Sedgwick County KSGenWeb

Portrait And Biographical Album of Sedgwick County, Kan.

Chapman Brothers 1888

Pages 332 - 333

PROF. U. P. SHULL, A. M., Principal of the Wichita High School, on Emporia avenue, came to the city in 1884. Here he continued to follow his profession, and now has three assistants. He is at the head of one or the best High Schools in the State of Kansas, and occupies an enviable position socially, and as a born and bred gentleman enjoys the esteem and confidence of many friends.

     Our subject is a native of Switzerland County, Ind., and was born Oct. 30, 1853. He is the son of Rev. Jacob and Lucinda (Cole) Shull, natives of Ohio, and of German descent. The father of our subject, who was the son of a farmer, was reared to agricultural pursuits, but being of a studious disposition was educated for the ministry of the United Brethren Church, to which he was ordained in Switzerland County, Ind. There he labored until life's decline, but, being fond of rural life took up his abode near Elvaston, Hancock Co., Ill., on a large farm of which he secured possession in 1867. The parental family included eleven children, of whom but six are living, namely: Rebecca, Mrs. Osborne; Alonzo; Mary, Mrs. Ball; Howard; Ulysses P. of our sketch, and Erasmus. Mrs. Lucinda Shull departed this life at her home in Indians, in 1859. The father is still living, but retired from active labor.

     Our subject, who is a student like his father, completed his education at Westfield College, and commenced teaching in a graded school at Annapolis, Ind. From there two years later he removed to Warren County, where he had charge of mathematics in Greenhill Seminary. His next position was Principal of the High School in Westfield, Clark Co., Ill., and from there two years later he went to Vermillion, Edgar County, where he also occupied the post of Principal, and which place he left in 1884 to take up his residence in Wichita. He received the degree of A. B. from his Alma Mater in 1879, and the degree of A. M. three years later, in 1882. As a member and active worker in the State Teachers' Association, and as an instructor in county Normal Institutes he has gained an enviable reputation, which is not only local, but general throughout the State.

     While a resident of Annapolis Prof. Shull was married, June 22, 1880, to Miss Etta, daughter of John and Mary (Evenger) Connelly, natives respectively of Kentucky and Ohio, and the father a farmer by occupation. John Connelly was born in 1812 and emigrated to Illinois in 1830, when a youth of eighteen years, with his father, Joel Connelly, who settled in Coles County during its pioneer days. The maternal grandfather of our subject, a minister of the United Brethren Church, was one of its pioneers in the counties of Coles, Edgar and Clark, and was largely instrumental in the building up of this church in that region.

     Mrs. Shull was born in Hutton Township, Coles Co., Ill., Feb. 8, 1855. Of her marriage with our subject there have been born three children, of whom but one is living, the youngest, Helen C., who was born June 18, 1886. Prof. Shull and his estimable wife are members of the Presbyterian Church, while our subject, politically, votes with the Republican party.

     Our subject purchased two lots where he now lives, and put up his present dwelling the first year of his residence in the city. He is also the owner of other property in the city, besides 160 acres of improved land in Sumner County.

     Mrs. Shull, like her husband, is a person of rare accomplishments and fine education, which she obtained mostly through her own efforts. She was only fourteen years of age at the time of her father's death, but became a student of Westfield College, paying her expenses by teaching during vacations. After being graduated she taught six years in Illinois. She made the acquaintance of her husband while pursuing her studies in Westfield College.

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