Barton County KS Archives Biographies.....Mull, William 1872 - 
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File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by:
Joy Fisher sdgenweb@gmail.com November 9, 2005, 10:03 pm

Author: Great Bend Tribune

WILLIAM MULL

THE life story of William Mull who owns a four hundred and eighty acre farm ten
miles southwest of Great Bend, deserves a prominent place in the History of
Barton County, because of the success he has made of life. He was born July 4,
1872, in Staunton, Illinois, his father's death occurring shortly after. His
mother, Mrs. Louisa Mull, married Frederick Viehl and he came with them to
Barton County, Kansas, arriving on September 10, 1878. His step-father
homesteaded1 eighty acres, but died on August 17, 1895, the mother also died in
October, 1900. Their real and personal property was heavily mortgaged and was
sold to pay their debts, and at twenty-three William Mull faced the world
without credit or money. He had, however, in the fall of 1892, begun farming on
rented land with a part of his step-father's mortgaged horses and implements,
and to hold them for use paid interest as high as 18 per cent to 24 per cent.
The period between 1893 and 1896 were disastrous and all was lost or paid out on
debts; but in 1897 a crop was made and he purchased his. first hundred and sixty
acres, which is a part of his present farm. Later he bought three hundred and
twenty acres adjoining and farms four hundred and eighty acres, the equal of any
in the county. He has this improved with a two story frame residence containing
eleven rooms; a very attractive barn 32x38, with large hay loft and stalls for
sixteen horses; an elevator with capacity of 10,000 bushels, and sundry other
outbuildings. He cultivates wheat and corn exclusively, and breeds only a
limited number of horses, cattle and hogs for his own needs; but he makes every
acre a productive one and the hard times of the '90's seems far back in the
distance. It took, however, great will power and fortitude to pass that period,
and he learned lessons then that will last for all time.

   William Mull and Miss Anna Puttner, of Olmitz, Kansas, were married on
November 10, 1895, and they have been blessed by five children: John Frederick,
15; Mary Louisa, 13; William Joseph, 9; Elmer, 5, and Lillie Josephine, 2.

   William Mull is not old and the boys call him "Bill," and for this reason he
loves "the whole Bill family." Sometimes he becomes reminiscent and tells things
happening in the past. When we met him Bill Townsley was in his mind, and for
fear that Bill might fail to mention the circumstance in his own biography,
wants it known that Will Townsley worked for him in the harvest of 1897; and
that the pay was 75 cents per day. He labored faithfully for two days, but on.
the third quit at noon. Going to town he found his parents had left for Denver,
and followed, but on arriving there he failed to make connection with the family
purse and became stranded in a strange city. How he got home is the best
treasured joke of Bill Mull's life, for a month after harvest Bill Townsley and
a centenarian burro drew up in a ramshackle cart at the gate; collected $1.87
1/2 and departed for town. When "Bill" denies and "Bill" affirms, it is hard for
a historian to record it as a positive fact. Ask "Bill."


Additional Comments:
From:
Biographical History Of Barton County


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