Fruitt, John R.

FRUITT, BUTLER, LAGG, STOKES

Posted By: Mary H. Cochrane, Volunteer
Date: 6/29/2019 at 20:02:04

Biographical and Historical Record of Ringgold and Decatur Counties, Iowa, (Lewis Publishing Company (1887)), pp. 674-75:

"JOHN R. FRUITT resides on the southwest quarter of section 6, Eden Township, where he settled in the spring of 1883. The first improvements were made by Albert Ernest. He has seventy-three acres which were formerly timbered, principally with white oak. About fifty acres are improved. Mr. Fruitt was born in Mason County, Kentucky, March 5, 1819. He removed with his parents to Rush County, Indiana, in 1830, and later to Monroe County. His father, Elias S. Fruitt, spent the later years of his life in Owen County, where he died, about the year 1872. His wife died several years before. Their nine children all grew to maturity, and seven are still living. John R. is the only one living in Decatur County. James W., and a sister, Mrs. Sarepta E. Butler, are living in Indianola; one brother is in California, and the others are in Indiana. John R. Fruitt was reared and married in Monroe County. His first wife, Nancy Lagg, died in 1847, leaving three children. Only one, George, is now living. He married his present wife, formerly Lucinda J. Stokes, in Putnam County, Indiana, in 1849. She was born in that county December 6, 1830. Mr. and Mrs. Fruitt have had six children -- Milford F., born in 1850; Lucinda E., Sarah A. and Thomas N. Peter W. was born in 1852, and died at the age of twenty-four years. Mr. Fruitt was formerly a Whig; his first presidential vote being cast for Wm. H. Harrison, in 1840. Since the organization of the Republican party he has affiliated with that party. He is a member of the Methodist church."

(Submitted to the Decatur County GenWeb site by Christy Jay, email: Jaygenie@aol.com)