Frank Pullen

As printed in 1906

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 A twentieth century history of Berrien County, Michigan (1906). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.