Tuttle - Joseph F.
Source: Crawfordsville Weekly Journal 21 June 1901 p 7 (there is more earlier about the college and its presidents but this is mainly the part about his death)
The great civil war was raging in all its fury, the young men were at the front, and money, an essential something in the maintenance of a college, was scarce. The current expenses of the college were cutting into the meagre endowment at the rate of nearly 33,000 a year. The outlook was not bright. The new president, however, had brought with him a personal endowment of executive ability, strength of character, social charm, and, above all, an unfaltering faith in an overruling Providence. It is scarcely necessary to review for the readers of THE JOURNAL the career of Dr. Tuttle during the thirty years he presided over the affairs of Wabash college. It is a familiar story here where the splendid buildings of Wabash college and the fruitage of her educational work stand as his cenotaph. His admirable administration was marked by so much firmness, kindness, and common (sense that he endeared himself to every student who came under his rule and the sanctuary he holds in their hearts will keep sacred while memory lasts). A teacher in the best sense of the word, a strong man and a good man the impress of his life upon the educational growth and the sterling manhood of the west is incalculable.
When in 1892 he retired from the presidency of the college he left the institution with an endowment of about half a million dollars and an attendance of nearly 300.
Dr. Tuttle was not only a college president and teacher but he was recognized as one of the strongest sermonizers in his denomination and a public speaker of unusual merit. He was an author of repute also and a contributor to the secular and religious press. His reviews and papers for several of the leading historical societies of the country have been regarded as especially authentic and valuable. He published a number of books, notably "The Life of William Tuttle," "Way Lost and Found," "Self Reliance," "History of Morris County." His- public addresses were always clear and strong, and his address upon the death of Governor Morton was quoted far and wide as a model. On July 4,1S84, he was made a member of the "Society of the Cincinnatus," and at the semi-centennial of Marietta college in 1885 he delivered the memorial address and was given the honorary degree of Doctor of Laws.
After retiring from the presidency of Wabash college, Dr. Tuttle passed his life easily and delightfully at his home. Each Monday morning he presided at the college chapel, but concerned himself regarding no especial duties. Still he constantly devoted to church, college and family he grew old so gracefully, so beautifully, that his life seemed an inspiration.
In his home life Dr. Tuttle was particularly [happy. Spared to the last the companionship of his devoted wife he had in addition his daughters, Mrs. E. B. Thomson and Mrs. C. L. Thomas as neighbors, while his sons, J. F. Tuttle, Jr., of 'Denver, and Arthur W. Tuttle, of Wisconsin, were his frequent visitors.
In 1895 he celebrated with Mrs. Tuttle their golden wedding, and the remarks made by him that evening in his parlors to the company of friends there assembled will always be remembered by those who heard them as almost sublime. Those few words from a pure man in sweet old age were more eloquent and more persuasive to rectitude of life and conduct than the famous treatise of Cicero. In his latter years his life so quiet and serene seemed to take upon itself something of the glory of the declining sun, which softens all the clouds of evening and, sinking, leaves behind it a warm and mellow after-glow.
THE LAST RITES.
Funeral Services are Held Tuesday for the Late Joseph Far/rand Tuttle.
