Ruth Beatrice Gritton
1903 - 1992 (88 years)
Generation: 1
Generation: 3
Generation: 4
1. Ruth Beatrice Gritton was born on 26 Sep 1903 in Indiana (daughter of Elmer E. Gritton and Docie Gertrude McClard); died on 24 Mar 1992 in San Joaquin, Fresno County, California. Notes:
LKH note:
Ruth married William Earl Mathews, b. 28 Nov 1915 in Goldsboro, North Carolina.
In the 1940 census they are in Norfolk, Virginia.
In the 1950 census they are Long Beach, Los Angeles County, California. Hattie's mother Gertrude Gritton, 64, widow, lives with them.
2. Elmer E. Gritton was born on 21 Feb 1871 in Vermilion County, Illinois (son of Milo B. Gritton and Ellen Gerrard); died on 25 Nov 1948 in Los Angeles County, California. Other Events:
- Occupation: railroad switchman; railroad conductor
- Census: 1900, Indianapolis, Marion County, Indiana
- Census: 1910, Indianapolis, Marion County, Indiana
- Census: 1920, Urbana, Champaign County, Illinois
- Census: 1930, Indianapolis, Marion County, Indiana
- Census: 1940, Inglewood, Los Angeles County, California
Notes:
Conductor Elmer E. Gritton is the most unfortunate man on the road. His family is again in quarantine, this time on account of diphtheria.
The Champaign Daily Gazette, Champaign, Illinois. Monday, 15 February 1915.
* * * *
Conductor Elmer Gritton, whose home is quarantined on account of diphtheria, is living in a caboose.
The Champaign Daily News, Champaign, Illinois. Tuesday, 16 February 1915.
* * *
The home of E.E. Gritton, 205 East Illinois street has been quarantined on account of diphtheria.
The Champaign County News, Champaign, Illinois. Wednesday, 17 February 1915.
* * *
LKH note: a lesson in searching for one than one news article about the same event. In the series above each article gave a new clue about Elmer and his family. 1. He is a railroad conductor.
2. His family has been in quarantine more than once. 3. He lived in a caboose while they were in quarantine. 4. Their home address is listed.
LKH note:
From this news article we learn that Elmer has been a railroad conductor since 1905.
* * *
Under the column “Shop and Track. Illinois Central.
A new seniority list of conducts and brakemen made up at the end of the year 1914 was posted on Saturday evening by Yardmaster Birdzell. The list shows the following sanding of trainman: Conductors –
[there follows a list of names and years, including … ]
E.E. Gritton and J.V. Spitz, 1905.
The Champaign Daily News, Champaign, Illinois. Tuesday, 9 February 1915, page 4.
Conductor Gritton had one of the longest trains ever pulled into the Urbana yards Friday night. It was an extra from the west, consisting of 91 cars and three quarters of a mile long.
The Urbana Daily Courier, Urbana, Illinois. Monday, 15 March 1915, page 2.
Elmer married Docie Gertrude McClard on 21 Aug 1902 in Greenfield, Hancock County, Indiana. Docie (daughter of Henry McClard and Nancy Belle Crawford) was born on 28 Sep 1885 in Kentucky; died on 24 May 1956 in Los Angeles County, California. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]
3. Docie Gertrude McClard was born on 28 Sep 1885 in Kentucky (daughter of Henry McClard and Nancy Belle Crawford); died on 24 May 1956 in Los Angeles County, California. Children:
- Effie Mae Gritton was born in 1902 in Indiana.
- 1. Ruth Beatrice Gritton was born on 26 Sep 1903 in Indiana; died on 24 Mar 1992 in San Joaquin, Fresno County, California.
- Mildred Emlyn Gritton was born on 6 Jan 1908 in Indianapolis, Marion County, Indiana; died on 10 Apr 1908 in Indianapolis, Marion County, Indiana; was buried in Mount Jackson Cemetery, Indianapolis, Marion County, Indiana.
- Forence Ellen Gritton was born on 21 Feb 1909 in Indianapolis, Marion County, Indiana; died on 11 Sep 1968 in Orange County, California.
