MULLEN, JOHN. - Those who know John Mullen, and recognize in him one of the substantial agriculturists of the vicinity of Virginia, Ill., find it hard to believe that when he came to this section of Cass County, sixty-four years ago, he was a poor Irish emigrant lad, with naught save his ambition and determination to succeed to aid him in his struggles with the world. That he has risen to his present position of prosperity is due to his tireless perseverance, his thrift and good management, and his strict adherence to honorable principles. Mr. Mullen was born May 16, 1835, in County Antrim, Ireland, and is a son of Thomas and Isabell (Harron) Mullen.

John Mullen received his education in the public schools of his native land, and was there reared on his father's small farm. Believing, however, that his native land held out little opportunity for gaining independence and position. Mr. Mullen decided to try his fortunes in the United States, and accordingly, as a lad of sixteen years, he embarked upon a sailing vessel and came to this country by way of New Orleans. He was on the ocean and Mississippi River for nine weeks and three days, and because the latter was frozen he was compelled to lay up at St. Louis, Mo., waiting for a break-up of the ice. After three weeks, however, his money gave out, and with several families he started to walk to Virginia, Ill., a journey that was accomplished in a week's time. After three weeks of sickness, caused by an attack of typhoid fever, he secured employment with a Mr. Elliott, and after one summer with this gentleman began work for Doctor Chandler at Chandlerville. He spent six years on a farm, and then, buying a team and renting a tract of land, engaged in operations on his own account. Mr. Mullen rented land for six years, and then purchased 100 acres of his present farm, at that time all in the timber. Upon this he first built a primitive log cabin, in which he resided while starting to clear the place from the brush. In the following spring he was able to put under croppage a few acres, and from that time on his success was steady and grew rapidly. Subsequently he rented some cleared land from James Armstrong, and each year cleared a little more of his own land, constantly adding thereto until he is now the owner of 280 acres, all in one body except forty-five acres, and of this 165 acres are under the plow, the remainder being devoted to timber and pasture land. He has always carried on general farming and stockraising, and has been successful in his ventures because he has always labored hard and faithfully and has made a study of his vocation and the best methods of pursuing it.

Mr. Mullen was married in August, 1860, to Miss Sidney Armstrong, born in County Derry, Ireland, daughter of John and Nancy (Cook) Armstrong, and to this union there have been born the following children: John, a resident of Christian County, Ill.; Tillie, who is deceased; Robert, of Christian County; Charles, of Cass County, Ill.; Samuel, of Chandlerville; James, of Cass County, Ill.; Joseph, of Brown County; Annie, wife of Louis Salzman, who conducts Mr. Mullen's farm; William, of Chandlerville; and Lula, who married Luther Schoonover, of Brown County; and two who died in infancy. The mother of these children died April 19, 1899, and was buried in Chandlerville cemetery.

Mr. Mullen is a Republican in politics, and has always resided and voted in Chandlerville Precinct. He has taken an active interest in public affairs, and has been honored by election to office, serving in the capacities of supervisor and school director. His fraternal connection is with the Masonic Blue Lodge, at Chandlerville. In a railroad accident at Flora, on his return from a visit at Riceland, La., in 1903, Mr. Mullen sustained an injury to his left hand which necessitated its amputation.