Henry W. Null

HENRY W. NULL, an enterprising and prosperous business man. of West Newton, proprietor of a shoe store which is located in one of the best business blocks of that thriving town, is a native of South Huntingdon township, Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania, born January 5, 1854.

Captain Philip Null, great-grandfather of Henry W. Null, was born in Wrightsville, Pennsylvania, and was there reared and educated. He was an officer in the Revolutionary war, serving under Generals Marion and Sumpter, and upon the cessation of hostilities located and resided for some years in Lincolnton, North Carolina. He then returned north and for a time was a resident of Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania, living in the vicinity of Greensburg, from whence he removed to West Virginia, locating on the Little Kanawa river where he spent the latter years of his life, passing away at an advanced age.

Henry Null, grandfather of Henry W. Null, was a native of Lincolnton, North Carolina, and was ten years of age when his parents removed to Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania, where he resided until attaining manhood. Shortly after his marriage he located in East Huntingdon township. He was a very successful farmer and business manager, and became an extensive land owner, his holdings lying both in East and South Huntingdon townships. He was a Whig in politics. He was a member of the Lutheran Church. By his marriage to Elizabeth Pool nine children were born-seven sons and two daughters-all of whom with one exception inherited and occupied portions of his large landed estate. Their names are as follows: Joseph. deceased; Jonathan, deceased; Jacob, deceased; Henry H., a resident of Greensburg, now (1905) in his ninety-first year; Francis Al., who resides on a portion of the old homestead in East Huntingdon township; Philip, deceased; Andrew J., deceased, mentioned hereafter; Catherine, deceased, who was the wife of William Ruff; and Keziah, deceased, who was the wife of John Sloan. Philip, who died in early manhood was the exception above referred to. The father of these children died at t e age of sixty-five years.

Andrew J. Null, father of Henry W. Null, was born in South Huntingdon township, Pennsylvania, in 1822, on the old homestead and resided thereon continuously all his lifetime. He was a farmer by occupation, and by diligence and perseverance accumulated a comfortable competence for his declining years. He was twice married, first to Matilda Ruff, and had one child, B. F., who resides on the homestead. He married (second), Lucinda Robinson, bore: in Rostraver township, Westmoreland county, daughter of Thomas and Achsah (Bailey) Robinson, and a direct descendant of Thomas Bailey, a citizen of Boston, Massachusetts, in 165o, and of Ezra Perry, who was a citizen of Sandwich, Massachusetts, in 1644. Prominent among her ancestors were Captain James Perry, of Revolutionary war fame, and Captain Nathaniel Perry, who distinguished himself in the French and Indian wars. Four children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Null, as follows: Lucetta, wife of Dr. D. Crise, of Escondido, California; Matilda, wife of Edward J. Hatch, of Escondido, California; Henry W., mentioned hereafter; and Mary E., deceased, who was the wife of John Pool. Andrew J. Null (father) died at his home in South Huntingdon township, 1866; he was survived by his wife, who passed away in the same place in the year 1890.

Henry W. Null resided at home until he attained the age of nineteen years, in the meantime obtaining a common school education. When seventeen years old he began teaching in the district school and continued the same for two years. He then came to West Newton and secured a position in the dry goods store of N. B. Sproat, and was subsequently employed for many years in the department store of S. C. Weimer. In 1895 he embarked in the shoe business in the Elliott building on the corner of Main and Second streets, West Newton. This enterprise proved a financial success, and the steady growth of the business necessitated his removal to more commodious quarters, and accordingly in the fall of 1901 he erected a building of his own, which is one of the best business blocks in the town, to which he removed. In addition to the duties devolving upon him in the management of his extensive establishment Mr. Null serves as a director of the Farmers' and Merchants' Bank, rendering valuable service in that capacity. He is a member of the school board of West Newton, and he has also filled several other minor township offices. He is a member of the United Presbyterian church, and an advocate and strong supporter of Republican principles. Mr. Null married in 1884, Mary E. McIlwain, of West Newton, daughter of Robert J. and Martha McIlwain, who died in r887, leaving two children, one of whom survives, Mary R. Null. In 1904 Mr. Null married Mary Adelaide McLaughlin, daughter of Andrew J. and Ella (Wilgus) McLaughlin, of West Newton.  

Source: Page(s) 258-259, History of Westmoreland County, Volume II, Pennsylvania by John N Boucher. New York, The Lewis Publishing Company, 1906.
Transcribed August 2008 by Nathan Zipfel for the Westmoreland County History Project
Contributed for use by the Westmoreland County Genealogy Project (http://www.pa-roots.com/westmoreland/)

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