- Elmer Henry Gritton was born on 10 Jul 1910 in Illinois; died on 14 Jul 1981 in Orange County, California.
- George Edward Gritton was born on 25 Nov 1915 in Champaign County, Illinois; died on 13 Jul 1989 in Orange County, California.
- Kenton Milo Gritton was born on 9 Feb 1919 in Champaign County, Illinois; died on 24 Mar 1999 in California.
Generation: 3
4. Milo B. Gritton was born on 2 Apr 1842 in Illinois (son of John R. Gritton and Nancy Atkinson); died on 18 Sep 1878 in Vermilion County, Illinois; was buried in Johnson Cemetery, Danville, Vermilion County, Illinois. Other Events:
- Census: 1870, Pilot Township, Vermilion County, Illinois
Notes:
Milo was killed by David Clem when Milo came to the aid of his nephew William Watson. See Danville Commercial [News], 26 September 1878.
In an altercation at Danville, between David Clem and Miles Gritton, the former cut Gritton's throat from ear to ear with a bowie knife, causing immediate death. During the struggle Clem was stabbed in the bowels and will surely die.
The Illinois State Journal, Springfield, Illinois. Wednesday, 25 September 1878, page 4.
An old feud, growing out of the renting of a farm in Vermillion County, terminated at Danville, on the 19th, between David Clem and Milo Gritton, by the former cutting the latter's throat, he dying instantly, Clem receiving a gash in his bowels which is liable to prove fatal. Clem has resided in that county for a great many years, and was at one time a candidate for Sheriff, though of late years his influence has been on the wane.
The True Republican, Sycamore, Illinois. Wednesday, 25 September 1878, page 2.
Same article also appears in:
Oquawka Spectator, Oquawka, Illinois. Thursday, 26 September 1878, page 2.
and in:
The Clinton Public, Clinton, Illinois. Friday 27 September 1878, page 2.
About 7 o'clock, on the morning of the 15th, a fight took place near Danville, in which David Clem cut Miles Gritton's throat from ear to ear, from which he died immediately. Clem was also stabbed in the bowels, whether by himself or Gritton is not known. He will probably die from the effects of his wounds. It seems Clem had rented a farm to Gritton and they had a difficulty in dividing the fruit, and the rencontre was occasioned by a lawsuit regarding this division.
Nashville Journal, Nashville, Illinois. Friday, 27 September 1878, page 3.
From Ear to Ear.
Special Dispatch to the Globe-Democrat.
Danville, Ill., September 19. - About 7 o'clock, on the morning of the 15th, a fight took place near Danville, in which David Clem cut Miles Gritton's throat from ear to ear, from which he died immediately. Clem was also stabbed in the bowels, whether by himself or Gritton is not known. He will probably die from the effects of his wounds. It seems Clem had rented a farm to Gritton and they had a difficulty in dividing the fruit. This morning Clem met William Watson, one of Gritton's witnesses in a suit which terminated unfavorably to Clem, and they engaged in a hand-to-hand fight, when Gritton, who was sowing wheat in a field near by, came over to help Watson. Clem at once made for him with the result as stated above.
St. Louis Globe-Democrat, St. Louis, Missouri. Friday, 20 September 1878, page 3.
Bail for a Murderer.
Special Dispatch to the Globe-Democrat.
Danville, Ill., October 15. - David Clem was to day brought before Judge Hanford, in the County Court, charged with the murder of Milo Gritton, an account of which was telegraphed the Globe-Democrat. His bail was fixed at $5,000, in default of which he was committed to jail.
St. Louis Globe-Democrat, St. Louis, Missouri. Wednesday, 16 October 1878, page 1.
Same news story also appears in:
The Kansas Daily Tribune, Lawrence, Kansas. Thursday, 18 October 1878.
also in:
The Lawrence Tribune, Lawrence, Kansas. Thursday, 24 October 1876, page 3.
Change of Venue.
Special Dispatch to The Tribune.
