B. L. ULEN, Circuit Clerk, Mound City, born February 5, 1837, in Greenup
City, Ky., son of Samuel Ulen, of German descent, born December 20, 1798, in
Virginia, where he was a well-to-do farmer. He moved to Scotland County,
Mo., when our subject was quite young. There he lost everything by a great
overflow and was compelled to encamp with about 300 other families in a
small gulch back of the river. While there the cholera broke out, destroying
whole families. They moved back into the hills near Steward's mill, where
they worked for very small wages, gathering property around them, and
finally coming to Pulaski County, Ill., where he died April 6, 1866.
The mother of our subject was a native of Mason County, Ky., born
November 1, 1810. She died July 14, 1866. Her maiden name was Margaret
Thompson, and she was the mother of eight boys and four girls, of whom only
five boys are now living, viz., Hamilton C., a farmer and merchant in
Dexter, Mo.; Frederick G., a farmer near Ullin, Ill.; Matthew T., of Fort
Laramie, Wy. Ter.; Thomas J., in partnership with his brother at Dexter,
Mo., and Benjamin L., our subject, who went to school in this county to Col.
E. B. Watkins, who was afterward a Representative. He then taught school two
winters, and finally, through the kindness of Lieut. Gov. Dougherty,
obtained a scholarship to the Anna High School, where he studied till
October, 1861, when he enlisted in the Ninth Illinois Infantry Volunteers,
Company K, as private; from that, through his strict attention, ability and
bravery, he was promoted to Corporal, Sergeant, Orderly Sergeant and finally
Second Lieutenant. He participated in many thrilling scenes; was wounded
twice, the last time in 1863, at Salem, Miss. He was finally mustered out in
August, 1864, at Springfield, Ill.
After the war, he taught school
for several years, and then in 1872, he was elected Circuit Clerk, filling
the office with tact and ability to such an extent that he was re-elected
twice. His majority in 1876 was 1,144 votes. In 1876, he was also appointed
Master in Chancery by Judge John Dougherty, and re-appointed by Judge D. J.
Baker. He also holds the office of Public Administrator, being appointed by
Gov. Cullom. He is also Township Treasurer.
Mr. Ulen was joined in
matrimony, October 26, 1867, in Jonesboro, Union County, Ill., to Miss Ella
Herrick, born May 16, 1850, in Bangor, Me., where she was also educated. She
is the mother of four children now living, viz., George A., born September
24, 1871; Eva Maude, November 29, 1874; Olive Grace, born October 25, 1880;
Lottie B., born September 2, 1882. In 1863, she came West to join her
parents, George R. and Mary C. (Nichols) Herrick. He was born May 10, 1812,
in Hampden, Me. She was born in Nobleboro, Me. Although we deserve no credit
nor are made better by what our parents have done, yet it is pleasant to
know that our ancestors for centuries back have endeavored to hand down to
posterity an untarnished name. The Herrick family is of English descent,
although its progenitor was one Henry Eyryk, a lineal descendant of Eric the
forester, a great commander, who opposed William the Conqueror. His
grandson, Robert Eyryk, died in 1385. He was Chaplain to Edward, the Black
Prince, LL. D., and finally Lord Bishop of Litchfield. The history of the
Herrick family in the United States, commenced with Henerie Herrick, born in
1604, in England. He settled in Salem, June 24, 1629. The grandfather of
Mrs. Ulen, Jedediah Herrick, settled in Hampden, Me., November 5, 1800,
author of the Genealogical Register of the Herrick family, whose coat of
arms is yet in existence.
Mr. and Mrs. Ulen are members of the
Methodist Episcopal Church. He is Chaplin of the I. O. O. F., is also a Good
Templar and in politics a Republican. His office is in the same building in
which he lay after he was wounded at the battle of Fort Donelson.
Extracted 02 Nov 2014 by Norma Hass from 1883 History of Alexander, Union and Pulaski Counties, Illinois, Part V - Biographical Sketches, pages 280-281.
| Union | Johnson | |
| Alexander |
 |
Massac McCracken KY |
| Ballard KY |