The college ceremonies incident to the funeral of ex-President Joseph F. Tuttle, were held last Tuesday. At 10 o'clock a number of the alumni, trustees, faculty, former students and the present students of Wabash college gathered at Center hall and marched in a body to the Tuttle residence to act as an escort to the body to the Assembly hall, where the ceremonies were to be held. At 10:30 the procession reached Assembly hall, being headed by the faculty, trustees and the visiting alumni of the college, and the student body following in the class order. The pall bearers were Messrs. Tuttle, Bodine, Studley, Osborne, King, Thomas, Milford and Kingery. Arrived at Assembly hall the body was conveyed to a position immediately in front of the platform, which had been banked with palms, cut flowers and potted plants in beautiful profusion. The American colors were intertwined with crepe and formed a conspicuous part of the decoration. The hall was filled with friends and admirers of Dr. Tuttle when the hour of the services had come, and a large number ^of visiting alumni and friends were present. The faculty and the speakers occupied seats on the platform, the services being in charge of President Kane. Seats had been reserved in the front part of the hall for the escort and they were all filled when the services began. The services were opened with music by a quartette composed of Messrs. Davis, Bodine, Moore and Klass, and following this was the invocation by Dr. Hains, of Indianapolis. The scripture reading was by Rev. A. •J. Alexander, of Center Presbyterian church, and at its close President Kane made an address. He stated that it had been thought proper to have a distinctively college service in order to afford an opportunity to the many friends of Dr. Tuttle to pay him their respects. Dr. Kane then spoke of the long life of Dr. Tuttle as president of Wabash college, and said that since his retirement from the presidency his life had never ceased to be an inspiration and a help to the college. He said that the deceased had left a definite impress upon Wabash college and that no man had brought into the college so much of himself as had Dr. Tuttle. He referred to the first graduating class under President Tuttle's administration and how proud Dr Tuttle had been of it, nine of its ten members marching from the graduating exercises to the recruiting, stand and enlisting for the civil war. The speaker stated that Dr. Tuttle was noted for his unselfish and untiring devotion to the college, and that his work had been bravely and efficiently done. Dr. Tuttle's administration came at a crisis, in the affairs of the college but that he had met it and came out victorious, devoting his whole time and part of his meagre salary to help the college out of its early financial difficulties, and that for a time he did the work of three men, being the pastor of Center church, holding a regular chair in the college and acting as the college agent. Dr. Kane said that the chief element of Dr. Tuttle's power lay in the fact that he was a genuinely transparent man—cultured, sympathetic, earnest and whole souled—influencing men simply by his presence and convincing them of the purity of his character by his daily life. The deceased was fearless and determined in doing what he thought was right, making no compromise with evil, and was a man of noble impulses and wide influence. Dr. Kane stated that he counted it a precious privilege to have known Dr. Tuttle for twenty years and to have come under the power of his beautiful life.
At the close of President Kane's address there was another song by the quartette and then Professor John L. Campbell spoke. Dr. Kane stated, in announcing Dr. Campbell, that he was the only remaining member of the faculty that was associated with Dr. Tuttle during his entire presidency. Dr. Campbell spoke feelingly and tenderly of his long association with the deceased and stated that not only had he been associated with Dr. Tuttle in his college work but that he had been a neighbor and intimate friend through all the years of his life here. He paid a loving tribute to the many admirable qualities of the ex-president as a man and as a college official.
Dr. John E. Cleland, of Indianapolis, followed Dr. Campbell. Dr. Cleland was a member of the first graduating class under Dr. Tuttle's administration, the class of 1862, and he said that the years had shown the wisdom of the choice of Dr. Tuttle for the president of the college and that he had proved a loyal man to the college and to his country. He said that Dr. Tuttle had inspired his students with all the things that were good and had been to them a close friend and adviser, binding them to him by the golden cords of love.
After music by the quartette Dr. Kane announced that Gen. Lew Wallace would speak for the citizens of Crawfordsville. Gen. Wallace spoke of Dr. Tuttle as a citizen and said that the sympathies of the citizens were extended to the family and friends to-day in their great loss. He. said that the deceased was loved and profoundly respected by all, and that he had proven himself a fellow citizen by his active interest in anything that was for the good of the city. Gen. Wallace stated that Dr. Tuttle was possessed of four great passions: First, he loved God and bent his whole life in obedience to Him, land that nobody had succeeded better than he had in making his life a living example of the true Christian. Second, he loved his family, and to them he had proved a loving, self sacrificing and kind father and husband. Third, he loved his country. His patriotism and confidence never faltered even in the darkest hours and he always said that right would win for right was God. Fourth, he loved Wabash college, and had devoted thirty of the best years of his life in building up an institution that would be a credit to the city and to his Master. The speaker said that it would be a long time before Dr. Tuttle would be forgotten. That his kindly, smiling face, his dignified presence, his congenial character, and his cheery salutation were known to every child in Crawfordsville almost and be was looked upon by them to be what he was—a good and Godly man, serene in the knowledge of a life lived as his
Master would have it lived, a man among men, whom it was a pleasure and a benediction to have known.
At the close of Gen. Wallace's remarks, Rev. George L. Mackintosh, of Indianapolis, made the closing prayer, which was beautiful in its thought and resignation to the will of God.
