Lloyd, Lavetta, Max, and Donna about 1980
I can’t let the day go by without mentioning my dad who, if still alive, would be 100 years old today. He (Lloyd Kull) always listed his birth year as 1916 but I know from numerous sources (census records, my birth certificate, conversation with my cousin Henrik) that he was born in 1913. Either way, we lost him too soon in 1984 on Easter eve. It was very much unexpected as he led an active life style, was in good shape, and (we thought) good health.
I was recently going through some boxes of photos in my basement and found a booklet entitled “Pioneer Profiles” (F. Johnson, Ed.). This was put out by the Madison Crossroads Homemakers Club in conjunction with the “Alabama Reunion 1989″. In their words: “It is hoped that this booklet will cause an awareness and appreciation of the rich heritage afforded by this community.” It is a collection of histories and stories from the area one of which was submitted by my mother. The following is excerpted from that story.
The Homemakers thank Mrs. Lavetta Kull for the following insight (both historical and humorous) into the family/heirs of Max Julius Kull.
Max Julius Kull (known in America as Julius Max Kull) of Lenzburg, Switzerland arrived in America aboard the ship “Weimar” (a steam assisted sailing vessel) in 1892. [NOTE: My information is that he actually arrived earlier around 1888 with his mother and brother. There is a record of an 1893 arrival for Julius and his brother Fred but this was their return trip from Switzerland after going back to settle affairs after their father’s death in 1892.]
Kull farmhouse
He settled in Chicago where he worked for Pullman Company. I have heard him tell the story about a land agent from Madison County, Alabama coming to Chicago to get settlers to come to Northwest Madison County. He and his friend Michael Ghidotti, an Italian, came to Madison County in the early part of 1895. He said when they arrived in Madison County and saw all the sage grass they thought this must be very fertile land. He laughed when he told this for he said he learned this was not true. He and his friend homesteaded adjoining farms on Stateline Road. The farm Julius acquired (158.5 acres) had been entered by someone else who failed to prove his claim. Julius bought the improvements and took up permanent residence on June 28, 1895.
From the “small world” file: Last September, I went to my 45th year high school reunion in Huntsville. It was great to reconnect with old friends and to find out that I wasn’t the only one cruelly betrayed by my mirror. One of the folks I ran into was Bill Newman. He was not actually part of our graduating class, but he did go to school with most of us from grade school on until he moved to another district. Anyway, besides being an old classmate, he was also the great-grandson of Miss Addie, third and last wife to Fred Kull. I’ve since been corresponding with him to find a little bit more about “Miss Addie”.
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