Sedgwick County KSGenWeb

Portrait And Biographical Album of Sedgwick County, Kan.

Chapman Brothers 1888

Pages 578 - 581 

WILLIAM H. TULL is finely located on ten acres of land in the southwest corner of section 35, Wichita Township, about four miles from Douglas avenue, and where he has a fine residence with attractive surroundings, a view of which we are pleased to present in this volume. He is now engaged in real-estate transactions, and is numbered among the well-to-do men of Sedgwick County, whose industry and economy have made him comparatively independent.

            The first recollections of our subject are of a modest home in Jefferson County, Ind., where he first opened his eyes to the light on the 3d of February, 1839. He is the son of Thomas and Mary (Field) Tull, natives respectively of Kentucky and Indiana, the former born in Grant County, Dec. 22, 1817, and the latter in Jefferson County, Nov. 27, 1818. The father was reared to farming pursuits, which occupation he followed his entire life. He left the Blue Grass State in 1833, and now makes his home with the subject of this sketch.

            The paternal grandfather, a native of Maryland, emigrated to Kentucky at an early day, and died there in 1829. The mother of our subject was afflicted with consumption, but was not considered in danger until a few days before her death, which took place July 14, 1881. She had been a member of the Christian Church for a period of twenty years. The children of the parental household are recorded as follows: Elizabeth was born May 8, 1840; Mary J., Jan. 26, 1842; Luvisa, Aug. 11, 1845; Thomas, Jan. 20, 1847; Elisha, Feb. 25, 1849. The other three children, including a pair of twins, died in infancy. Arena was born July 8, 1852.

            William Tull continued with his parents in Indiana until the outbreak of the Rebellion, when he had reached his twenty-second birthday. He then enlisted in Company B, 93d Indiana Infantry, and served in the Army of the Tennessee for a period of three years. He was present at the siege of Vicksburg, and was with Grant and Sherman on the Sturgis raid. He was captured by the rebels and confined in Andersonville Prison for eleven months. The sufferings and privations of that terrible time are matters of historical note. The youth and good constitution of our subject, however, enabled him to battle successfully with these, and upon his release he was mustered out and discharged at Camp Chase, in Ohio, in 1865.

            Before entering the army our subject had received a practical education, and upon returning to civil life engaged in general merchandising in Austin, Ind., where he continued until 1875. He then sold out and came directly to this county, and in company with his father, purchased a quarter-section of land in Wichita Township, upon which he at once commenced operations. He invested a part of his surplus capital resulting therefrom in a quarter-section of good land in Gypsum Township.

            Mr. Tull, in September, 1867, was married in his native county to Miss America Keach, who was born in Jackson County, Ind., Jan. 30, 1849. Mrs. Tull is the daughter of Alexander C. and Susan H. (Fislar) Keach, who were natives of Kentucky and Indiana respectively. Her father was born in 1822, and during the late war joined the Union army and was captured by rebels, remaining a prisoner a short time. He died on his return home, about 1865. His wife, who was born Oct. 2, 1824, is still living, and making her home in Jackson County, Ind. Both parents united with the Methodist Episcopal Church early in life. Their children were named respectively: Martha J.; John R., who also served in the army; James F.; America, Mrs. Tull; Louisa, deceased; Hester A., Willie H. and Mary. The two last named died in childhood.

            To Mr. and Mrs. Tull there were born five children: their eldest, Alzora, died when about two years old; Clarence, who is at home with his parents, and Willie, who died when an infant of four months. Arthur C. and Wilmer H. are at home. Clarence, the eldest son, a bright boy of seventeen years, suffers under the affliction of total blindness, the effect of neuralgia and spinal disease.

            Our subject and his wife are members in good standing of the Baptist Church. He is a Democrat, politically, and has served in his district as Clerk of the School Board. Socially, he is a member of the Masonic fraternity, and has held the various offices of his lodge. He also belongs to the American Legion of Honor, and Post No. 25, G. A. R., at Wichita.

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