The portly form of Joseph E. Tully is but a natural indication in one
respect of his largeness. He is large in mind as well as body and his
business interests are appreciated not alone in Xenia and Clay county, but
also through all that section of the state of Illinois. His standing in the
community is of the highest and as one of Xenia's leading citizens and as
president of the Orchard City Bank, he has established for himself the
reputation of a man of business talents of the highest order. He is a
citizen in whom the most implicit confidence may be placed without fear of
betrayal and one in whose composition the elements of honesty is not
lacking-
Joseph E. Tully was born in Marion county, Illinois, on the
3ist of December, 1849; his father was also a native of Marion county, and a
farmer, who moved to Clay county about the year 1855, where he lived until
his death which happened about 1903. His grandfather was Mark Tully, who was
well known in the life of Marion county at one time. The family originally
came from Virginia, and Grandfather Tully was at one time a farmer, and
later a hotel-keeper in Salem.
Joseph E. Tully's father served with
distinction in the Civil war, being a soldier in the Forty-eighth Illinois
Infantry. His mother's own name was Sarah Ellston, who belonged to a family
of English extraction. She was herself reared in Marion county, her death
occurring about 1902. To his parents six children were born, five of whom
are now living, viz: Joseph E., the subject of our sketch; Mrs. Ida Kribs;
Miss Aggie Tully; Mrs. Rose Maxey, and Mrs. Lou Gaugher.
The Tully
family came when the subject of our sketch was but six years old to Clay
county, where they settled. Joseph received an education in the local common
schools and showed aptitude and ability whenever he cared to study. When not
quite fourteen years old, about the time of the Civil war, his youthful
patriotism asserted itself and he joined the One Hundred and Thirty-sixth
Illinois Volunteers and later affiliated with the One Hundred and Fifty-
fourth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, his term of military service extending
over a period of sixteen months. At the conclusion of the war he went into
the grocery business in Xenia and later branched out extensively in the
mercantile line. He has now been in business in Xenia for forty years and he
is looked upon as one of the most important and influential figures in its
business life as well as a substantial and prosperous citizen.
In
1870, on the 10th of October, his marriage with Fanny Paine, who was born in
New Bedford, Massachusetts, took place. Mr. and Mrs. Joseph E. Tully's
married life proved a very happy one, and three children have been born to
them. The sons, James M. Tully and W. P. Tully, are now grown to manhood and
are of great assistance to their father, both being associated with him in
his constantly growing business. Their only daughter is now Mrs. Lois
Holstlaw, of luka, Illinois.
In politics Joseph E. Tully is a
consistent and loyal Republican. He has never aspired much to make a name in
local political affairs, contenting himself to attend to the business
interests which he has been so successful in guiding. However, he was
honored with the postmastership of Xenia for the twelve years immediately
following the Civil war and while that position was entrusted to him he
fulfilled the duties of office to the entire satisfaction of the people of
the community, whose willing servant while a public officeholder he ever
proved himself to be.
His keen business insight and intuition in the
industrial world was not allowed to go without recognition, and he has been
installed as president of the Orchard City Bank, which is a stable and
conservative institution and the business of which is carried out in harmony
with the best methods of the banking world of today. Joseph Tully has given
time and attention to the affairs of the institution and his advice and
counsel have been responsible for tiding it over obstacles in the past. He
is also the owner of an up-to-date dairy, equipped with all the modem dairy
appliances, which is a pleasure to inspect. He has also found time in his
busy life to superintend extensive farming interests and his success along
agricultural lines has admirably compared with his success in other
endeavors.
Joseph Tully and his wife are of much importance in the
social life of Clay county where their genial and winning qualities have
made them much sought after. He is a member of the Baptist church and they
have not been behind in helping onward the good work of religious progress
in the township.
He is active in fraternal and club life where his
genial appearance is generally heralded by the good humor and cheerfulness
which he seems to have a trick of imparting to all who come in contact with
him. He is a popular and prominent member of the Masonic Fraternity and is
one of the most widely known Grand Army of the Republic men in the vicinity.
Extracted 21 May 2019 by Norma Hass from 1909 Biographical and Reminiscent History of Richland, Clay and Marion Counties, Illinois, pages 439-441.
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