President Kane then announced that the friends that wished to take a last look at the face they all loved would have the opportunity at that time. He stated that as a peculiar coincidence just one year ago the faculty, trustees students met to accept a bust of the deceased. Many availed themselves of the opportunity of viewing the remains, the audience coming first, then the students and alumni, and lastly the acuity and trustees. The casket was then closed and the body escorted back to the residence, the college bell tolling as the body was being brought and taken away.
FUNERAL AT THE HOME. In the afternoon at 3 o'clock the final services were held at the home on College Hill, a large concourse of people there assembling. Rev. A. J. Alexander conducted the services, and was assisted by Dr. Nave and Dr. Kane. A quartette composed of Mrs. Crane, Miss Moffett, Prof. Bodine, and Mr. Moore sang. The pall bearers were Prof. Campbell, Prof. McLain, Judge Paxton, Judge Thomas, H. H. Ristine and Benjamin Crain. The faculty of the college acted as honorary pall bearers. Following the services at the house the interment was made at Oak Hill, and the mortal body of a truly great and good man was returned to the earth whence it came.
DR. JOSEPH F. TUTTLE.
The following' resolutions were passed by the students of Wabash college at chapel Tuesday morning:
WHEREAS: It has pleased an all-wise Providence to call from this earthly life the spirit of our beloved ex-President, Dr. Joseph F. Tuttle, who, after a short illness, went to his eternal home on June 8, 1901, and
WHEREAS: By the death of Dr. Tut tie, Wabash college has lost a firm friend, and the cause of Christian education a devoted and faithful supporter, whose life was full of years, of honor, and of love for his Master, and whose good works revealed the depth of soul of the man himself, and
WHEREAS: We, the students of Wabash college, have lost a sincere friend and brother, whose daily life truly exemplified the teachings of the Master, and whose life and character have been to us an incentive to higher things, and whose memory shall ever be an inspiration to attain a broad manhood, and cling to a noble purpose in life therefore be it
Resolved: That we hereby express our love for his noble character, and our deep, respect for his memory.
Resolved: That we extend our sincere sympathy to the bereaved family, and that a copy of these resolutions be sent to them.
Resolved: That a copy of these Resolutions be placed in the college library, and that they be published in the Wabash, and in the city papers.
Source: Crawfordsville Weekly Journal Friday, 14 June 1901
On Saturday afternoon at a quarter past four o’clock, Dr. Joseph Farrand Tuttle died at his home on College Hill. The end came as sleep comes, so quietly and peacefully that those about him could scarcely believe that it was really death.
On Sunday, June 2, Dr. Tuttle made his last appearance in public, attending the morning service at Center Church Denver
The news of Dr. Tuttle’s death was soon known all over the city and upon every side were heard words of profound sorrow and sincere expressions of sympathy for the one left desolate in the home. Perhaps no man ever lived here with a wider circle of loving friends, and certainly no one in this community was ever more admired and respected by all classes and conditions of people. The prime of his long and useful life was passed here and was zealously devoted to good works. His force, his ability, and his great humanity rendered this work of a mighty power, and Wabash College
Joseph F. Tuttle was born in Bloomfield , New Jersey , March 12, 1818, his father being the Rev. Jacob Tuttle, a Presbyterian minister of considerable repute in New England . Joseph was a bright boy in the subscription schools which he attended, and from the time he was ten until he was fourteen years of age he was a student in the Newark Academy Ohio Ohio Princeton and was taking a short vacation before entering upon a professional life. Scholarly, cultured, and brilliant, he impressed upon Joseph the fact that education had placed a gulf between them, a gulf which not all the rich, broad acres of Ohio Marietta College New Jersey Marietta
In 1841 he was graduated, being the valedictorian of the class. While a student at Marietta he decided upon the Christian ministry and determined to attend the Lane Theological Seminary at Cincinnati Marietta New Jersey Delaware , Ohio New England town, a people substantial, cultured, and thoroughly devoted, a work established and easy to the hand of one so gifted as Joseph Farrand Tuttle. His Alma Mater in recognition of his distinguished work conferred on him—first of her alumni to receive it—the honorary degree of Doctor of Divinity. The lines had fallen to him in pleasant places. In 1862, however, a call came to him out of the west. A struggling little institution at Crawfordsville , Ind.
(*Was to be continued on page 7, but missing)