My Genealogy Hound

William M. Hull, one of Knox County’s most prominent, successful and influential citizens, now a resident of Benton Township was born in Center Co., Penn., August 5, 1824, and is the son of John L. and Mary (McCullough) Hull. The father was a native of New Jersey, born in 1798. Shortly after his birth his parents moved to Pennsylvania, and he made that State his home until 1829, when he moved to Hamilton County Ohio. In his boyhood he was bound out to a tailor, to learn that trade, and while following that he was drafted to serve six months, during the war of 1812, in the militia. After his time had expired he volunteered into the navy, and was in the engagement on Lake Erie, when Commodore Perry gained a brilliant victory. In this engagement young Hull, though not wounded, had holes shot through his clothes. For his gallant behavior and bravery the governor of Pennsylvania presented him with a silver medal, and a letter complimenting him on his bravery. This medal is still in possession of the Hull family. He worked at his trade until he moved to Ohio, when he abandoned that, and engaged in farming. He died in Whitewater Township, Hamilton Co., Ohio, September 17, 1841. In 1814 he married Miss Mary McCullough, a native of York County, Penn., born in 1791. She died in Hamilton County, Ohio, September 16, 1880, at the advanced age of eighty-nine. She, like her husband, was a member of the Presbyterian Church. Of their family of eight children, four of whom are living, our subject is the fourth. He received a liberal education in the schools of Hamilton County, Ohio, and was but seventeen years of age when his father died. He, nevertheless, took the reins in his own hands, provided for his mother, and helped to educate the younger members of the family. He remained in the State of Ohio until 1852, when he came to Knox County, Mo., and settled near Millport. Previous to this, February 13, 1851, he married Lavenia M. Rowe, born in Dearborn County, Ind., November 22, 1829, and the daughter of Conrad and Eliza (Lamden) Rowe. To this marriage were born seven children, six now living, viz.: Mary E., Louis C., William E., Elmer E., John R. and Estella. Thomas R. is deceased. In 1850 our subject moved to his present location, situated four miles north of Edina. He here owns 300 acres of splendid land. Our subject is a Republican in politics, and he, wife and family, with the exception of Mary E. and William E., are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church South.