Danville, Ill, Feb. 25. - In the case of the State vs. David Clem, for the murder of Milo Gritton last September near here, as published in The Tribune, Judge Nelson to-day granted him a change of venue to Iroquois County.
Chicago Tribune, Chicago, Illinois. Wednesday, 26 February 1879, page 5.
Clem.
Special Dispatch to The Tribune
Danville, Ill., March 20. - David Clem, who is charged with the murder of Milo Gritton, left here his morning, in charge of officers, for Watseka for trial. The people are represented by County-Attorney Jones, assisted by the Hon. J.B. Mann; the defense by Gen. J.C. Black and H.P. Blackburn, all of this place. Some sixty witnesses are summoned.
Chicago Tribune, Chicago, Illinois. Friday, 21 March 1879, page 2.
David Clem, for the murder of Milo Gritton, in Vermilion county, has been sentence to the penitentiary for one year. The case was tried in Iroquois county.
Mattoon Gazette, Mattoon, Illinois. Friday, 4 April 1879, page 4.
The Commercial says that the bail bone for the release of David Clem from jail went up to Watseka, Friday, and that gentleman now rejoices in personal liberty.
Champaign County Gazette, Champaign, Illinois. Wednesday, 23 July 1879, page 5.
David Clem, of Watseka, Ill., who has been tried for the second time for manslaughter, was found "not guilty" of the charge on the 26th. The verdict on the first trial was imprisonment for one year. The State was represented by State's Attorney Jones and J.B. Mann, of Danville, and the Hon. R.C. Wright, of Homer, Ill.; and the defendant by Gen. J.C. Black, of Danville, and M.B. Wright and T.P. Morris, of Watseka. The case was hotly contested, and the arguments masterly efforts.
The Pantagraph, Bloomington, Illinois. Saturday, 29 November 1879, page 1.
David Clem, who was tried lately in Watseka for the murder of one Gritton, near Danville a year ago, was acquitted.
Mattoon Gazette, Mattoon, Illinois. Friday 5 December 1879.
Buried:
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/137629380/milo-b-grittonMilo married Ellen Gerrard on 10 Mar 1869 in Vermilion County, Illinois. Ellen was born on 6 Mar 1846 in Marion County, Ohio; died on 17 Jul 1893 in Vermilion County, Illinois; was buried in Gordon Cemetery, Danville, Vermilion County, Illinois. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]
5. 
Ellen Gerrard was born on 6 Mar 1846 in Marion County, Ohio; died on 17 Jul 1893 in Vermilion County, Illinois; was buried in Gordon Cemetery, Danville, Vermilion County, Illinois. Other Events:
- Census: 1880, Blount Township, Vermilion County, Illinois
Notes:
Blount.
The farmers are all buy in the harvest fields putting up their hay and oats.
There will be a basket meeting at the Baptist church west of Snider some time in the future.
A gloom was cast over this community last Monday, by the death of Mrs. Ellen Shumate, at her home five miles northwest of Danville after an illness of some four or five months. Her funeral was preached by Rev. Dodson. He preached a very touching sermon and spoke words of sympathy to her family and friends.
Now the trials of life are past,
I am safely home at last:
Now my journey is complete,
I am signing music sweet.
Oh, those angels, how they sing
Praise to their Heavenly King,
And catch the sweetest song,
Now dear children, I'm at home.
She leaves a husband an five children to mourn her loss. She was buried at the Gordon cemetery. The pall bearers were Andy Sinkhorn, Henry Atwood, Lloyd Hillery, Charley Snider, William Hawkins and Mr. Brittingham.
Viola.
Newspaper clipping from Cora (Gritton) Hedges. No publishing information available.
Name:
daughter of John R. Gerrard and Leah Busick
Buried:
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/137629706/ellen-shumateNotes:
Married:
Marriage License Abstracts Vermilion County, Illinois 1853-1874. Page 57. J. F. Gritton signed for Milo Gritton.Children:
- Alpheus J. Gritton was born on 15 Dec 1869 in Vermilion County, Illinois; died on 4 Feb 1962 in Vermilion County, Illinois; was buried in Woodlawn Cemetery, Indianola, Vermilion County, Illinois.
