BIO of CALEB HULL

Russia, NY




Information about Caleb Hull, born in Russia, NY, was contributed by his great-great-nephew John Blair!



From: "History and Biography of Meeker County, Minnesota," published 1888, page 192.

CALEB HULL, a prosperous and enlightened farmer of Dassel Township, having his home on section 10, is a native of Berhimer (sic) County, NY, born in the town of Russia, Sept 26, 1824, and is the son of Benjamen and Betsey (Clapper) Hull, natives of Rhode Island and New York respectively. Benjamin Hull removed to Dodge county, Wis, in 1851 where he died in 1861; his wife some years later came to Meeker County, and died at Forest City in 1877.

The subject whose name heads this personal sketch, commenced at the age of thirteen years to learn the shoemaker's trade, and after devoting threeyears to it, went to St. Lawrence county, NY, whither his parents had removed where he made his home for three years. Coming West, he spent the same period of time in Jefferson County, Wis, and then was engaged in the pineries of that state for six years. On his return, he built a house at Hustiford, Dodge county, Wis, but from there went to the Michigan pineries, where he spent some three years more, and then came back to Dodge county, where, December 1, 1855 he united in marriage with Miss Eunice Frost. The next year of his life was passed in Watertown, Wis., after which he removed to Freeborn County, Minn., and purchased 160 acres of land on section 6, town of Freeman, where he settled. While there, he followed hunting and trapping to a great extent and found it highly remunerative; so much so as to enable him to provide his family with many comforts that the other new settlers could not reach. While there engaged, came the news of the Indian outbreak of 1862, and most of his neighbors fled panicstricken, but he would not go. One day, while returning from his work in Iowa, he met a number of his neighbors who advised him not to go home, saying, wit: their selfish instincts uppermost, that by the time he got there, his family would be murdered and his home in flames, as the Indians were close behind; but, nobly responding to his duty, which called him to the defense of his family, he went on and found all peaceful at home, and the danger much magnified by their fears and abject terror. He remained in Freeborn county some nine years and then sold out and came to Meeker County, arriving here July 7, 1867. He took up a homestead on section 10, where he now lives, but lived in Darwin until the spring of 1868, and then moved into a log cabin, where the family lived until he could get a house built, which stood where present cottage now stands. This latter was erected in 1879, at a cost of $1000, and is handsome, neat and commodious, and he has a fine farm of 120 acres of excellent land.

Mr. and Mrs. Hull have had a family of six children, four of whom still survive- Augustus, living in Dakota, Ida E., Mrs. Charles Penney of Dassel; Lillie B., and Mark W., at home. Mr. Hull has served in several official positions, chief among which was that of chairman of the town board of supervisors.

Following is the obit for Caleb Hull from the Annandale Advocate, Feb. 6, 1908 last page column 2:

"Caleb Hull who has resided in the village for the past fifteen years died last Friday afternoon after a brief illness. He had reached the ripe age of 84 years. A wife and two children are left. Mark Hull of St. Paul and Mrs. Ida Penny of Dassel mourn his death. The funeral services which were largely attended were held from the A.C. church on Sunday afternoon. Rev. J.F. Whitman, officiating. The interment was in Woodlawn cemetery."

CALEB V. HULL County of Wright, Village of Annandale
Date of death: July 31, 1908 4:00 PM
DOB: Sept 26th, 1824, age 83 yrs, 4 mths, 5 days
Married 29 years, 6 children, 2 living
Birthplace: Russia, Herkimer Co. NY
Name of Father: Benjamin Hull
Birthplace: Rhode Island
Name of Mother: Betsey (Claffer/Clapper??) Hull
Birthplace: NewYork
Occupation: Retired Farmer
Informant: Albert L. Schaum/ Annandale
Cause of death: old age, chronic nephritis
CERTIFICATE: 14957/5428


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Created 8/6/02
Copyright © 2002 John Blair
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