Untitled From Commemorative Biographical Record of the Counties of Rock, Green, Grant, Iowa and Lafayette Wisconsin, publ. 1901- page 880

ROBERT HULL, one of the early pioneers of Grant county, has been prominently identified with the growth of Platteville, which he has seen advance from a small village to its present proportions. Many are the entertaining accounts he can give of the days when the great commonwealth of Wisconsin was principally a vast tract of unbroken land, covered with the virgin forest; when the voice of man was not heard; when journeys were made with teams, and only the barest necessities of life obtainable. Such days as these developed the character of the pioneers, and laid the foundations of a mighty State, whose sons and daughters are a credit to it, and whose voice is heard among the great ones of the nation.

Robert HULL was born in Northumberland county, England, in November, 1821, and was the son of John and Jane (GRAHAM) HULL, natives of England, where they lived and died. Of their large family of eleven children, but two now remain, our subject and a brother, Jesse, who resides in England, the former being the only one who ever left his native land. Growing to manhood in good old England, Mr. HUJLL became convinced that there was more opportunity in America for his advancement, and in 1854 he made the passage via New York, to Galena, Ill., where he resided a short time, then removed to what was then known as the "New Diggings," in Grant county, and here remained eight years. The next change was made to Platteville, where Mr. HULL purchased a comfortable and pleasant home on the corner of Third and Cedar streets, and has since resided there. By occupation Mr. HULL is a miner, but since coming to Platteville he has been engaged on city contracts.

Just before embarking for America Mr. HULL was united in marriage with Mrs. Jane (LEE) PHILIPSON, a daughter of George LEE, who died in his native land, England. Mrs. HULL was born in Northumberland county, England, in May, 1821, and was a lady of unusual graces of mind and character. Gentle, loving and charitable, she made her home a heaven upon earth, and endeared herself to a large circle of appreciative friends. On March 20, 1894, occurred the tragedy of Mr. HULL's life, for on that day death claimed the deeply loved wife and since her decease Mr. HULL has felt sadly bereft. No children were born to Mr. and Mrs. HULL, but Mrs. HULL's son, Mathew PHILIPSON, was reared by Mr. HULL as his own, but, just as the young man was emerging into a happy, useful life, he died, Nov. 26, 1868, aged nineteen.

Politically Mr. HULL is a stanch Republican, always voting the ticket of that party, and is always voting the ticket of that party, and is also a consistent member of the Congregational Church, with which Mrs. HULL was also identified. Mr. HULL is a man who brings his religion into his daily life, and by his example teaches the great lessons of Christianity and morality.



This biography generously submitted by Carol Holmbeck