CHARLES
N. HULL, a prominent live stock dealer of Hopkinton, is
a native of Delaware county, Iowa, born in Delhi township,
October 8, 1850.
His father, H. O. Hull, was born in Illinois, where he
grew to manhood. He immigrated to Wisconsin in an early day and
resided there several years. He came to Delaware county about
1849, and entered government land in Delhi township. The country
was new and sparsely settled, and towns where business could be
transacted were few and far between. Dubuque was the nearest
town of any consequence, and many an early settler found it a
long and wearisome journey in going to and from that town. The
prairie abounded in wild game, deer, especially, being quite
plentiful. Roving bands of Indians frequently passed through the
settlement, stopping at the settlers' cabins for a mouthful of
something to eat. There were only a couple of shanties where
Delhi now stands. The county seat had not yet been determined
upon in fact there were no towns of any size in the county at
that time. Mr. Hull erected a log cabin and prepared to live in
true pioneer style. The cabin now stands on his old homestead.
He was twice married and the father of eighteen children. He
died in 1870, aged three score years and ten. He was for many
years a zealous member of the United Brethren church, and a man
highly esteemed by all who knew him. Charles N. Hull, the
subject of this biographical notice, was reared on his father's
farm and received a good common school education. He attended
Lenox College several terms during 1870 - 1871, but
circumstances over which he had no control prevented his
attending as regularly as he would have liked.
He began farming for himself in 1873, and he has steadily
pursued that vocation up to within the past few years. In 1880
he began buying and shipping stock, and has continued in the
business since. In the spring of 1888 Mr. Hull retired from
active farm life and moved his family to Hopkinton, where he has
a pleasant home. He is in partnership with Mr. Kehoe, and the
firm do an extensive implement business, besides buying and
shipping cattle and hogs. During the year 1889 this firm shipped
nearly five thousand head of cattle from this vicinity.
Mr. Hull married April 17, 1873, the lady of his choice
being Miss Sarah A. Gibbs, who was born in Cleveland, Ohio. This
union has resulted in the birth of three children, viz: William
H., born July 24, 1874, Walter G., born September 11, 1876, and
Jennie, born February 9, 1879.
Mr. Hull has always identified himself with the republican
party, but has never been an active political worker. He has
filled very acceptably some local offices, but he has never
aspired to public positions. He is a zealous worker in the
Masonic order. He owns a fine farm of three hundred acres in
Union township, most of which is well improved and under a high
state of cultivation. |