Mr. Bull was born in Oxfordshire, England, September 18, 1823, being a son of William and Elizabeth (Grant) Bull. He learned the trade of a carpenter, and became a contractor, continuing to pursue that business after emigrating to America, which he did in 1855. His first location in the New World was Akron, Ohio, where he remained but a year ere taking up his abode in the Prairie State. In Peoria he not only continued to contract for the construction of buildings, but made a specialty of plaster contracts, and many houses still standing are witnesses to his skill and honor in fulfilling his obligations. He gradually drifted into the handling and making of mantels and grates, and in 1870, in connection with John F. King, embarked regularly in this industry as a specialty. The business relation continued until the present year (1890), when a daughter, Emma E., took charge and continues the business. Even after taking up the special work, Mr. Bull continued to make and fill contracts for the erection of buildings and is still thus occupied.

Our subject has been twice married, first to Miss Anna Adkins, in Oxford, England. The union resulted in the birth of four children—Emma E., Hannah A., Carolina, and Laura Maria. The last two named are deceased. The second wife of our subject was Mrs. Annabel (Cowperthwaite) Adams, of Philadelphia, a lady of Quaker extraction, highly esteemed for her quiet kindliness, amiability, and general intelligence. This union has been productive of two children, one of whom, George, is now learning his father’s trade. The other child, Caroline F. is deceased. Mrs. Bull at the time of her second marriage, had one daughter by her former husband, William Adams, named Williamanna Adams, now the wife of Harry E. Sloan, of Peoria.

Mr. Bull came to Peoria during the Presidential campaign, resulting in the election of Buchanan. Such a political struggle was possessed of novelty to him, and the right of suffrage with so few restrictions, gave him new ideas of sovereignty. A study of politics, and a gathering of impressions made him a Republican, and in a quiet, earnest way he has always affiliated with the party he first chose. As a citizen, he is held in the highest esteem, lending a hand to all local improvements calculated to promote the beauty and welfare of Peoria, and quietly, unobtrusively driving his business. He has accumulated property here, and as he says, “makes more in three hours here, than he could in England in a week.” He is an honored member of the Masonic fraternity.