James Edward Bull

A veteran of the Civil war, a business man of high standing, an enterprising citizen who discharged high public trusts, a husband and father whose presence and influence made the home circle almost ideal, and the memory of whose estimable qualities, loving ministrations and kindly deeds are a priceless heritage to his family and friends, is one of whom the biographer essays to write in this connection.

James Edward Bull, late of Greene county, who, for many years, was identified with the business interests of Lyons, was born January 11, 1845, in Greene county, Ohio, the son of Robert Scott and Ann (Reid) Bull, who were also natives of the Buckeye state. His mother dying when he was quite young, James E. Bull became an inmate of his uncle's home and remained with that relative until about his seventeenth year, working on the farm and attending the public schools in the meantime. At the above youthful age he responded to his country's call for volunteers, enlisting August 12, 1862, in Company H, Ninety-fourth Ohio Infantry, with which he shared the fortunes and vicissitudes of war in some of the most noted campaigns in Kentucky, Tennessee, Georgia and other states, participating in a number of battles, among which were Perryville, Stone River, Chickamauga, Chattanooga, Lookout Mountain, Missionary Ridge, the siege and fall of Atlanta, including the bloody engagements of Resaca, Kenesaw Mountain, Peach Tree Creek and later was with the command at Jonesboro and the capture of Savannah. His military experience covered three years of strenuous service, replete with duty faithfully and honorably performed, and at its conclusion he retired from the army with a record of which any brave man might feel proud, receiving his discharge on the 5th of June, 1865.

Returning to Ohio at the end of the war Mr. Bull resumed agricultural pursuits with his uncle, but four years later accompanied the latter to Greene county, Indiana, and during the ensuing twelve years was associated with him in business near Lyons. At the expiration of the time he engaged in the mercantile business at Lyons in partnership with James Carpenter, the firm thus constituted building up an extensive and lucrative patronage, and in due season becoming one of the largest and most successful commercial houses in the county. In 1886 he was the Republican candidate for county treasurer and after an animated campaign defeated his competitor by a handsome majority, and filled the office for four years, having been re-elected in 1888, proving a very capable and popular public servant. In 1892 he moved to Worthington, and in July of the same year engaged in the banking business at that place in partnership with T.C. Owen, O.F. Herold and C.C. Ballard, Mr. Bull being elected president of the enterprise. Subsequently he purchased the interests of these parties and effected a copartnership with Mr. Bilderback, who continued his associate until the subject's death, the business growing to large proportions the meanwhile, and becoming widely and favorably known in financial circles. Mr. Bull was clear-brained and a man of large business experience; as president of the bank displaying executive ability of a high order and a familiarity with matters of finance that won for him much more than local reputation. He remained at the head of the bank until his death, which occurred on the 7th of January, 1901, and to his sound judgment, judicious and efficient management and great personal popularity is due the continued success and stability of the institution at the present time.

In addition to the career as a merchant and banker Mr. Bull also served one term as county commissioner and for two years held the office of justice of the peace, in both of which capacities he displayed the ability and mature judgment characteristic of all his relations with the public. In social as well as business and official life he was the soul of honor; in brief, an intelligent, broad-minded gentleman whose virtues win the unbounded respect of his fellow men and whose influence was ever on the side of right, as he saw and understood it. The death of Mr. Bull at the time already mentioned, after an illness of one year's duration, was felt as a serious personal loss to the community, honored by his citizenship, while his long and useful life, fraught with good to all with whom he came in contact, won an honored and permanent plcae in the hearts and affections of his fellow men.

Mr. Bull, on January 19, 1871, was united in marriage with Julia Ann Miller, whose birth occurred at Cincinnati, Ohio, October 28, 1849, but who was removed to the town of Cedarville, Ohio, after the war, where she met Mr. Bull and there married him. Five children resulted from this union, namely: Vernie Irene, educated in Indianapolis and is still with her mother; Nellie Reid, also a member of the home circle; Oscar Dunlap died August 18, 1875; Roscoe Henderson, born August 26, 1882, died on the 23rd of September following. The youngest member of the family died in infancy, unnamed.

Mrs. Bull and daughters are stockholders and directors of the Commercial State Bank, which the husband and father founded, and, like the latter, are devoted to the interests of the institution and active in all of its deliberations. They have other property interests, including two fine farms and the elegant residence which they occupy, giving personal attention to the management of the estate in their possession. He was a member of the Grand Army of the Republic. Mr. Bull left a comfortable competency to his family.

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Biographical Memoirs of Greene County, Ind. With Reminiscences of Pioneer Days, Illustrated (1908, B. F. Bowen & Co. Indianapolis, Indiana) Vol. 2 Pg. 496-9.