WINFIELD W. PULLIAM, M. D. The town of Hardin, Calhoun County, has no resident who is better entitled to representation in this Album than Dr. Pulliam who stands at the head of the High School. He is possessed of more than ordinary knowledge and culture, and has shown his energy and versatility in connection with the business as well as the educational affairs of the town. In addition to faithfully discharging the duties of Principal of the High School he manages a drug-store, being the only licensed druggist in Hardin. He is also discharging the duty of County Physician and County Surgeon, and those of Clerk of the Town Board, and is now serving as County Surveyor, having been elected to that position in 1888 for a term of four years. He is certainly one of the busiest men in the county, and it is a matter of wonder to some of his friends how he manages to accomplish so much.
Dr. Pulliam was born near New Market, Highland County, Ohio, November 27, 1850. His father, Thompson G. Pulliam, a native of Kentucky, went to the Buckeye State when a young man. He studied medicine and was graduated, but after a few years practice returned to farm life, to which he had been reared. He resided in Highland County from 1840 to 1864, then came to this State and made his home in Pike County. He bought a farm two and a half miles southeast of Pittsfield, where he is still living. The maiden name of his wife was Rachel Wilkin. She was born in Highland County, Ohio, near Sugar Tree Ridge. She died in her old home in Ohio while on a visit and was brought back for burial to Pike County, this State, in September, 1879. The parental family consists of five children — Mary A., Llewellyn C., Winfield W., Cassius M. C., and Otho G.
The son of whom we write was fourteen years old when he came to this State with his parents. He continued his studies in the district school near his home and later in Pittsfield, and at tbe age of nineteen years began teaching in Calhoun County. After a few years of pedagogical labors he returned to Pittsfield in 1873, attended school nine months, and then received a first-class certificate in both Pike and Calhoun Counties. He resumed his professional labors, taught until 1880, and during the time read medicine. In the winter of 1880-81 he attended medical lectures at Bennett Medical College, Chicago, and the following winter taught in Macon County, Ill.
The winter of 1882-83 found Mr. Pulliam again attending lectures at Bennett Medical College from which he was graduated March 20, 1883. He located in Watseka, Iroquois County, practiced there until the following year, and then removed to Athensville, Greene County. In 1885 he accepted a call to take charge of the Hardin High School, and taught here until 1887. He was then called to the northern part of the county, but a year later returned to the county seat and resumed charge of the High School. Here he has since remained, elevating the standard of scholarship and winning many laurels. In 1883 he first engaged in the drug business in Watseka, and has more recently been carrying on a similar trade at his present home. Dr. Pulliam belongs to Calhoun Lodge No. 792, F. & A. M., and has been Master therein since the organization was perfected.
The intellectual culture and fine traits of character possessed by Miss Norah Belle Gilmore aroused in the mind of Dr. Pulliam the desire to make that lady his wife. His wooing proved successful, and August 13, 1885, the young couple were united in marriage. Mrs. Pulliam was born in Morgan County, her parents being Carroll and Sarah J. (Spencer) Gilmore.
Extracted 16 Mar 2017 by Norma Hass from Portrait and Biographical Album of Pike and Calhoun Counties, Illinois, published in 1891, pages 444-445
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