- 2. Elmer E. Gritton was born on 21 Feb 1871 in Vermilion County, Illinois; died on 25 Nov 1948 in Los Angeles County, California.
- Effie May Gritton was born on 15 Aug 1877 in Blount Township, Vermilion County, Illinois; died on 12 Feb 1952; was buried on 14 Feb 1952 in Woodlawn Cemetery, Indianola, Vermilion County, Illinois.
- George Gritton was born on 11 Dec 1878 in Blount Township, Vermilion County, Illinois; died on 4 Feb 1961 in Kankakee County, Illinois.
6. Henry McClard was born in Oct 1857 in Tennessee. Other Events:
- Occupation: machinist
- Census: 1900, Indianapolis, Marion County, Indiana
Henry married Nancy Belle Crawford in 1885. Nancy was born on 10 Aug 1863 in Kentucky; died on 8 Jun 1916 in Urbana, Champaign County, Illinois; was buried on 11 Jun 1916 in Roselawn Cemetery, Champaign, Champaign County, Illinois. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]
7. Nancy Belle Crawford was born on 10 Aug 1863 in Kentucky; died on 8 Jun 1916 in Urbana, Champaign County, Illinois; was buried on 11 Jun 1916 in Roselawn Cemetery, Champaign, Champaign County, Illinois. Other Events:
- Occupation: housewife
Notes:
Urbana Woman Dead
Mrs. Nancy McClard Expired This Morning.
Mrs. Nancy McClard died this morning at 6 o'clock at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Elmer E. Gritton, 205 East Illinois street, Urbana, after a long illness due to cancer. The end had been expected for some time.
The deceased was born in Kentucky fifty-three years ago and had spent the past three years in Urbana with her daughter. She is survived by her husband and several children residing in Indianapolis.
The funeral will probably be held Sunday afternoon from the home with interment following in Woodlawn.
The Champaign Daily Gazette, Champaign, Illinois. Friday, 9 June 1916, page 5.
Buried:
Burial information from the Illinois Deaths and Stillbirths IndexChildren:
- 3. Docie Gertrude McClard was born on 28 Sep 1885 in Kentucky; died on 24 May 1956 in Los Angeles County, California.
Generation: 4
8. 
John R. Gritton was born on 20 Jul 1808 in Kentucky (son of Jesse Gritton and Sarah Brumfield); died on 30 May 1894 in Vermilion County, Illinois; was buried in Johnson Cemetery, Danville, Vermilion County, Illinois. Other Events:
- Census: 1850, Vermilion County, Illinois
- Census: 1860, Blount Township, Vermilion County, Illinois
- Census: 1870, Blount Township, Vermilion County, Illinois
- Census: 1880, Blount Township, Vermilion County, Illinois
Notes:
From History of Vermilion County. By H.W. Beckwith. Chicago, Illinois, H.H. Hill and Company, 1879. page 887.
J.R. Gritton came here from Kentucky in 1840, and bought land of the estate of Abram Rees. Mr. Rees owned a farm on section 23, and while at work building a mill at Denmark, died. Mr. Gritton had a family of five children, only three of whom survive. One was killed a year since by Mr. Clem, in a difficulty growing out of the lease of a piece of land. One of Mr. Gritton's first acts, after coming on to his farm, was the selection and planting of an excellent orchard, which, owing to his good judgement and care, was for a long time a source of increased revenue. Gritton's orchard was known far and near as one of the best in this neck of woods. He never has been a member of any church, but his conversation shows that he has a true appreciation of the results of a sincere religious life in a community like this. The now aged couple are saddened in their last days by the tragedy which took the life of a dear son.
(LKH Note: The son who was killed was Milo B. Gritton whose widow, Ellen Gerrard, later married Samuel Shumate.)
