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Below is a family biography included in Book of Biographies: Biographical Sketches of Leading Citizens, Cortland County, New York published by Biographical Publishing Company in 1898.  These biographies are valuable for genealogy research in discovering missing ancestors or filling in the details of a family tree. Family biographies often include far more information than can be found in a census record or obituary.  Details will vary with each biography but will often include the date and place of birth, parent names including mothers' maiden name, name of wife including maiden name, her parents' names, name of children (including spouses if married), former places of residence, occupation details, military service, church and social organization affiliations, and more.  There are often ancestry details included that cannot be found in any other type of genealogical record.

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HARLAN P. HULL, a well known and prosperous farmer of the town of Homer, was born on the homestead where he now conducts his agricultural operations with his son, Harry E., June 1, 1836. He has lived on the old homestead all his life except two years, when he made his residence near by in the same township. It may be well said that he is one of the representative and solid men of the county, with which his whole career has been identified.

The Hulls are Scotch in descent. Seven members of the family, whose original home was near Norfolk, Conn., and whose parents were Joseph and Sarah Hull, came to Homer township, and each one of them took a farm in one locality and engaged in farming. The grandfather of our subject, Jeremy, who was born July 15, 1778, and David, whose birth occurred March 29, 1780, took up a tract of land in the north-western part of Homer township; a portion of this original property, 168 acres in extent, is now the home of our subject, Harlan P. North of them Zerah Hull settled, but he did not round out his life there, for he sold the property and moved to the State of Wisconsin, where his death took place. The farm is now owned by Watson J. Black. To the west of Jeremy and David settled James and Worden, the latter born February 2, 1789, their property consisting of 200 acres. Mrs. Susan (Hull) Pickett and her husband settled on a tract of 1 20 acres to the south and adjoining the farm of Jeremy and David. Joseph located on the road that is just across the valley from the rest of the family. All of them thus became residents of the north-western part of Homer township, and excellent citizens they made, and much is the town indebted to them.

Our subject’s grandfather, Jeremy Hull, married Lois Loomis, and had a family of five children: Louisa; Angeline; Joel; Lucina; and Jason, who died in youth. Joel Hull, the oldest son, was born in the northern part of the house in which our subject’s son now lives, and spent his entire life on the homestead engaged in farming. He was a Whig politically, and was a member of the Congregational Church of Homer, attending divine worship regularly, and living as consistent a life as was possible. He was born April 12, 1812, and passed to his reward March 2, 1892. His wife, Rebecca Fuller, bore him a family of four children, as follows: J. Dwight of Cortland, N. Y.; Harlan P., our subject; Mrs. Emma (Lewis) of the town of Homer; and Byron, who died young.

Our subject grew up to manhood and has lived all his life in Homer township, but is known throughout the county as a practical, honest farmer, whose word is as good as No. 1, hard wheat, and whose friendship is a thing to be prized and cherished. In politics he is a Republican, but takes no active part however. He is quite active in church circles, and is a deacon in the Homer Congregational Church. His first wife, Cornelia Rood, whose life was united to his December 16, 1862, died on December 9, 1867, aged 29 years, leaving one son, Harry E., who is associated with his father in farming. On October 9, 1872, Mr. Hull married his second helpmeet, Frances U. Rice, but no issue resulted.

Harry E. Hull, who was born October 4, 1865, was educated in the district school, and has lived on the homestead the most of his life. He takes upon himself most of the active oversight of the farm, and has made of himself a very successful farmer. He makes a specialty of dairying. In politics, his preferences are strongly Republican, although party influences have no great power over him. He is a member of the Homer Congregational Church, and is one of the society’s trustees. He is a member of Homer Grange, No. 834, Patrons of Husbandry. On February 6, 1889, he united his fortunes with those of Esther Leland, a daughter of James T. and Electa M. Leland of Homer township. Their three children are named: Edna C.; Egbert L.; and Dorothy M.

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This family biography is one of numerous biographies included in Book of Biographies: Biographical Sketches of Leading Citizens, Cortland County, New York published in 1898. 

View additional Cortland County, New York family biographies here: Cortland County, New York Biographies

View a map of 1897 Cortland County, New York here: Cortland County, New York Map

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