MUSCATINE COUNTY IOWA REGISTER OF OLD SETTLERS BOOK ONE

Source: REGISTER OF OLD SETTLERS , BOOK One, page 168
submitted by Neal Carter, Aug. 12, 2007

Old Settlers’ Meeting.
Sunday, March 31, 1885

At a meeting of Old Settlers’ held at the City Hall on the occasion of the death of MRS. FRANCES TUTTLE, Mr. J.J. Hoopes was called to the chair, with Mr. Peter Jackson, present, as secretary of the society.

On motion, the chair appointed Joseph Bridgman, G. W. Van Horne and Peter Jackson, a committee on resolutions.

An informal talk ensued by members in regard to deceased, and many had special tributes to pay to her memory. It was remarked that among those present, nine came to Muscatine, then Bloomington, before 1840, making a remarkable gathering of Muscatine’s pioneers on so short a call for the meeting.

Mr. Bridgman in presenting the report of the committee said that Mrs. Blades, the surviving daughter, had sent for him to take charge of the funeral, and he was reminded that forty-five years ago, Mrs. B. had assisted as bridesmaid at his wedding. He spoke of the duty Old Settlers owe to each other and referring to the interest manifested by Mrs. Blades and deceased in the Old Settlers’ society, expressed the hope that those present would speak to other members, that the society might be properly represented at the funeral. He read the following report:

Today the voice of our old friend, Mrs. Frances Tuttle is silent in death, and we have come together to pay the last sad tribute of respect to her memory. This “mother in Israel” has passed away and she needs no eulogy from us who in the early settlement of our town, by her kind, gentle and eminently social character entwined herself around the hearts of all who were brought within the sweet influence of her home, and today the remembrance of her many Christian virtues form one of the brightest pages in the tablet of our memory, and it is only right and proper that we should place upon our words some token of our esteem, not in any formal spirit, but truly realizing that each of us have met with a personal loss in the death of our highly esteemed friend and early companion of the long ago in the early morning of our western life, one who has drank to the very dregs from the cup of sorrow, and yet with an unfailing trust in the “Man of Sorrow.” Therefore

Resolved,

That while we mourn for the dead and would mingle our tears with relations and friends, our heartfelt sympathy in all that it means, should cluster around the only surviving one, whose untiring attention, unselfish devotion, knowing no rest during the day, or in the silent vigils of the night, but like a ministering angel, ever at the bedside of the sufferer. Let us then, while mourning for the dead and cherishing her memory, ever keep a warm place in our hearts for this lonely survivor.

On motion, the resolutions were adopted.

Mr. Van Horne was called out by a remark upon his relations with the Society and in brief words spoke of his relations with deceased. All others present may have known her longer but none had cause for appreciating her more or knowing her better than himself. Into no home had her gentleness and sympathy and gracious deeds of kindness entered with larger share than into his own. He would pay her the tribute of believing that heaven was made up of just such ministering spirits of kindness and love.

On motion the meeting adjourned. ---- P. JACKSON, Sec.

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Funeral of Mrs. Tuttle

The funeral of Mrs. Frances Tuttle was attended this afternoon by a large concourse of mourning friends, the Old Settlers society being numerously represented. The services were conducted by Rev. S. H. Parvin whose remarks were most touching and appropriate in reference to the long and useful life of deceased in our midst, and were characterized with a noble eloquence in their review of the reasons for the Christian hope and faith.

Rock of Ages and “Nearer, My God to Thee,” were beautifully sung by a select choir. The pallbearers were Suel Foster, C. Cadle, A. M. Winn, Peter Jackson, J. Scott Richman and A. Smalley, all members of the Old Settlers’ society.

Joseph Bridgman, Esq., had charge of the funeral arrangements.

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DIED

TUTTLE – At her home in Muscatine, Iowa, March 29, 1885, of paralysis and old age, MRS. FRANCES TUTTLE, in her 86th year. Just as the chimes of St. Mathias and the town clock were striking the hour of twelve at noon last Sunday a sweet smile crept over the countenance of the good old lady whose death we chronicle above. A few moments later her spirit had wafted its flight into the blissful beyond. Thus ended the life of one of the noblest ladies that ever trod the Iowa shore, where she has resided since the year 1839. Her health had been excellent for one so aged as she, and one who had seen as many hardships as any of the pioneers of the Hawkeye State, up to about nineteen months ago, when she became afflicted with paralysis, since which time she has borne her sufferings with a true Christian spirit. During this long period of illness she has been attended by her loving daughter, Mrs. Blades, whose devotions and attentions have been untiring and almost ceaseless. Mother Tuttle’s life had been despaired of for some time past, yet she seemed perfectly willing to go forth to meet her Master, and when death did come to her relief she passed away into the sweet sleep that knows no waking, perfectly contented and resigned.

The deceased was born in 1800 in Connecticut and was married to E. Dribble, in company with whom she emigrated to Columbus, Ohio, where Hon. D. C. Cloud, of this city, married her eldest daughter. In April, 1839, they all moved to Iowa and landed in Bloomington, now Muscatine. Her husband died the same fall, after having established the first brick yard. Not long after the death of her husband, she erected the present home at the corner of Pine and Fourth street, where she has resided ever since, in company with her daughter, Mrs. Blades, who has resided with her aged mother of late years. Later Mrs. Dribble became the wife of Dr. N. S. Tuttle, whose widow she has been for many years past.

She was the mother of three children, Mrs. D. C. Cloud, Mrs. Blade and a son, Jerome, the former and latter now being dead.

The deceased was, as will be seen, one of the earliest settlers of Muscatine, and has always taken a great interest in the meetings and actions of the Old Settlers, a meeting of which has been called for this morning at the City Hall at nine o’clock.

The funeral occurs this afternoon at two o’clock from the family residence. The services will be conducted by Rev. S. H. Parvin, pastor of the Presbyterian church.

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