Biography of Russell L. Hull, pages 520/521.  History of DeKalb County 
Indiana; B. F. Bowen & Company, Inc., Indianapolis, 1914. 



Russell L. Hull

Holding prestige among the successful business men of today, the 
subject of his review has had much to do in advancing the material 
interests of Waterloo, DeKalb county, and making it one of the 
important commercial centers of this section of the state. The study of 
such a life cannot fail of interest and incentive, as he is 
distinctively representative of his sphere of activity and has 
contributed in no small measure to the prosperity of the city which is 
his home and field of operation, at the same time establishing a 
lasting reputation for honor and integrity. Russell L. Hull was born on 
September 2, 1872, at Sechlerville, Wisconsin, and is the son of George 
M. and Hannah B. Hull. George M. Hull was a soldier in the Civil war, 
performing valiant service in the defense of this country in her hour 
of need, and now lives in Washington D.C., where for sixteen years he 
has been in the government civil service, being employed in the postal 
department at Washington. A son, Merlin, is prominent in the public and 
political life of Wisconsin, and during the sessions of 1912-13, he was 
speaker of the lower house in that state Legislature. When Russell L. 
Hull was but a child the family moved to Black River Falls, Wisconsin, 
where he received his education, graduating from the high school; then 
for a year he faithfully studied law with the intention of making that 
his life work, and at the age of twenty years started east, his 
intention being to enter Judge  Skillett’s office at Bryan, Ohio, and 
there perfect his legal studies.  However, he was persuaded by a 
relative to stop at Waterloo and take charge temporarily of the butter, 
egg and poultry business owned here by Beyer Brothers Company. At that 
time it was a small affair, having just been started and employing but 
two wagons in the buying up of produce in and about Waterloo. Beyer 
Brothers had other well established houses through Indiana, but the 
plant at Waterloo was their baby in age and its growth from the time 
Mr. Hull took hold of it was phenomenal.  He showed a remarkable 
aptitude for the business, being quick and decisive and energetic, and 
so eminently satisfactory have his services been to the Beyer Brothers 
Company that he has been retained at the head of the Waterloo business 
ever since.  The business has grown to such an extent that it required 
the erection of a large brick building, and both teams and automobiles 
are used in the gathering of produce, eggs and poultry for the market.  
The stuff is shipped to New York, Providence, Albany and other eastern 
points, the annual shipments amounting to about seven hundred and fifty 
thousand pounds of poultry, and from fifteen to twenty thousand cases 
of eggs, thirty dozen to a case. Mr. Hull has full charge of the uses 
in every detail and to his watchful attention of the market is largely 
due the success which has attended his efforts, for there is hardly a 
line of marketable produce which is more liable to fluctuations than 
that of poultry and egg market. By his strict attention to business, 
his genial disposition and his sterling integrity Mr. Hull has gained a 
favorable reputation throughout DeKalb county, and among his large 
circle of acquaintances he numbers many warm personal friends. 
Politically, Mr. Hull gives his support to the Republican party and in 
1902-3 was a member of the state Legislature as representative from 
DeKalb county.  He was a member of the Waterloo town board prior to 
this. In everything affecting the welfare of Waterloo and vicinity Mr. 
Hull has taken a commendable interest, giving his support to the moral, 
material and educational upbuilding of the town. On June 4, 1896, Mr. 
Hull married Nettie E. Chamberlain, the daughter of Dr. J. W. 
Chamberlain, who is represented elsewhere in this work.  Mr. Hull is a 
member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and of the Free and 
Accepted Masons, and in his daily life he endeavors to exemplify the 
sublime precepts of these honored orders. Because of his splendid 
record since locating in Waterloo, and his genuine worth, he is 
eminently entitled to representation in this work.



Submitted by:

Arlene Goodwin

Auburn, Indiana

Agoodwin@ctlnet.com