Portrait and Biographical Album of Fulton County,
Illinois: containing full page portraits and biographical sketches of
prominent and representative citizens of the county: together with
portraits and biographies of all the presidents of the United States,
and governors of the state; Biographical Pub. Co., Chicago, IL; 1890;
page 259-260; Transcribed by Margaret Rose Whitehurst
Nathaniel Vittum. While Fulton County has much in the way
of natural resources and commercial transaction to commend it to the
public at large, the chief interest centers upon the lives of those
citizens who have achieved success for themselves and at the same time
benefited the community in which they reside. Prominent among
these men is he whose name heads this sketch, he having been one of the
early pioneers and taken an active part in laying the foundation for
the present prosperity of the county.
Grandfather Vittum was one of the first settlers in New
Hampshire, cutting his way into the forest, and receiving the deed to a
large tract of land for his settlement. His son Tuftine was the
first boy born in the town of Sandwich. On growing to manhood he
married Dolly Weed, who was the first girl born in Moltonboro, N. H.,
and whose parents, Moses and Dolly (Mugget) Weed, were very early
settlers in the Granite State and had been warm friends of the Vttums
for many years. Tuftine Vittum and his wife resided in their
native State throughout the entire course of their lives. To them
were born three children - Nathaniel, Daniel and Sally. An uncle
of our subject fought in the Revolutionary War and many relatives
participate in the War of 1812.
Nathaniel Vittum was born in Sandwich, N. H., March 30, 1804,
and grew to manhood in his native State, following farming as an
occupation. He at one time owned an hotel and was also interested
in the stage business. In 1825 he was married to Miss Clara
Palmer, a daughter of John and Sallie (Cannister) Palmer, who was from
early infancy a near neighbor of Mr. Vittum and is but four months his
junior, having been born August 17, 1804. Her ancestors in both
the paternal and maternal lines were from Holland. Mr. and Mrs.
Vittum are the parents of three children - Sarah, who married Joseph
Drake, both being now deceased; Daniel W., a prosperous farmer and
wide-awake business man of this county; and Martin, who died at an
early age.
Mr. and Mrs. Vittum came to this county from their native Sate
in the year 1847, purchasing large tracts of land which embraced about
five hundred acres. Their son had previously visited this section
in company with an uncle and considering it a most desirable place of
residence, had located here, and the father coming to visit him, was
equally well pleased. Mr. Vittum continued his agricultural
operations until his advancing years impaired his health and he retired
from business. He has been an active, hard-working man, devoting
much time to financial matters, but having achieved success, is now
enjoying life in a most comfortable way. He and his wife, who has
been his faithful companion for sixty-five years, occupy a cozy home in
Canton, where they are surrounded by admiring friends.
Mr. Vittum has taken great interest in politics, both in his
native State and Illinois, and has on many occasions been urged to
become a candidate for office, an honor which he kindly but firmly
declined. He was an old acquaintance of “Long John” Wentworth,
and many times while boys together in New Hampshire, they hauled wood
to boil maple syrup. Indeed, the Wentworths, Vittums and Weeds
were upon very intimate terms and the subject of our sketch frequently
visited Mr. Wentworth in Chicago. Both Mr. and Mrs. Vittum have
been connected with the Congregational Church for half a century.
