Thomas Tulley

TULLEY, CANFIL, SMITH, LEAS, PRITCHETT, STRUBLE

Posted By: Fran Hunt, Volunteer
Date: 10/5/2001 at 21:32:05

From the Portrait and Biographical Album of Jefferson and Van Buren Counties – 1890
THOMAS TULLEY
Thomas Tulley, proprietor of a meat market of Cantril, Van Buren County, is a native of Pennsylvania. He was born in Schuylkill, August 15, 1847, and is a son of Thomas and Margaret Canfil Tulley. His parents were both natives of Ireland, where they grew to maturity and were married, after which they left the Emerald Isle and came to America, locating in the Keystone State, where our subject was born. The father engaged in coal mining for some time and then started westward with the hope of bettering his financial condition. He took up his residence in St. Louis, Missouri where he opened a grocery store, carrying on business in that line until, attracted by the discovery of gold at Pike’s Peak, he started for the scene of supposed wealth. He was last heard of at Salt Lake City and a report came that he was there taken sick and died, but it was supposed that he was killed for his team and the money which he carried with him. His widow ever remained true to his memory and devoted herself to her six children thus left dependent upon her for support. Catherine, the eldest daughter, is now the wife of John Smith; Lydia wedded John A. Leas and is living in Keokuk; Lizzie is the deceased wife of Noah Pritchett of Cantril; John, William and Thomas complete the family. Mrs. Tulley came with her children to Iowa in 1850, where she remained until her death, which occurred some twenty-four years later. Her remains were buried in Hoskins Cemetery, and a beautiful monument marks her last resting place, erected as a token of the love, which her children bore her.
We now take up the personal history of Thomas Tulley, who at the early age of thirteen years began life for himself and has since made his own way in the world. It was his desire to follow railroading and to that end he became an engine wiper on the Wabash Road. On the expiration of a term of apprenticeship he was made fireman, and after three years, in recognition of his efficiency and faithfulness, he was placed in charge of an engine. He continued railroading then for a period of thirteen years, but at length desisted form it at the request of his aged mother, who feared that her boy might in that manner meet his death. In several instances he did narrowly escape death, having been in several wrecks, in one of which his left wrist was crushed. During his thirteen years, service as an engineer he was employed upon the Wabash and the Union Pacific Railroads, and after his return to the road, following the death of his mother, he entered the employ of the Keokuk, St Louis and Western, a branch of the Chicago, Burlington and Quincy System.
At length Mr. Tulley permanently abandoned engineering and turned his attention to the breeding of horses and jacks, purchasing a thoroughbred Clyde and Norman stallion and a Kentucky jack. This business he sold out and then embarked in the butchering business, which he followed in Illinois until the autumn of 1881, when he came to Cantril Iowa. On October 22, 1881 he opened a meat market in Cantril and to that vocation he has since devoted his energies. He slaughters on an average of three cattle per week, does all his own killing preserves his own meats and has a good trade. Considering the disadvantages under which is labored in early years, he has met with excellent success in his business career which is due to his thrift and industry.
In 1874, Mr. Tulley wedded Louisa J. Struble, who was born in Van Buren County in 1863, and is a daughter of Jacob and Luisa Struble, natives of Germany. Five children grace their union and the family circle yet remains unbroken. In order of birth they are as follows: John, F.Clare, Speed, Bessie and Rutledge L. Mr. Tulley is one of the active members of the Methodist Church, is one of the Board of Directors under whose management the house of worship was erected, and to the support of the Gospel he give liberally. As every true citizen should do, he feels an interest in political affairs, his views being in harmony with the principles of Democracy. His is a member of the City Council, which position he has filled five years to the satisfaction of all concerned. In civic societies, Mr. Tulley takes considerable interest and is an honored member of several organizations. He belongs to Apollo Lodge No. 461, A.F. & A.M., Moore Chapter and Commandery of Keosauqua; also holds membership in Prairie Gem Lodge No. 50, I.O.O.F. which he has three times represented in the State Lodge, and also in Cantril Lodge No, 235, K.P. He is a retired member of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers.
I am not related, and am only copying this for the information of those who might find this person in their family.