Story by Fred Gahimer
All that is currently known about Atica Gruell is that he and Rachel were living near the little settlement of Waterloo in Fayette County, Indiana in May 1828 when their son Isaac was born. It is thought that they also had sons named William and John, and probably other children.
In 1836, Atica brought his family one county west to Rushville and where he operated a tannery for a number of years. He lived on a farm west of Rushville.
In 1850, the Federal Census shows Atica’s newly married son Isaac and his bride Sarah (Young) Gruell farming in Orange Township in Rush County. Lucinda Gruell, 43 years old, and five of her children were living nearby. She was the widow of Haddock Gruell, who is thought to be Atica’s brother. Also nearby are William and Minerva Gruell, and John and Emily Gruell, all farming, and probably either Isaac’s brothers or Lucinda’s sons.