LULL, WILL J.

LULL, NELLIS, KINTON, FUNK, STAHL, HINTZ

Posted By: Jean Kramer (email)
Date: 1/15/2004 at 13:05:35

Biography reproduced from page 616 of Volume II of the History of Kossuth County written by Benjamin F. Reed and published in 1913:

Will J. Lull, who is numbered among the active and progressive citizens of Fenton, Iowa, where he has aided materially in municipal expansion and upbuilding, was born in Walworth county, Michigan, January 6, 1867. He received his primary education in the public schools of the district and later attended high school. His residence in Iowa and in Kossuth county dates from 1884, when he located in Whittemore, where he cultivated the soil for a number of years. He later learned the carpenter’s trade and followed this line of occupation for some time in Whittemore. When the railroad was built through the state to Fenton Mr. Lull came to this city and followed the occupation of builder. He has been identified with the construction of some of the most important business houses and residences in this city for a number of years and is well known as a skilful and artistic workman. His field of activity extends beyond the limits of Fenton into the adjacent country where he has been identified with architecture in its practical aspects for some time.

Mr. Lull has been twice married. His first union was with Miss Alvina Nellis, who was born and reared in Kossuth county. She died in the spring of 1905. Two children were born of this union, Lloyd and Irvin, who are both deceased. On December 12, 1906, Mr. Lull was again married. His second union was with Mrs. Ida (Kinton) Funk, a native of Pennsylvania, who came from that state in her early childhood and settled in Blackhawk county, Iowa, with her parents. In that section she was married to Henry Funk, who was a prominent agriculturist and with him she later moved to Kossuth county, locating in Fenton, where her first husband died in 1901. To this marriage were born four children: Rosa, a music teacher of Oelwein, Iowa, who is the wife of George Stahl, of Oelwein, by whom she has one son, Virgil; Albert, who also resides in Oelwein; Arthur, who is now identified with Mr. Lull in the carpentering business in Fenton, and who has established a local reputation as an expert base ball player; and Dollie, the wife of Herman Hintz, of Algona.

Mrs. Lull has conducted a hotel in Fenton since coming here and with the help of her present husband has built a large addition to the restaurant, has installed modern and convenience equipment and has brought the enterprise to a high state of efficiency. It is the only one of its kind in the city, heated throughout with steam, comfortably furnished and well patronized by commercial salesmen and the traveling public. It is one of the most popular resorts in Kossuth county, and has gained a reputation through the management of Mr. and Mrs. Lull for hospitality and good service.

Mr. Lull is identified with the republican party and has been an active worker in political development, although he has never sought nor held public office. The town of Fenton owes much of its architectural advancement to his activities along building lines. He never deviates from strict business integrity and his high principles have never been questioned in almost a half a century of residence in Kossuth county.