John A. T. Hull was a lawyer by education, but never had much opportunity to display his talents as such, for almost immediately after his admission to the bar, in 1862, he enlisted in the Civil War, receiving a commission as First Lieutenant, and during the same year was promoted to the Captaincy of Company C, of the Twenty-Third Iowa Infantry, and held this position until the close of the War, distinguishing himself for bravery on many battlefields, among which were those of Port Gibson, Magnolia Hill, Raymond, Jackson, Champion Hill and Black River Bridge. In the last engagement he was so severely wounded as to disable him for service for some five months, at the end of which time he returned to his post. At the close of the War he returned to Iowa and settled in Van Buren County, entering upon the practice of his profession, which he continued until 1873, when he purchased an interest in and assumed control of the Davis County Republican, at Bloomfield, "Which he managed with such skill as to attract universal attention, and bring its young and accomplished editor into universal notice and favor." The ability he displayed in this field drew him into active politics. He was made Secretary of the Senate, filling that position several years and making himself generally popular. In 1878 he was nominated by the Republican State Convention, for Secretary of State, and elected by an overwhelming majority. In 1880 he was re-elected to the same position, and again in 1882, thus serving for three terms in that office. In 1885 he was nominated and elected Lieutenant-Governor of the State, and served with efficiency for four years. In 1892 he was elected to Congress from the Des Moines District, and was continuously re-elected through the course of many years, to that position. In Congress he distinguished himself. He was made Chairman of the Committee on Military affairs and became prominent as such during the War with Spain, and in the affairs of the Philippine Islands.

By EDWARD H. STILES DES MOINES THE HOMESTEAD PUBLISHING CO. 1916