My Genealogy Hound

P. Y. MULLEN, farmer, post-office Carthage. The subject of this sketch was born in Scott county, Ill., Sept. 12, 1848. His mother died when he was but an infant. A few years later his father started with a drove of cattle intending to go to California, but reaching Benton county, Ark., he disposed of his stock and concluded to remain there, where he died in 1855, leaving our subject an orphan at the tender age of seven. He then lived a while in the family of his uncle; then went back to Scott county, Ill., with the family of R. D. Wear, an old and esteemed friend of his father’s. Subsequently he went into the family of another uncle in McDonough county, Ill., where he remained until he was thirteen years of age, when he enlisted as a drummer in Company D, Twelfth Illinois Volunteer Regiment, going into active service. At the battle of Port Gibson his drum got lost, and picking up the rifle and cartridge box of a disabled comrade, he entered the ranks of his company and participated in the fight, his conduct exciting the admiration of his comrades and officers. Notwithstanding his extreme youth he was permitted to remain in the company and was afterwards promoted to the rank of sergeant for bravery and meritorious conduct. He was engaged in the battles of Raymond, Jackson, Champion’s Hill, Black River, siege and capture of Vicksburg, where he received a wound which disabled him for active service; he was transferred to the Veteran Reserve Corps, where he held his rank, and did guard duty at Indianapolis, Ind., in the Fifth Regiment, U. S. Veteran Reserve. He was mustered out July 4, 1865. He then spent some time visiting in the states of New York and Connecticut, returning to McDonough county, Ill., in 1866, and engaged at farming. He was married there Sept, 13, 1874, to Miss Martha E. Wade, a native of Schuyler county, Ill., a very pleasant and agreeable lady. Five years after their marriage they immigrated to Allen county, Kan., where they lived until 1881. They then became residents of Jasper county, Mo., settling in Union township, where the true worth of Mr. Mullen was sure to be appreciated in that intelligent community, as he was shortly called upon to exercise the functions of an important elective office. He is also an officer of the county grange. Looking back upon the career of this gentleman it must be admitted as something uncommon. Left an orphan at a very early age and becoming a soldier at an age when most youths require the utmost parental care to shape their young minds for the duties of life, his lot was cast among men of every social grade. Nothing but the inherent good qualities of his character was brought to the surface by these dangerous associations.