The Pullen Families of Berrien County, Michigan

ROBERT PULLEN. In a history of the men of the past and present who have contributed to the development and upbuilding of Berrien county mention should be made of Robert Pullen, who for many years was connected with the development of the fruit industry of this section of the state. He was born in Kent, England, May 1, 1829, and when he passed away on the nth of December, 1904, at the age of seventy-five years his death was the occasion of deep and wide-spread regret. He was reared to manhood in his native country, learning the shoemaker's trade in early life. He came to America at the age of twenty-eight years, landing at New York, after which he worked at his trade in Syracuse, New York, for a time. Subsequently he took up his above near Rochester and about a year later was married there to Miss Lizzie Tyler, also a native of England. They had been friends in that country and had become engaged prior to their emigration to the new world. Mrs. Pullen crossed the Atlantic with her parents and soon after she gave her hand in marriage to Robert Pullen, they came to the middle west, settling first in Racine, Wisconsin, where Mr. Pullen worked at the shoemaker's trade. After a happy married life of five years the wife passed away, leaving a daughter, Lizzie, then four years of age.. She was reared by her grandparents in Wisconsin but often visited in Berrien county and since her father's death has made her home at Fair Plain.

Mr. Pullen afterward returned to Syracuse, New York, and at Brighton, near Rochester, where he had first married, he was again married, on the 9th of February, 1864, his second union being with Mary Bounds, a native of Northamptonshire, England, who came to the United States with her parents, William and Ann (Powell) Bounds, who settled in Brighton when she was seven years of age. Both her father and mother died at Poplar Grove, Illinois, the. former passing away in February, 1904, and the latter only six days later. Mr. Bounds, was eighty-eight years of age at the time of his demise, while his wife had reached the age of eighty-six years. They had removed to Illinois soon after their daughter's marriage and for a long period were residents of that state. The year 1904 was fraught with much sadness for Mrs. Pullen, for not only did her parents pass away in February but a brother at Appleton, Wisconsin, died about the middle of the year and her husband in the latter part of the year. From the age of seven years until her first marriage Mrs. Pullen Hved in Brighton. She married George Pullen, a younger brother of Robert Pullen, and within two years he-enlisted for service in the Civil war and was wounded at the battle of the Wilderness, the injuries causing his death four years later. He served in the army for nearly two years. He left his wife and one son George E. Pullen, six months old, at his father's home when he went to the front. After their marriage in 1864 Mr. and Mrs. George Pullen removed to Poplar Grove, Illinois, and engaged in the cultivation of a grain farm there in connection with his brother, Frank. In 1867, however, the property there was sold and Frank Pullen came to Michigan to secure a fruit farm. The same year Robert Pullen came and purchased a farm devoted to the cultivation of peaches. This property lay in Fair Plain and later was exchanged for the present Tiome of his widow in the vicinity of the original farm. Here Mrs. Pullen still resides and she has ten acres of land on Colfax avenue, Fair Plain. Robert Pullen also invested in other land and devoted his attention to fruit growing. For many years he engaged in the raising of peaches, but later the crop was taken by the yellow and lie grew berries. Subsequently, however, he gave considerable attention to grapes and again set out peaches, his fruit growing interests proving a success from a financial standpoint. He looked after his business interests up to the time of his death, employing hired help, however, to do the active work in the orchards. He found the climate conditions and society satisfactory at his new home and was always interested in the welfare of the county. He greatly enjoyed his work, bringing to it a zealand energy which were salient features in his success.

In his political views Mr. Pullen was a Republican but had no inclination to seek public office, his time and attention being devoted to his home and to other duties. He became a member of the Baptist church in early life, but later was identified with the Second Adventist Society, although there was no organization of that denomination in Benton Harbor. His connection with the church, however, continued for twenty years and he left one thousand dollars to that society to be used in the Advent Christian Baptist Publication at Mendota, Illinois, to advance Christian work. Unto Robert Pullen and his second wife were born no children, but Mrs. Pullen has a son. Rev. George E. Pullen, who is now a minister of the Second Adventist Christian Church and resides at Fair Plain. He is secretary of the Western Advent Christian Publication Association and is a regular weekly contributor to the paper, Our Hope, He married Ella Harris, of Berrien county, and they have two children, Ray and Hazel. Mrs. Pullen has taken part in various church activities and for many years she and her husband devoted one tenth of their income to the church work. She has a pleasant home and is a popular lady, esteemed for her many excellent traits of heart and mind. In all his life Mr. Pullen was straightforward in his dealings and honorable in his relations with his fellowmen, while in his family he was devoted to the welfare and happiness of his household. To his friends he was considerate and kindly and while carefully and successfully conducting his business interests he at the same time developed a character which made him a man of worth, respected by all with whom he came in contact.

