Hull Monument at Oakland Cemetery

Found in Block 24 of Sandusky's Oakland Cemetery, this beautiful monument honors the memory of John Linn Hull, his first wife Eliza, and his second wife, the former Angeline Walker. A lengthy tribute to John L. Hull appeared in the December 17, 1894 issue of the Sandusky Register. In the article, we learn that John Linn Hull was born in Washington County, Pennsylvania, on October 24, 1822, to Joseph and Elizabeth Hull. In 1822, John L. Hull came to Ohio with his parents. The family settled in Perkins Township in 1828. John helped his father clear the land and work the family farm. On August 29, 1845, John Linn Hull married Eliza Wilson Harsh of Warren, Ohio. The young couple lived in a log house in Perkins Township. Sadly, when she was only 31 years of age, Eliza Hull died on Christmas Day in 1852. She left behind a young son, John Henry Hull, who would go on to become a well respected minister. In 1854, John L. Hull took as his wife Angeline Walker, the daughter of Samuel and Betsey Walker, pioneers of Erie County.

Mr. and Mrs. John L. Hull had extensive property in Perkins Township, as seen in this photocopy of a portion of a map of Perkins Township from the 1874 Erie County Atlas. The Hull parcels were located in Section 2.

They had two children, Judge Linn Walker Hull and Mrs. Ida Barber.  In December of 1894, John Linn Hull was injured in an railway accident in Cleveland. He died of his injuries on December 12, 1894. Funeral services for John L. Hull were held at the family homestead. Mr. Hull's remains lay in an oak casket from Krupp's. Many beautiful floral tributes were sent to honor Mr. Hull. A favorite hymn, "Sweet Bye and Bye" was sung. Rev.C.A Vincent offered prayer, and Rev. George Peeke delivered the eulogy, which was said to have been elegant. Rev. Peeke said, in part, " My friends, let me say to you, as we admire the character of this man, I do not think we want preachers so much, I do not think we want lawyers so much, I do not think we want doctors so much, as we want good stalwart farmers. That is what the country wants more than it wants anything else, farmers of good character. They are the backbone of the country. ..The middle class of farmers with character are the backbone of any nation, and woe be to the day when such men as Brother Hull drop out..." Rev. Peeke said that the Hull home was a home of peace and prosperity, and that John L. Hull was a man of truth, who was always true to his word.  John Linn Hull was laid to rest in Oakland Cemetery. A long procession of carriages followed the hearst to the cemetery. Mrs. Angeline Walker Hull followed her husband in death in 1898. Mrs. Hull's Civil War diary now is found in the historical collections of the Ohio Historical Society.  John Linn Hull, his first wife Eliza, and his second wife Angeline represent the true pioneer spirit. They helped to lay the groundwork for the future generations of Erie County, Ohio, through love, character, and a deep work ethic.