James Mullin : Short Biography

Portrait and Biographical Record of Dubuque, Jones and Clayton Counties Chicago: Chapman Pub. Co., 1894 JAMES MULLIN. The career of this gentleman has been marked by enterprise, industry and well directed efforts that have been rewarded by the accumulation of a considerable amount of property and the machinery and took necessary for the management of a first class farm. Mr. Mullin is one of those Irish-American citizens of whom we have reason to be proud in account of the example they present of industry, morality and good citizenship. He is at present living in Dubuque Township, Dubuque County, and is the proprietor of over two hundred acres of land. Mr. Mullin was born in County Derry, Ireland, in 1818, and is the son of Henry and Ann (Diamand) Mullin, farmers by occupation, who lived and died in the Emerald Isle. The parental family included five children, who, with hardly an exception, were farmers. The grandfather of our subject, James Mullin, lived to the remarkable age of one hundred and twenty years. The subject of this sketch was reared on his father's farm in Ireland, and a year after attaining his majority emigrated to the United States on the sailing-vessel "Fannie" which landed him several weeks later in Philadelphia. He remained there but a short time, however, and then came to Dubuque County, where he has made his home ever since and is well and favorably known. Mr. Mullin was recently attacked by a crazy man and received four bullets from his gun, none of which were of a very serious nature, however.
James Mullin and Miss Mary A. Kingsley were united in marriage in 1876. The lady is a native of Plymouth, Mass., having been born February 28, 1855, to William and Bridget (Gilloon) Kingsley. Her father is still living on the old home farm, but her mother died many years ago. To Mr. and Mrs. Mullin were born nine children, bearing the respective names of Henry, William, Cornelius, Martha, James, Grace, John, Katie and Frank. The parents are members in good standing of the Catholic Church, in the progress of which they take a great interest. In political affairs Mr. Mullin is a straightforward Democrat, believing that the principles laid down in the platform of that party are best adapted to the needs of the nation. Mr. Mullin's estate comprises two hundred acres, embellished with all needful buildings and the machinery necessary for the successful prosecution of farm pursuits. He has been a hard worker, but is now practically retired from active duties and is enjoying his declining years amid the comforts which he provided for in his earlier life.