As printed in the source¹. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

FRANK PULLEN. The Gables, the attractive home of Frank Pullen, is one of the best residences of Fair Plain and is indicative of the spirit of enterprise and progress which are dominant factors in the life and work of the owner, who has valuable fruit farming interests in Benton township. He was born at Tenterdon, County Kent, England, about fifty miles south of London, on the 2d of December, 1834. In his boyhood he served an apprenticeship at the shoemaker's trade, working at the start for a few shillings per week. When he had completed his apprenticeship he was employed as a journeyman in various towns in England, but ambitious to enjoy the best possible advantages he determined to seek a home in America, thinking that he might have superior business opportunities in this country. In his native land he received from three to five dollars per week, from which he had to pay all of his expenses and it took him two or three years to save the funds to meet the expenses of his passage to America on a sailing vessel, which was thirty-two days in making the voyage in the spring of 1854. He landed at New York city with but meagre capital and after reaching his destination— Brighton, New York, — he had but one shilling left. He worked for six months as a journeyman at the shoemaker's trade and also was employed in a nursery. In the fall of the same year he made his way westward to Racine, Wisconsin, by way of the lakes and secured employment as a shoemaker, but the following spring removed to a farm. He remained for sometime in Wisconsin and also visited Illinois, working as he could find opportunity until 1864. In that year he revisited New York and in 1865 he came to Michigan and purchased five acres of land which was covered with stumps. He had a brother-in-law who had visited this state and it was his report that led Frank Pullen to come to Berrien county. He paid one hundred and forty dollars for his land. It was then thought that fruit growing could not be profitably followed to any great extent here. Mr. Pullen made a small payment on his farm, but had to incur an indebtedness to secure the property. He erected a little dwelling and planted his land to small fruits. Finally he set it out to peaches, but the yellow destroyed his orchard. He lived upon that place on the St. Joseph side of the river for three or four years, after which he secured his present land at Fair Plain, it being set out to fruit at that time. He continued to own the former place about two miles distant and finally planted it to fruit, after which he sold it for less than he had paid for it. Subsequently he bought ten acres of land bordering the river at six hundred dollars, which he afterward sold for three thousand dollars. This farm he planted to berries and grapes and both yielded big crops which brought good prices and thus he gained a position of affluence. During the same time he invested in twenty acres of land on Napier avenue, for which he paid two thousand dollars and which he still owns. This has repeatedly paid him in large crops of blackberries, peaches and grapes. His different tracts of land have brought good returns and altogether he has prospered as the years have gone by. After operating the river place for twenty years he sold it for three thousand dollars. His home place is set out to peaches and grapes and he has grown for commercial purposes. When the peaches were destroyed by the yellow people were very despondent, but it was soon found that berries could be profitably raised and many of the horticulturists gave their attention to the small fruits until peaches again became a profitable crop. Mr. Pullen operates his own farm, giving to it his personal attention. He has also invested to some extent in real estate and has loaned money. He has erected his present home, a fine residence known as The Gables, which is one of the best in Fair Plain.

Mr. Pullen was married in Wisconsin to Miss Mary Tyler. with whom he traveled life's journey happily together for thirty years, when she died in Fair Plain. They had no children who reached adult age. His second wife, who bore the maiden name of Helen Scribner Ricks, was a native of Hampshire, England, and Mr. Pullen returned to that country for her. He was formerly a member of the Baptist church and his wife was reared in the Episcopal church, but neither are now sectarians. In his political views Mr. Pullen is a Republican, but does not seek or desire office, preferring to give his attention to his business affairs, which are now bringing to him a very desirable income.

As printed in the source¹. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

GEORGE P. PULLEN is a well known fruit farmer, whose orchards constitute one of the attractive features of the landscape in Oronoko township. His place is located on section 3 and he seldom fails to raise good crops. It is only when nature in adverse mood counteracts his labors that he does not secure a large harvest of peaches and other fruits, for he buys only the best nursery stock and is thoroughly familiar with the best methods of caring for his trees, being justly accounted one of the leading horticulturists of his community.

A native of the far-off state of Maine, Mr. Pullen was born in Franklin county, February 22 1847. His father, Charles B. Pullen, was likewise born in the Pine Tree state and was a farmer by occupation. He removed from Franklin county to Kennebec county, Maine, and in 1862 left the east, making his way to Berrien county, Michigan, at wliich time he took up his above upon the farm where his son George now resides. Here he carried on general agricultural pursuits until his later years and he passed away at the advanced age of four score years. While in Maine he held various offices and was a very public-spirited man whose cooperation could be counted upon to further movements for the general good. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Orenza Spaulding, was born in New Hampshire, and spent her last days in Oronoko township, where she died at the age of eighty-four years. In the family were five children who reached adult age.

George P. Pullen was the fourth member of the family and the second son. He was reared in Maine to the age of sixteen years, and with his parents came to Berrien county, Michigan, in 1862. Here he has resided continuously since and has so lived as to win the respect and good will of his fellow townsmen, while with a constantly enlarging acquaintance his circle of friends also proportionately increases. In 1867 he was married to Miss Hannah Sylvester, who died, leaving five children: Walter S., now living in Allegan, Michigan; Dora E., the wife of George H. Paris, living in Honolulu, Hawaii Islands; Emma, the Avidow of M. Wollam; and George P., who is on the farm with his father. After losing his first wife Mr. Pullen wedded Mrs. Mary E. Ross, the widow of Ira Ross, and a daughter of David H. and Elizabeth (Gregg) Fogle. Mrs. Pullen was born in Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, and was but a young girl when her parents removed to Ohio, whence they came to Berrien county, Michigan, in 1863, settling in Royalton township.. The home farm of our subject and his wife comprises one hundred and eight acres of land, upon wliich his father located many years ago and he also has a small fruit farm in St. Joseph township near the city of St. Joseph on Highland Park avenue. He has lived for forty-four years in Berrien county and during the greater part of this period has been connected with agricultural and horticultural interests and since carrying on business on his own account he has made steady and consecutive progress toward the goal of prosperity. His political allegiance has been given to the Republican party since 1896. He is a man of firm convictions and always stanchly upholds a course that he believes to be right.

As printed in the source¹. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.