My Genealogy Hound

HIRAM LULL, an influential resident of Berrien County, and a successful farmer of Watervliet Township, was born in the town of Scipio, Cayuga County, N. Y., December 18, 1820, and is the son of Joseph and Lucinda (Colton) Lull. His paternal grandfather, Benjamin Lull, was born in Delaware and served in the war for independence, rendering gallant service in the cause of the Colonies. He and his good wife reared twelve children, six sons and six daughters, and of the former, Jacob, Benjamin and Joseph all attained to advanced ages.

About 1790 Grandfather Lull came West as far as New York, where he made settlement in Otsego County, purchasing a farm, which he cleared and improved. There he resided until, at the ripe old age of ninety-six years, he passed to his final reward about 1842. His wife survived him for a short time, her death occurring when she was about ninety-six. He had served in many official capacities and was well and prominently connected with the best interests of his community. In his religious views he was a Baptist, and held the office of Deacon in that denomination for many years.

Joseph Lull was born in Otsego County, N. Y., in February, 1792, and in an early day removed to Cayuga County, where he cleared and improved two hundred acres. In 1842 he moved to Clayton County, Iowa, where he entered one hundred and sixty acres and remained until his death, which occurred in April, 1851. His wife passed from earth in February, 1878, aged eighty-five. They were the parents of twelve children, and reared eleven of the number to maturity, as follows: Ora, Polly, Clarissa, Clarinda, Juliana, Rizpah, Abner, Walter, Melvin, George and Hiram. The father was a soldier in the War of 1812. In politics, he was a Whig and served in various official capacities, including the position of Justice. Religiously, he was a Baptist and was a prominent member of that denomination. His wife, the mother of our subject, was a native of Otsego County, N. Y., and was of Scotch descent.

At the age of fourteen, our subject began to earn his living on the farm, and three years later he commenced to work at painting, which occupation he followed for four years. He then purchased a small farm, consisting of fifty acres, and engaged in farming in Erie County, N. Y., whither he had removed in 1844 from Chautauqua County, his father having settled in the county last named in 1822. In May, 1855, he came to Michigan and settled near Big Rapids, where he entered three hundred and twenty acres from the Government. He cleared and improved one hundred and fifty acres of this tract, and at the same time conducted an extensive lumbering business. At different times he purchased land aggregating three thousand acres. He now owns two farms of two hundred and forty acres each, both well improved, and he also owns one hundred and sixty acres of timbered land in Muskegon County.

April 5, 1886, Mr. Lull removed to Van Buren County, where he commenced the cultivation of one hundred and forty-four acres. In November, 1860, he located where he now resides on section 12, Watervliet Township. His first purchase was eighty acres, but he has added to his property until he now owns two hundred and twenty-four acres, comprising two farms in two counties. He also owns a two hundred acre farm in northwest Missouri. In 1886 he lost his right foot, and since that time has been unable to perform the hard labor to which he was accustomed in former years. However, he is still active and energetic and superintends the entire management of his property.

In regard to social relations Mr. Lull is a Mason. He is an earnest Christian and has been a church member for more than forty years. Formerly he was a Baptist, but is now identified with the Congregational Church. In politics a Republican, he has been elected on the ticket of that party to various official positions. He has served as Supervisor for two terms and as Justice of the Peace for one term. In spite of the fact that he has lost over $40,000 in cash, and has given his sons more than $30,000, he still retains a sufficient amount of this world’s goods to enable him to surround himself and family with every comfort, as well as many of the luxuries of life.

September 5, 1842, Mr. Lull was united in marriage with Miss Lucinda Packard, who was born in the town of Yorkshire, Cattaraugus County, N. Y. Her father, Benjamin Packard, was a merchant in that village; he also followed farming pursuits and was engaged in business as an hotel-keeper. He was of Dutch descent, and in religion was a Universalist, and in politics a Republican. Mr. and Mrs. Lull are the parents of three children, as follows: Alphonso, a physician residing in Ft. Angeles, Wash.; Lorenzo, a lumberman of Washington; and Ozro, whose home is in Ottawa County, Mich. Politically, Mr. Lull was in former years a Whig, and is now strong in his adherence to the principles of the Republican party.