William Cullen 1823-1904

CULLEN, TOBIN

Posted By: Cathy Joynt Labath (email)
Date: 12/10/2006 at 12:32:34

Emmetsburg Democrat; Emmetsburg, Palo Alto, Iowa; August 3, 1904

Another Pioneer Passes

Saturday afternoon Mrs. James Tobin, of this city, received a telegram stating that her father, William E. Cullen had died the night previous at one of the Sister’s hospitals in Dubuque where he had been for several months. The remains arrived in this city Monday morning and were at once taken to the home of his daughter to await interment. The funeral was held yesterday. The usual services were conducted at Assumption church by Very Rev. A.J. Smith. The remains were laid to rest in St. John’s cemetery. There was a large procession. The pall bearers were E.P. McEvoy, Myles McNally, M. Roach, Alex Jennings, Michael Conlon and Owen McNulty.

The deceased was a native of County Tipperary, Ireland, where he was born in 1823. He came to the United States when quite young. In 1852 he was married in New York city to Katherine Cullen. Soon after they moved to Sault Ste Marie, Michigan, and later were residents of Chicago, Freeport and Joliet, Illinois. In 1861 they moved to this county and settled on a farm southwest of town. Eight sons and daughters were born to Mr. and Mrs. Cullen, only four of whom survive. They are John, William, Michael, and Mrs. James Tobin. Mrs. Cullen died September 23, 1902.

For 40 years William E. Cullen was a prominent character in Palo Alto county. He was intellectually bright and was unusually capable as an accountant. He served the county for several successive terms as auditor, recorder, clerk and supervisor. He was shrewd, ready and obliging and was strongly attached to those in whom he had confidence. He made friends easily and was, as a rule, very successful as a political worker. He was loyal to his friends and he was very frank in making known his likes and dislikes. He was a close student of current affairs. He had strong and well funded convictions on the issues of the day. He never pretended to be a perfect man, for none, alas, never attain the ideal. But he was always ready to give and take and was ever glad to give a helping hand and a word of hope and cheer to those who needed comfort and encouragement. His death will be mourned, not only by those who knew him as a fond, indulgent father, but also by the many who mingled with him in official and other affairs for nearly half a century.