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BIOGRAPHIES
A Standard History
of
Erie County, Ohio
An Authentic Narrative of the Past, with Particular
Attention
to the Modern Era in the Commercial, Industrial,
Civic and Social Development. A Chronicle of the People, with Family
Lineage and Memoirs.
By
HEWSON L. PEEKE
Assisted by the Board of Advisory Editors
Volume I.
ILLUSTRATED
The Lewis Publishing Company
Chicago and New York
1916
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TUTTLE YOUNGS.
One of the most purposeful and productive lives spent
within the limits of Erie County was that of the late
Tuttle Youngs, who was born at Sempronius,
Cayuga County, New York, Jan. 20, 1832, and died on his
beautiful estate near Shinrock in Berlin Township June
7, 1896, when in his sixty-fifth year. Along with
the industry and enterprise which secures the best in
material affairs, he had the sincere and high minded
character which illuminates the life of a man in
whatever sphere he expends his labors.
His parents were thrifty, hard working and honorable
farming people of New York State, and from them he
doubtless inherited many of the admirable qualities
which were exemplified in his own career. His
parents were James W. and Roxanna (Tuttle) Youngs,
both natives of New York State. His mother was a
sister of Nathan Tuttle, whose son,
Hudson Tuttle, gained distinction not only in
Ohio but elsewhere as an author and lecturer. The
parents of Tuttle Youngs spent their lives
in New York State and were quite old when they died.
Growing up in his native state, Tuttle Youngs
received a moderate amount of schooling and was trained
to farm work under the direction of his father until
twenty years of age. He then came out to Ohio,
early in the '50s, and found work at the carpenter trade
for a time, and then entered the employ of Isaac T.
Reynolds, one of the best known farmers and
successful old time citizens of Erie County, now
deceased. After seven years of steady employment,
in which he commended himself not only to his employer
but to the respect of the community, he was induced by
Henry Hine, an extensive land owner, to
purchase a farm, since Mr. Hine was much
impressed by the ability and worth of the young man and
was willing to help him in getting a start. After
he had worked and paid for his first tract of
seventy-eight acres, he found a capable helpmate in a
young woman of that community, a member of one of Erie
County's oldest and most prominent families, and
together they
started the improvements which have since eventuated in
one of the most beautiful farms to be found in Erie
County. This farm is now occupied by Mrs.
Youngs, with her son as its capable manager.
In the course of his lifetime the late Mr.
Youngs put nearly all his land under the plow, and
erected fine farm buildings, including a modern eight
room house. Hardly any land in the county shows
superior soil, and it has been thoroughly drained and
brought to the highest degree of productiveness.
At this work for many years, Mr. Youngs
continued his active career, and was not only a large
crop grower but always kept good stock and exercised the
utmost care in its handling.
In his political actions he was a republican, but
consented to hold only one official position, that of
township trustee for several terms. He was a
Christian in the principle of conduct rather than by
creed. He was very domestic, and his home was the
central point of his life's interests and affections.
From the time of his marriage it is said that he was
never absent from home or his wife a single night,
excepting when he at one time took a trip to Chicago.
On Jan. 31, 1861, Tuttle Youngs and
Miss Mary Ann Sprowl were
united in marriage. She had lived up to that time
in Huron Township, and was a sister of Thomas Sprowl,
cashier of the First National Bank of Huron. Mrs.
Youngs was born Dec. 17, 1840, and received her
early training and education in the schools of Huron and
Berlin townships, and has spent nearly all her life
within a mile or so of her present beautiful home.
A great deal might be written about the Youngs
place, known as Maple Street Home. The
township has no better developed or more attractive
property than this. It takes its name from the
beautiful avenue of maples which in their sturdy grace
and beauty comprise a monument to the late Tuttle
Youngs. He set them out along the road in
1862 and since then they have grown into large and
beautiful trees. In April, 1861, a few weeks after
his marriage, Mr. Youngs spent his last 50
cents after getting established in his new home to buy
two cherry trees. These he planted in the front
yard, and for fifty-four years one of these has stood,
blossoming and bearing fruit almost every season, Only
recently a wind storm destroyed the companion tree.
In the first year following their marriage Mr.
Youngs worked from daylight often far into the night
getting his land cleared up and his home satisfactorily
improved, and his loyal wife was a constant source of
encouragement as well as practical aid to him in all his
efforts.
Mrs. Youngs represents some of the oldest
established families in Erie County and is a daughter of
John A. and Betsey J. (Miller) Sprowl. Her
father was born in New Jersey Mar. 25, 1813, and came to
Erie County when nineteen years of age, locating in the
vicinity of the present Berlin Heights. His wife
had the distinction of having been born at Berlin
Heights Mar. 3, 1819. After their marriage they
settled in a little frame house which he had built on a
clearing completely surrounded by heavy timbers.
There he lived and worked and after an active and
honorable career died Dec. 8, 1884, followed by his wife
on Aug. 13, 1896. Their efforts had succeeded in
clearing away and putting in cultivation fifty acres of
fine land and their later years were spent in comfort
and with every convenience which they could desire.
Both were members of the Christian Church and in
politics he was a republican and a man highly respected
because of his dominant characteristics of fulfilling to
the utmost letter and spirit every promise he made.
Mr. and Mrs. Youngs became the parents of one
son. Jay Reynolds, who was born Feb.
10, 1867. He was carefully reared and educated,
attending the Berlin Heights High School and has always
lived on the home farm and since the death of his father
has carried forward its improvements and its cultivation
with a generous degree of success. He married
Sabina Ritz, a daughter of John
Ritz, one of Erie County's well known citizens. She
was born, reared and educated in Berlin Township. They
have one daughter, Mylitta. the only grandchild
of Mrs. Youngs, and born Nov. 3, 1900, and
now a student in the Berlin
Heights High School. The son is a republican
voter.
Source: The Standard History of Erie County,
Ohio - Published 1916 - Page 613 |
NOTES:
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