    3. [S89] census records.

    4. [S7] Illinois, Deaths and stillbirths index, 1916-1947.

    5. [S67] Kansas, County Marriage Records.

    6. [S12] Illinois Marriages.

    7. [S48] Marriage Abstracts, Vermilion County, Illinois: 1853-1874, (Illiana Genealogical and Historical Society).

    8. [S103] newspaper clipping.

    9. [S17] Obituary.