My Genealogy Hound

WILLIAM H. BULLARD, a successful business man residing in Niles, and prominently identified with the interests of this city, is a native of New York and was born in Auburn, Cayuga County, April 23, 1842. His parents, Ambrose M. and Elizabeth (Hibard) Bullard, were natives of Paris, France, and emigrated to the United States in 1825, locating in Auburn, N. Y., where the father remained for a number of years, and in 1856 went to Paw Paw, Mich., where he remained until the death of his wife in 1858, in that place. In 1859 he returned to Auburn, N. Y., where he remained until his death.

The parental family consisted of five daughters and seven sons, William H. being the seventh in order of birth. He passed his boyhood days in Auburn, where he acquired the rudiments of his education. In 1856, when fourteen years of age, he came to Michigan and located at Paw Paw, Van Buren County. At the age of nineteen years he enlisted, on the 23d of April, 1861, as a member of Company C, Seventieth New York Infantry, which was assigned to the Army of the Potomac, Col. Sickles commanding the regiment. Our subject participated in many of the hard-fought engagements of the war, including the battles of the Wilderness and the terrible conflict at Gettysburg. After having served for three years, three months and ten days, he was honorably discharged in July, 1864.

At the close of his military service, Mr. Bullard settled in Mishawaka, Ind., and in October, 1864, came to Niles, where he has since resided. By trade a wood-turner, he followed that occupation here until he was chosen clerk in the post office at Niles. He served efficiently for four years and then resigned on account of his health. His next position was that of messenger between Cleveland and Chicago, in the employ of the Lake Shore Railway Company. Afterward he embarked in the grocery business, and from a small beginning in that line has gradually increased his stock until it is now the most complete in the city. He conducts a large and profitable business and is regarded as a reliable and honorable man.

On the 28th of June, 1868, William H. Bullard and Miss Carrie G., daughter of Iliff Fisher, of Berrien Centre, were united in marriage, and the union has proved one of great happiness and mutual helpfulness. Mr. and Mrs. Bullard have a neat and comfortable home in Niles, and are prominent in the society of this place. In politics a Republican, fraternally he is connected with Berrien County Lodge No. 6, I. O. O. F., and the Knights of Pythias. He was instrumental in the organization and was a prominent member of Frank Graves Post No. 64, G. A. R., being a leader among the veterans of the war. His brother, James F., was also a soldier in the war and assisted in the capture of the famous Confederate President, Jefferson Davis, as well as in his removal to Washington, D. C.