Bio of BULL, Benjamin Seth Sr. (b.1832 d.1889), Hennepin Co., MN
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EXTRACTED FROM: History of Minneapolis, Gateway to the Northwest; 
Chicago-Minneapolis, The S J Clarke Publishing Co, 1923; Edited by: Rev. 
Marion Daniel Shutter, D.D., LL.D.; Volume I - Shutter (Historical); 
volume II - Biographical; volume III - Biographical
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BENJAMIN SETH BULL, Sr. - Vol III, pg 740-741
Like many of the pioneer business men of marked ability, enterprise and keen
discernment as to the opportunities and possibilities of this country, Benjamin
Seth Bull, who became a resident of Minneapolis in 1855, was closely associated
with many interests which led to the substantial development and early progress
of the city. In the field of real estate, as a miller, a farmer and one of the
builders of the first street railroad in Minneapolis, he aided in laying the
foundation upon which the present greatness and prosperity of the city rests and
his life history, therefore, should prove of interest to all those who feel
pride in what has been accomplished in Minneapolis in the period of
three-quarters of a century.
Benjamin Seth Bull was born in Essex county, New York, October 19, 1832, and was
descended from English Quaker ancestors who settled in Vermont in the early
period of the colonization of that state. His father, Henry Bull, was a man of
moderate means and the son's educational opportunities were therefore confined
to the neighborhood schools. He was but twelve years of age when it was
necessary that he provide for his own support and from that time forward he
depended upon his own resources making steady advancement through the wise use
of his native powers and talents. He eagerly embraced every opportunity that
came to him and step by step progressed in the business world, eventually
turning his attention to the west, where he believed opportunities were greater.
Before leaving his native state, however, Mr. Bull was married, at the age of
twenty-one years, to Miss Mary Stickney, also a native of Essex county, New
York. They journeyed westward to Illinois but were allured by the glowing
accounts of Minnesota which reached them, and yielding to his pioneer instinct,
Mr. Bull started for Minneapolis, accompanied by his wife and daughter, now Mrs.
Louis F. Manage of New Brunswick, New Jersey, making the journey by team, as
there were no rail­roads into this city at that time-the year 1855. Three years
later Mrs. Bull passed away and Mr. Bull afterward wedded Miss Beulah Blish
Newell, a native of Essex county, New York. From the initial period of his
residence in Minneapolis, he took active part in promoting the growth of the
city as an enterprising business man-one ready at all times to meet conditions
and utilize his opportunities. He entered into partnership with H. G. Harrison,
a capitalist, who had established his home in Minne­apolis at an early day, and
together they were the builders of the Harrison block at the corner of
Washington and Nicollet avenues, which was one of the finest buildings in the
Northwest at that period. They also entered lumber trade circles, establishing
sawmills at the falls of St. Anthony and developing a business of large
proportions in that connection, meeting with success in this venture, as they
had in the ownership and conduct of the Harrison block. Ten years later he
concentrated his efforts and attention upon the flour milling business in
Minneapolis, erecting the Humboldt Mill, which was conducted by the firm of
Bull, Newton & Company. The product of this mill won the gold medal and first
prize at the world's exposition in Paris in 1873. This undertaking, like his
previous ventures, brought success to Mr. Bull, who operated as one of the
pioneer millers of the city for a number of years and then discontinued his
activity in that field to turn his attention to what was called bonanza farming.
His land was located in the western section of Min­nesota and in North Dakota,
and in addition he also owned and operated the Hancock farm, comprising more
than fourteen thousand acres in Stevens and Pope coun­ties of Minnesota. He thus
became one of the first of that great group of men who have made extensive
farming in the Northwest one of the marvels of the world. Moreover, his. name is
in other ways inseparably associated with the history of Min­neapolis, inasmuch
as in 1869 he and his partner, Mr. Gilson, constructed the first street railroad
in the city, cars being operated on a track laid along Second street, connecting
the Milwaukee and Manitoba depots. After the death of Mr. Gilson it was decided
to abandon the enterprise and thus terminated the first street railroad of
Minneapolis.
Mr. and Mrs. Bull were the parents of four children, of whom one daughter, Mrs.
William G. Crocker of Minneapolis, is living. One son, Benjamin Seth Bull, Jr.,
mentioned elsewhere, died in November, 1920. The father passed away November 21,
1889, and is yet survived by Mrs. Bull, who makes her home with her daughter,
Mrs. Crocker.
Mr. Bull was of rather quiet and retiring disposition, dividing his time between
his business affairs and his family. He was a member of the First Baptist
church, living consistently in harmony with its teachings, but while he never
figured in any spectacular way in connection with the history of Minneapolis,
his work in the city was of most substantial character in connection with its
upbuilding and progress and he deserves mention among those pioneers who aided
in directing the course of early advancement that has led to the present
development, beauty and greatness of the city.