Elizabeth Rutan Hartle Grier was a well-known fixture in Hicksville Society in the nineteenth century and was called "Grandma Grier" respectfully. Born to Samuel and Mary Hartle on March 29, 1816, in Portage County, Ohio, she married David Greer sometime between 1836 and 1838. By 1840, the couple had settled in the Hicksville area.
In the 1860 census of Hicksville Township, D. (David) Grier, 46, a farmer, owned real estate valued at $2500 and had a personal worth of $957. The 1866 plat book showed that he owned 80 acres in Section 1 of the township. HIs wife, Elizabeth, 44, and children: Samuel, 20; Mary, 18; James, 16; and Charles 8 were with him.
On August 29, 1861, Elizabeth's oldest son, Samuel, enlisted as a Union soldier in the 21st Regiment, Company E. Not long after, her husband died in 1862, followed by Samuel, on March 23, 1863. Samuel died of gangrene from a gun shot wound in the flesh of his thigh received at Murfreesboro, Tennessee. He died in Hospital #3 on the field and was buried at what is now Stones River National Cemetery at Murfreesboro. His mother also put up a memorial stone in Six Corners Cemetery near Hicksville, where her husband is also buried.
As one could imagine, Elizabeth was handed a strong blow with the loss of her husband and her oldest son approximately a year apart from each other. She did, however, stay on the farm and she and the remaining siblings worked on it. In 1870, she was enumerated there at 55 years old with Harmon (Charles), 16, at school, James, 24, farming, and Francis, 23, keeping house. The real estate was then valued at $4000.
Elizabeth stayed on the farm and was still there in 1880. By this time, she was 64 years old and her daughter, Mary Hatery, lived with her, accompanied by Mary's three children: Terressa 15; Andrew, 13; and Effie, 11.
It was 1890 before Elizabeth applied for the military pension due her as the mother of soldier, Samuel Grier. She would have been eligible much earlier than this, so it is a mystery why she waited so long to apply.
Her life was well told in her obituaries and memorials, found in the Hicksville Tribune, April 22 and 29, 1909.
"Remembrance of Elizabeth R. Hartle - Greier
Grier, Elizabeth R. Hartle, daughter of Samuel and Mary Hartle, was born at Rootstown, Portage County, Ohio, March 28, 1816, and departed this life April 20, 1909, aged 93 years and 23 days.
She was married to David M. Grier in 1836, who departed this life March 1, 1862. To this union were born three sons and two daughters. The eldest son died at Murfreesboro, Tennessee in 1863. One daughter dying in infancy, the other daughter, Mrs. Hatery, died in 1901. She leaves to mourn two sons, seven grandchildren and ten great-grandchildren and many relatives and friends.
She was the eldest of a family of eleven children, all preceding her to the spirit world.
She was converted at the age of 19 years and united with the U.B. church and remained a faithful member until death.
She, with her husband, moved to Hicksville in 1840, meeting with many hardships and privations which she endured with christian fortitude. During her last illness, she was often heard praising her Master and patiently waited until he took her home..."
Hicksville Tribune, April 29, 1909
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"AGED LADY DEPARTS.
'GRANDMA GRIER' ANSWERS THE FINAL CALL AT AGE OF 93 YEARS.
Tuesday morning at the home of her son, Harmon Grier in Jericho, occurred the death of Elizabeth Grier, one of the oldest and most respected residents of this community. By the whole public, she was affectionately called Grandma.
She passed her ninety-third birth anniversary last month, and has been in critical health since even before that.
Funeral services will be held from the Radical U. B. church, Thursday morning at 11 o'clock."
Hicksville Tribune, April 22, 1909
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