O. A. Tuttle

TUTTLE, SMITH, CHAMBERLAIN, JAMESON, CRAWFORD, ORR

Posted By: Peggy Webster Volunteer (email)
Date: 4/10/2014 at 16:53:31

O. A. Tuttle is the owner of valuable property interests in Greenfield but is practically living retired, save for the supervision which he gives to his real estate. He has at different time been identified with agricultural and commercial interests and his success has been won through persistent, earnest effort. He was born in New York, December 31, 1842, his parents being Orris and Annie (Smith) Tuttle, who were also natives of the Empire state. Both the father and mother were born, reared and educated in Oneida county and following their marriage they begin their domestic life there, continuing to live in that locality until 1848. They they removed to Peoria county, Illinois, where they resided for four years and in 1852 they removed to Henry county, Illinois. They took up their abode upon a farm which Mr. Tuttle entered from the government and which was wild and unimproved land. Eventually they sold that property and came to Adair county, Iowa, where both Mr. and Mrs. Tuttle spent their remaining days. They had a family of twelve children but O. A. Tuttle is the only one now surviving.

The youthful experiences of O. A. Tuttle were such as usually fall to the lot of the farm lad. He attended the common schools and worked in the fields until he began farming on his own account in Illinois, being thus engaged until 1868, when at the age of twenty-five years he came to Iowa, settling in Adair County. Purchasing a farm in Orient township, he hauled lumber from Des Moines in order to build a house and lived upon that place for four years. He then rented the farm and returned to Genesco, Illinois, where he continued to reside for six years, after which he again came to this county and once more took up his abode upon his farm. There he resided until 1886, when he removed to Greenfield, where he established a grain and coal business, which he conducted with growing success for a number of years, securing a liberal and well merited patronage. He continued in business until he retired from active life. He is now enjoying well earned rest, having no business interests, save management of his property. He has sold his farm but is still owner of several houses in Greenfield, from which he derives a gratifying annual rental. He is also the treasurer of the Adair County Mutual Fire and Insurance Company, having occupied the position for a quarter of a century.

In 1867 Mr. Tuttle wedded Miss Mary Chamberlain, who was born in Logan county, Illinois, a daughter of Dr. Nathan A. and Sarah (Jameson) Chamberlain, the former a native of Vermont and the latter of Connecticut. At a early day they located in Illinois, settling in Logan county. Their family numbered two children, both of who survive. The mother, however, passed away in Illinois, and the father's death occurred later in Missouri. To Mr. and Mrs. Tuttle have been born six children: Almonzo A., a banker, now residing in Idaho; Ralph R. and Ara C.,both of who are deceased; Effa M., the wife of Dr. Crawford, of Guthrie Center; Amy L., the wife of H. W. Orr, of Waterloo, Iowa; and A. O., living in Greenfield. Mrs. Tuttle is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church and her life has been the exemplification of her Christian faith. She is also a member of the Rebekah lodge and the Women's Relief Corps, in which she has served as junior vice-president and is at present special aid on the department president's staff.

Mr. Tuttle is a republican in his political views has acceptably filled several local offices. He belongs to Greenfield Lodge, No. 375, I.O.O.F., in which he has filled all the chairs. He is now nearing the seventy-third milestone on life's journey. His life has been well spent, activity in business winning for him success, while substantial traits in other lines have gained for him the friendly regard of those whom he has been brought in contact.

Source: History of Adair County, Iowa, Vol. I & II, 1915, pgs. 6-7