Barbour County AlArchives Biographies.....Edward Courtenay Bullock December 7 1822 - December 23 1861 ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/al/alfiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Ann Anderson alabammygrammy@aol.com May 12, 2004, 12:07 am Author: Brant & Fuller (1893) EDWARD COURTENAY BULLOCK. - A former biographer opens his sketch of this gifted man with these words: "Barbour cherishes the memory of the beloved and matchless Bullock. What a splendid future was for-bidden to be realized by Fate's harsh mandate in his untimely fall." It is not easy at this distance of time to get together a complete sketch of the life of this eminent subject, but from various authentic sources we are able to present the following: Col. E. C. Bullock was a son of a Charleston, S. C., merchant, who had come to that city from the state of Rhode Island, His mother was a Courtenay. He was born on the 7th of December, 1822, and was graduated at Harvard college in 1842, and the following year settled in Eufaula. For two years he engaged in the profession of school teaching, but used his spare time to such advantage that he was admitted to the bar in 1845. From this time until his death his career was one of marked success. He soon became connected in a law partnership with John A. Calhoun, a nephew of the immortal John C., and afterward a member of the firm of Pugh, Bullock & Buford. This was known as the strongest law firm in Alabama in days when the law was a profession worthy the best minds the country could afford. In 1857 he became the candidate of the democratic party for the state senate, and, being elected, filled that responsible position for four years with credit to himself and profit to the district he represented. Being an earnest advocate of the principles of democracy, as interpreted by Calhoun, he very, early in the struggle supported the doctrine of secession, and upon the election of Jefferson Davis to the presidency of the Confederacy he was selected to represent his state in the delivery of a formal address of welcome to the president and his party, as they entered her precincts for the inaugural ceremonies. The tocsin of war found him ready to defend his principles by action, and, resigning his seat in the senate, he became a private in the Eufaula rifles. While stationed at Pensacola his legal abilities were recognized by Gen. Bragg in the appointment of judge advocate, and upon the organization of the Eighteenth Alabama he was appointed its colonel. The regiment was stationed at Mobile, and it was while in the discharge of his duties here that he contracted the typhoid fever, which proved fatal to him. He had begged Gen. Bragg to let him be present at the bombardment at Pensacola, and the telegram announcing that event came on the very day he was first stricken. Rallying under the excitement of the occasion, he went immediately to Pensacola, but soon had to yield to the strong arm of disease. After three weeks he was removed to Montgomery by his friend, Dr. W. O. Baldwin, at whose house he died two weeks later, the 23d of December, 1861. He was buried Christmas day at Eufaula. Cut off in the very threshold of a brilliant career, Col. Bullock is mourned by a host of friends and his devoted family, while the state cherishes his memory in the name of one of her best counties. In his appearance he was most prepossessing. Tall and well-formed, in weight, about 160 pounds, with broad, intellectual forehead and large mouth, "his noble features in repose were only the princely castle at dusk before the lamps are lighted, and gave no idea of the magic transformation which in an instant the splendid illumination of his mirthfulness and genius could effect." Senator James L. Pugh said of him: "He was the best organized man I ever knew. His temper and taste were perfect. His whole nature was genial, refined and gentle. His mind was remarkable for its activity and brilliancy. His personal integrity and devotion to principle, duty, and truth were very striking. He was a fine lawyer and an able advocate; and his high personal character, honorable nature, and irresistible wit and elegance made him a lawyer and statesman of as high promise as any man who ever lived in Alabama." Those who were honored with his acquaintance in life remember him as a most brilliant conversationalist, and possessed of most wonderful powers of witticism. Indeed his happy facility in the use of wit was something remarkable. There was no effort; simply an irresistible bubbling up that convulsed his auditors while it left no impression of a studied effort. Col. Bullock was married in Eufaula, in December of 1845, to Mary Julia, daughter of Capt. William Snipes. To the marriage there were born four children: Eliza M., in charge of the Girls' high school, Montgomery, Ala.; Edward C., Jr.; Sallie, wife of I. R. Moulthrop, Eufaula, Ala., and. Hattie, who died in infancy. Edward C., Jr., only son of Edward Courtenay Bullock, was born on the 20th of June, 1849, in Eufaula, Ala. After attendance at the Jesuit college, near Mobile, Ala., for several sessions, he, in 1868, entered the drug house of Weedon & Dent, Eufaula, since which time he has given his entire attention to the business. He clerked for several years, then started a business of his own. Again he clerked for a period, when, in 1877, he began at his present location, where he conducts one of the= finest drug stores in the city. He was married in Eufaula on the 26th of April, 1883, to Eva, daughter of John O. Martin, and to the union have been born four children: E. C., Jr., Lela M., John M. and Clayton D. Additional Comments: from "Memorial Record of Alabama" This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.org/alfiles/ File size: 5.9 Kb