BIOS: Irvin P. DULL, native of Somerset County, PA

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BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW, Vol. XXXII, Containing Life Sketches of Leading Citizens of 
Bedford and Somerset Counties, Pennsylvania. Boston, Biographical Review 
Publishing Company: 1899, pp 125-126.

  Irvin P. Dull, proprietor of a finely improved farm in the township of Shade, 
Somerset County, was born in the neighboring township of Milford, February 19, 
1854, a son of Peter, Jr., and Catherine (Weller) Dull.  He is of pioneer 
ancestry, being a grandson of Peter Dull, Sr., a native of Mercersburg, Franklin 
County, Pa, who was an early settler in Milford, Somerset County.
  From heavily timbered land Grandfather Dull cleared a good farm, which he 
managed successfully until his decease, at the age of seventy-two years.  He 
married Eve Knable, and they had eight children, five sons and three daughters, 
that reached years of maturity.  The two now surviving are: Christina and Samuel 
H.  Christina, whose first husband, Daniel Ressler, died, leaving two children, 
Peter and Mary Jane, is now the widow of Jacob Brooks, by whom she has two 
children living-Martha and Emma.  Samuel H. Dull married Lucinda Walter, who 
died some years later, leaving five children-Belle, Alma, Jennie, Edward, and 
Eva.  Both of the grandparents were members of the Lutheran church.
  Peter Dull, Jr., who was born in Milford township in 1816, succeeded to the 
ownership of the old homestead, and carried on general farming with energy and 
success, keeping well advanced in the line of progress.  He was a stanch 
Republican in politics, and rendered efficient service to his community in many 
capacities.  He was an influential member of the Lutheran church, in which he 
was an Elder.  His death resulted from the effects of injuries received by being 
thrown from his horse while on his way to church in 1885.  His wife, whose 
maiden name was Catherine Weller, was born in Wellersburg, Southhampton [sic] 
township, Somerset County in 1823, a daughter of George and Elizabeth (Hay) 
Weller.  She is now living, and makes her home in New Centreville, Milford 
township.  Of the ten children born to her and her husband, eight are living, 
namely: Martha, Rufus H., Samantha Jane, Irvin P., Minerva Catherine, William 
Luther, Alberton, and Mary Elmira.  Martha is the wife of Jesse Critchfield, and 
has one child, Virgil Ross; Rufus H., who married Mary E. Allison, has five 
children-Annie G., Harry, Buelah, Elizabeth, and Ada; Samantha Jane is the wife 
of Simon P. Fritz, and has seven children-Rufus, Annie, Elmira, Lillian, Robert, 
Harry, and Susan; Minerva Catherine, wife of Frederick R. Reed, has six 
children-Mattie, Roy, Ralph, Alberta, Weller, and Irvin; William Luther married 
Rosa B. Frease, and has three children-Reed, Martha, and Marian.
  Irvin P. Dull received his elementary education in Gebhart's, and was further 
advanced in learning by a course of study at New Centreville.  He subsequently 
taught during the winter terms for ten years in the schools of Somerset and 
Fayette Counties, and was afterward engaged in farming for seven years, being 
five years in Milford and two years in Somerset township.  He then removed to 
the village of Hooversville in Quemahoning, where he left his family that he 
might prospect in the West.  Returning, however, in a short time, he opened a 
grocery store in Hooversville, which he conducted from 1887 until 1890.  Selling 
out his stock, he then went to Johnstown, Cambria County, where, forming a 
partnership with George Hoover, under the firm name of Hoover, Dull & Co., he 
was engaged for a while in the produce business.  Again taking up his residence 
in Hooversville, Mr. Dull purchased a half interest in a general store, and as a 
junior member of the firm of Geisel & Dull continued there five years.  In 
March, 1896, he sold out his share of the business, and, buying the farm of two 
hundred and thirty-six acres on which he now resides, has since devoted himself 
most successfully to its care.
  On December 26, 1880, Mr. Dull married Mary L. Unruh, a daughter of Rev. John 
N. and Eliza (Kates) Unruh.  Their union has been blessed by the birth of four 
children, namely: John Clarence, Herbert Hentz, Lloyd Weller and Bernice Irene.  
Mr. and Mrs. Dull are both identified by membership with the Lutheran church of 
Hooversville, in which he is now serving as Elder.  Politically, Mr. Dull is a 
firm adherent of the Republican party, active in the management of local 
affairs, and while a resident of Hooversville he was Inspector of Elections and 
School Director.  Fraternally, he is a member of Stoyestown Lodge, No. 372, I. 
O. O. F.; and of Valley Castle Lodge, No. 261, Knights of the Golden Eagle, in 
which he has held the various offices.