BULEN, Thomas E.

BULEN, GOODWIN, MARKLE, SMITH, HERR

Posted By: Volunteer Transcribers
Date: 1/20/2003 at 11:55:53

THOMAS E. BULEN. 

For sixteen years Mr. Bulen has been a resident of Clinton and throughout this period has enjoyed the esteem and confidence of all with whom he has been associated. Long service in the employ of the Chicago & Northwestern Railroad Company indicates his fidelity and trustworthiness in business. He was born in Springport, Jackson county, Michigan, April 21, 1861, and is a son of William Bulen, whose birth occurred in England in 1819. In his native land the father learned the trade of a miller and baker, and in July, 1851, he came to America, taking up his residence in Ohio, whence he afterward removed to Michigan. He married Eleanor Goodwin, who died in Jackson, Michigan, in 1895. The father now makes his home in Clinton with his son Thomas, and is a well preserved old man. He followed his trade as a miller until his retirement from active life. He had nine children, three of whom were born in England, while six were natives of the new world. Three sons and two daughters are yet living, but four of the children died in childhood. Those who now survive are John W., a resident of Clinton; Mary A., wife of H. Markle, of Ogden, Utah; Hepzibah, wife of J. S. Smith, also of Ogden; James, who is living in Peoria, Illinois; and Thomas E. Although a native of England, America has no more loyal citizen than William Bulen, who devotedly loves this country and her institutions. At the time of the Civil war he sent his son John to the front as a member of the Twentieth Michigan Infantry. He enlisted when sixteen years of age and served throughout the war, and after his return engaged in railroading. In Michigan the father developed and improved a farm in the midst of the forest and did all he could to benefit and upbuild the community. In politics he is a stalwart Republican and in religious belief is a Baptist, while his wife is a member of the Episcopalian church.

Thomas E. Bulen acquired his education in the common schools of Springport, Michigan, and when fourteen years of age left home, going to Jackson, Michigan, where he served an apprenticeship to the machinist’s trade. At the age of seventeen he was receiving a journeyman’s pay. He was employed in the operation of a stationary engine and at general job work, remaining in Jackson until twenty-three years of age, going thence to Clinton, where he entered the railroad service as brakeman and after three months he was employed as a fireman, continuing to serve in that capacity until 1890, when he was promoted to engineer. He now runs between Clinton and Boone, and is one of the most trusted employees in the service on account of his carefulness, his fidelity and his industry. He has never met with any accidents or personal injuries and has the entire confidence of the higher officials of the road. During his long connection with this line of work he has seen many changes in railroad service.

Mr. Bulen was married in Jackson, Michigan, in 1882, to Miss Kitty Herr, who was born in that state and was of German descent. Her father was a stone cutter by trade and both he and his wife are now deceased. Mrs. Bulen pursued her education in the public schools of Jackson and is a most estimable lady. Her marriage has been blessed with three children: Irene, Lelia and William.  Mr. Bulen is a member of Lincoln Lodge, I. O. O. F., of Clinton, and belongs to Clinton Division, No. 125, B. of L. E., while his wife is a member of the Grand International Auxiliary, the auxiliary to the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers. In politics Mr. Bulen is an earnest Republican. He has purchased a home in Clinton and being a man of domestic taste, he finds his greatest happiness with his family at his own fireside. From the age of fourteen years he has been dependent upon his own resources and all that he has accomplished in life is due to his earnest efforts and business ability. He has many sterling characteristics, which in the years of his residence in Clinton, have won recognition in the warm friendship of many with whom he has come in contact.
Source: The 1901 Biographical Record of Clinton Co., Iowa, Illustrated published: Chicago : S. J. Clarke Pub. Co., 1901.