A newspaper portrait of John A. Kull, of Lykens, Dauphin County, Pennsylvania. This photograph accompanied a then current biographical sketch of him appearing in the Lykens Register, March 22, 1900:
MR. JOHN A. KULL – ONE OF OUR BUSINESS MEN
It is with pleasure we herewith publish a likeness and biography of our much respected and prominent citizens, John A. Kull. Mr. Kull was formerly owner of the Lykens Paper Box Factory bit recently disposed of the business to Messrs. Lehr and Wolcott.
John A. Kull was born in Pottsville in the year 1854. He started out to battle in life when only 9 years old as a slate picker in the coal mines in Schuylkill County. His next employment was in a bottling establishment in Pottsville. Being dissatisfied he aimed for a higher purpose in life and by the influence of a kind and tender mother, arrangements were made to place him under the supervision of his uncle, Jacob S. Reiff of Lykens, to learn the trade of cabinet maker and funeral director. January 1, 1870, he bid farewell to the parental home and boarded the train, which landed him at the old Tower City station, from thence he wended his way as a pedestrian (with his old carpet sack flung over his shoulder) foot-sore and care-worn with but a dollar in his pocket to make his home among kin and strangers in Lykens. Serving three years as an apprentice, he chose for a profession painting and paper hanging and proved himself both skillful and efficient. In 1873 he was one of the joint owners of what is now known as the Lykens Driving Park. He was also connected with the Lykens Sash Factory, which since passed into oblivion. Mr. Kull was associated with Mr. Charles Broom, deceased, a former resident of Lykens, for a period of 12 years, first as a painter and then as a partner. During the panic of ’77 to ’79, business being very dull, and Johnny being a hustler, he purchased a horse and wagon and started on the road huckstering for a term of two years. resuming once more his former occupation, but impressed with the fair maidens he came in contact with on the country route, he came to the conclusion that single blessedness was not the happiest state of man. While attending camp meeting at a neighboring village one of Perry County’s modest dames of nature was brought to his observation, and being impressed, and not in “Doing good without doing better” he resolved to keep God’s letters and perseverance being one of his characteristics until January 1882, when the nuptial feast was celebrated at the home of the bride. In May, 1882, the happy couple took up their abode on Market Street, in the house now occupied by William Evans, carrying a large stock of wall papers. In the fall of ’83 he sold out to C. Broome, to engage in the mercantile business in Elizabethville. But soon finding out that financially it was a failure, he returned to business to the former proprietor and took a trip West as far as Cleveland, Ohio, where for a short time he found employment in his old occupation. Finding no greater inducements than home trade afforded, he retraced his steps to the old State and moved to Harrisburg, where he was under the supervision of Mr. Keller of Steelton. The clear and sparkling waters of Rattling Creek being far superior to the contaminated waters of the Susquehanna, gave rise to a longing for Lykens, which was hard to resist and in the spring of ’84 once more occupied the dwelling on Market Street, still holding on to the dear old trade of paper hanging and painting. Fully determined that Lykens should be his future home, ever keeping his eyes open to what proved successful to himself and also the interests of the town, he purchased a 90 foot lot corner of Market and North Second Street, from E. L. Bergstresser, and erected a brick store and dwelling combined, manufacturing the brick for the same. November 1, 1886, he occupied for the first time his own home. The following year he entered into a contract to furnish the brick for the Wiconisco schoolhouse. This, however, did not prove successful, losing $1300, the contractor failing to turn over the cash after receiving it from the school board. This was a hard blow, but he bore up bravely and more determined than ever to overcome misfortunes, in a few years we see him building one of the finest cottages in town, adjoining the brick building, himself occupying the cottage. The brick is now occupied by A. C. Overholzer. Shortly afterwards he disposed of the cottages to Mrs. Amanda Grimm of Tower City.
In the fall of ’97 some parties contemplated starting a shoe factory in Lykens, but Mr. Kull was impressed that a box factory might prove as equally successful. Some tried to discourage him, but of a plucky disposition, he goes ahead and started to build in October and by January 3, 1898, turned out the first box. It was slow work at first, but of a plucky disposition, green hands, much to do and a very great deal to be learned, but surely and steadily the work went on, the longer the better, until they reached the capacity of 2,000 boxes per day and was on a paying basis at this point. Some of our townsmen seeing what success hard and honest toil had acquired, were determined to start in opposition or buy. Rather than have opposition and cripple business, Mr. Kull thought it best to sell, provided they could come to terms, and on February 17, 1900, the firm of Lehr and Wolcott agreed to pay the sum of $6,000 and took possession two days later. Mr. Kull is undecided at present what course he will pursue next, but will not remain idle.
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Part of a series of biographies of prominent members of the Lykens and Wiconisco communities that appeared in the Lykens Register and Lykens Standard at the turn of the century.
From Newspapers.com.
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