Story by Fred Gahimer
Isaac N. Gruell and Sarah J. Young were both born near Waterloo, Fayette County, Indiana; he on May 6, 1828, and she on September 22, 1829. When he was eight years old, Isaac came with his parents to Rush County near Rushville, where he was reared to manhood on a farm west of Rushville, receiving his education in the local schools.
For more information about Isaac’s younger years, see this story.
After his marriage to Sarah Young about 1850, he established his home in that same vicinity and spent the rest of his life there. Although he did not invest in a farm of his own, he rented and conducted large farm operations, and was successful in his undertakings. In addition to his farming, Isaac carried on a wide practice as a veterinary surgeon, and was widely known throughout Rush and neighboring counties.
Isaac and Sarah had eleven children:
- William H.
- Claburn
- Jennie (or Amanda)
- Harvina
- Charles M.
- George W.
- Lincoln
- Samuel
- Joseph
- Newton
- Albert
Isaac and Sarah did considerable moving within the county. In 1850, Isaac and Sarah were listed in the Federal Census for Orange Township, located in the southwest corner of the county. In 1860, they were located in Union Township, northeast of Rushville. He was listed as a farmer having $1200 in personal property. William H. (8) and Claburn (7) were in school, while the three younger ones were at home. In 1870, they were listed in Rushville Township, the central township containing Rushville. Isaac was still listed as a farmer, but his personal property was worth $600. William H. (18) and Claburn (16) were farming, Jennie (Amanda), Harvina, Charles, and George were in school, and Lincoln, Samuel, and James were at home, undoubtedly helping Sarah keep house. In 1880 they were living back in Union Township. William H. is still at home at age 28, but Claburn and Jennie are gone, leaving eight children still at home.
Isaac died on June 12, 1898. Sarah followed on May 15, 1903. Both are buried next to their sons Claburn and Joseph in the southwest corner of Section 6 of the East Hill Cemetery in Rushville.
The Rushville Graphic
May 19, 1903
Mrs. Sarah Gruell, widow of the late Isaac Gruell, of Union Township, died Friday evening at the age of 74 years.
Funeral services were held in St. Paul’s Methodist Episcopal Church in this city at 2:30 pm Sunday, conducted by Revs. V. W. Tevis and A. J. Sargent. Buried in East Hill Cemetery.
Little is known about Isaac’s parents, Atica and Rachel Gruell.