1850 US census, Census District No.21, Vermilion County, Illinois, enumerated 19 December 1850.
John R. Gritton, age 42, farmer, real estate $1200
Nancy, age 42
Laban, age 19, attended school
Jesse, age 14, attended school
Sarah, age 12, attended school
Rachel, age 10, attended school
Milo, age 8, attended school
Elizth, age 3
Neighbors are Spencer Cline, Jane Gritten, John B. Cline, Nathaniel Cline.
Value of neighbors' properties
Spencer Cline, $600
Jane Gritton, $400
John B. Cline, blank
Nathaniel Cline, $300
1860 US census, Blount Township, Vermilion County, Illinois. Enumerated 10 July 1860.
John R. Gritton, age 53, real estate $1600, personal estate $500
Nancy, age 52
Milo, age 18, attended school
Nancy E., age 14, attended school
1870 US census, Blount Township, Vermilion County, Illinois, enumerated 16 August 1870.
John R. Gritton,age 62, farmer, real estate $4800, personal estate $650.
Nancy, age 62
John, age 8, grandson, attended school
Charles, age 6, grandson, attended school
Nearby is the household of John F. Gritton, Sarah, and Catherine Cline. No real estate value, person estate of $335. Sarah is the mother of John and Charles.
1880 US census. Blount Township, Vermilion County, Illinois, enumerated 15 June 1880.
J.R. Gritton, age 71, farmer
Nancy, age 71, keeping house
John, age 19, grandson, farm laborer, attended school
Charles, age 16, grandson, farm laborer, attended school
Buried:
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/52622374/john-r-grittonJohn married Nancy Atkinson on 21 Mar 1831 in Mercer County, Kentucky. Nancy was born on 17 Oct 1808 in Kentucky; died on 17 Mar 1894 in Blount Township, Vermilion County, Illinois; was buried in Johnson Cemetery, Danville, Vermilion County, Illinois. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]
9. Nancy Atkinson was born on 17 Oct 1808 in Kentucky; died on 17 Mar 1894 in Blount Township, Vermilion County, Illinois; was buried in Johnson Cemetery, Danville, Vermilion County, Illinois. Notes:
Mortuary record.
Gritton.
Nancy, wife of J.R. Gritton, died Saturday at 9:15 p.m., of old age, she being 85. Funeral services were held Sunday afternoon at 2:30 from Union chapel, six miles north of Danville. Rev. Oscar Gravat officiating; text, 2nd Corinthian, 15:22. Interment in Johnson cemetery.
Nancy A. Atkinson was born in Mercer county, Kentucky, October 17, 1808, and was united in the bonds of wedlock to John R. Gritton, March 22, 1830. The result of that union was ten children, five boys and five girls, eight of whom have preceded their mother to the other shore.
The family emigrated from Kentucky to Illinois in the fall of1840 and settled on the farm where the subject of this sketch died.
Deceased was well liked by all who knew her and was a christian woman who "went about doing good" all her life.
Among the relatives left to mourn her death are forty grandchildren and fifty-four great grandchildren.
Newspaper clipping from Cora (Gritton) Hedges. No publishing information available.
Buried:
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/52622423/nancy-grittonChildren:
- Jesse Gritton was born in 1836 in Kentucky; died on 21 Sep 1865; was buried in Johnson Cemetery, Danville, Vermilion County, Illinois.
- Laben Gritten was born on 19 Jan 1832 in Kentucky; died on 28 Mar 1910 in Collison, Vermilion County, Illinois; was buried in Knights Branch Cemetery, Potomac, Vermilion County, Illinois.
- Ann D. Gritton was born on 9 Sep 1833 in Mercer County, Kentucky; died on 6 Apr 1918 in Danville, Vermilion County, Illinois; was buried in Johnson Cemetery, Danville, Vermilion County, Illinois.
- Sarah E. Gritton was born about 1838 in Kentucky.
- Richard Gritton was born about 1840 in Kentucky.
- 4. Milo B. Gritton was born on 2 Apr 1842 in Illinois; died on 18 Sep 1878 in Vermilion County, Illinois; was buried in Johnson Cemetery, Danville, Vermilion County, Illinois.
- Nancy Elizabeth Gritton was born about 1847 in Illinois.