"The BIOGRAPHICAL History of Clark County, Wisconsin"

Compiled by Franklyn Curtiss-Wedge, Chicago and Winona, H. C. Cooper Jr., & Co. in 1918, p.371 - 372.

                        Mr. & Mrs. F. M. Tuttle

FRANCIS M. TUTTLE, a well-known timber contractor residing in Abbotsford, is an old resident of Clark County, having arrived here as early as 1872, and during most of the time since then he has been connected with the lumber business. He was born in Auburn Township, Fond du Lac County, Feb. 5, 1848, son of Sherman B. and Martha (Brown) Tuttle. The father was born in New York State, and died Aug. 25, 1892, at the age of 78 years. His wife, a native of Vermont, died in 1908. From the East they moved first to Ohio, and then, in 1846, to Wisconsin, making the journey by wagon. On arriving in Fond du Lac County, Sherman B. Tuttle preempted eighty acres of land, which he broke and cleared with oxen. He resided there until 1874, after which time he made his home with his son, Francis M. He was a well-to-do man, progressive and energetic, and took an active part in public affairs. In politics he was a Republican, and for a number of years served on the town and school boards.

He and his wife had twelve children, of whom eight are now living, namely: Sheldon, Francis M., Sylvia, Martha, George, Jeanette, Sherman B. and Eugene. Those deceased are Henry, Melissa, Elmer and Emma. Francis M. Tuttle remained at home with his parents until he was 22 years of age. He then went to Dundee, Wis., where he engaged in business as a horse dealer. Three years later, in 1872, he came to Clark County and homesteaded eighty acres in Colby Township, on which tract he built a log, house and barn and began clearing the land, a task in which he was finally successful. He remained at that location for many years, and continued to own the farm until 1913, when he sold it. In 1877, Mr. Tuttle began logging for himself. Two years later he became foreman of camp for Marshall Peterson. A year or two after that he bought the timber of the old Spaulding place and during the following three years cleared up that tract. He then moved his outfit to Ellis Junction, operating there three seasons for Butler Mueller. In 1888, Mr. Tuttle erected a sawmill on his place in Colby Township and operated it for three years, after which he sold the outfit and bought a larger one, and for the next three years logged and sawed for the Upham Manufacturing Company of Marshfield. In April, 1907, he moved to Colby, where he resided until 1913, and while there was elected and did valuable service, both as supervisor of Colby village and alderman for several years. At the end of the period mentioned he came to Abbotsford, where he purchased a comfortable residence, and has since made his home. He has continued in the logging and sawmill business up to the present time, still taking timber contracts.

Mr. Tuttle was married Oct. 24, 1871, to Barbara Shanks, who was born in Sheboygan County, Wis., July 7, 1849, daughter of Thomas and Louisa (Larabee) Shanks. Both her parents were natives of Ohio. The father, a farmer, carpenter and millwright, and also a veteran of the Civil War, died in 1896 , at the age of 76 years. The mother died in 1862, at the age of 39. Of the twelve children born to them, five are now living: Celia E., Barbara A., Mary J., Sarah and Nelson. Those deceased are Amelia, Henry, Wilson, John, Marion, Nettie and Thomas. Mr. and Mrs. Tuttle have had ten children, whose record, in brief, is as follows: Thomas, born July 28, 1872, married Mertie Parker and lives at Abbotsford Frank, born Jan. 4, 1874, is residing at home Myrtle, born Oct. 31, 1876, is now Mrs. Oluf Olson of Neillsville Louisa, born Feb. 21, 1878., is the wife of Harry Fisher of Black River Falls, Wis. Roy, born Nov. 29, 1879, married Winifred Hubbel, and resides at Beach, N. D. Martha, born April 24, 1881, is now Mrs. Erwin Gallagher of Oregon, Wis. Sarah, born April 20, 1883, is the wife of Fred Olson of Cherokee, Wis. Lincoln, born May 21, 1885, is now in the United States service as a member of Company B, 107th Military Mounted Police Edwin, born April 21, 1891, married Mareelline Jacques and resides at Superior, Wis. Edwin, a twin brother of Edwin, died in 1894. Mr. Tuttle is a member of Colby Lodge, No. 234, 1. 0. 0. F., also of the Order of Owls and of the Guardians of Liberty. Mrs. Tuttle is a member of the Rebeekah Lodge at Colby.