U.S. Data Repository http://www.us-data.org/ -- USGenNet Inc. -- Please read the U.S. Data Repository Copyright Statement on the following page: ------------------------------------------------------------------- Paull, James (d. 1875) ------------------------------------------------------------------- Men of West Virginia, Volume II Biographical Publishing Company George Richmond, Pres.: C. R. Arnold, Sec'y and Treas. Chicago, Illinois, 1903 Pages 720-722 HON. JAMES PAULL is remembered by the older residents of Wheeling and of the State of West Virginia as a prominent attorney, a member of the Legislature, and at the time of his death, May 11, 1875, in his 57th year, as a judge of the Supreme Court of Appeals of West Virginia. In this last capacity he had served since 1872. At his death, about six years remained to complete his term of office. Judge Paull was born in Belmont County, Ohio, and was a son of Joseph and Elizabeth Paull. During the Judge's boyhood his father moved to Wheeling with his family. His three sons, John, Alfred and James, spent the greater part of their lives in that city. John studied medicine, but died in young manhood. Alfred studied theology and was for many years pastor of the Fourth Presbyterian Church in Wheeling. About 1863 he removed to Philadelphia, where he died in 1873. James, the subject of this sketch, chose the legal profession. His academical education was obtained at an institution located at Crosscreek Village, Pennsylvania. In 1835 he graduated from Washington College in Pennsylvania and subsequently studied law in the office of Zachariah Jacob, of Wheeling. He completed his professional studies by attending the law department of the West Virginia University. During the remainder of his life, with the exception of a short time during which he had charge of Linsly Institute, he devoted himself to his profession. He represented Ohio County in the Legislature with signal ability, and in every relation, whether in public or in private life, he bore himself with honor. Upon the adoption of the new Constitution of West Virginia, in August, 1872, he was elected one of the four judges of the Supreme Court of Appeals of West Virginia, and was serving the third year of his eight-year term at the time of his death. His nomination was entirely unsolicited by him, and he was elected by a great majority. At his death resolutions of respect were framed and adopted by the members of the Ohio County bar, who attended his funeral in a body. Judge Paull first married Jane A. Fry, a daughter of Judge Fry, formerly of Wheeling. She died, leaving three sons. In March, 1861, he married Eliza J. Ott, a daughter of Samuel Ott, of Wheeling. Three sons and two daughters blessed this union. Judge Paull was extremely opposed to ostentation in anything, and his life was characteristic of his nature, — one of simplicity and kindness. He was a devoted father and husband. As a young man, he united with the First Presbyterian Church, to the support of which he was ever a liberal contributor. He was a ruling elder in this church for 18 years. Alfred Paull, a son of Judge Paull, was born October 15, 1854, in Wheeling, and was educated mainly at Washington and Jefferson College, of Pennsylvania. At the close of his sophomore year, in 1873, he entered the manufacturing business in Wheeling. In this and in other kinds of business he continued until he engaged in his present line, that of general insurance. Mr. Paull is manager for a number of companies for the State of West Virginia, and has from 75 to 100 agents who report to him. All adjustments are made and all losses are paid from his office. Mr. Paull devotes his entire time to this business. His office has been, for the past five years, at No. 1120 Market street, where a force of clerks is kept busy. Alfred Paull married Lee Singleton, of Wheeling, a daughter of Capt. Thomas Singleton. Her mother was a descendant of Samuel Irwin, the Irwins being an early family of Ohio County. Mr. and Mrs. Paull have two sons and two daughters, as follows: Mary Irwin, who married Arthur Greer Hubbard, secretary of the Wheeling Mold & Foundry Company; Lyde; Alfred Singleton, who is attending Princeton College; and Lee, who is 13 years old. Mr. Paull owns a beautiful home at No. 729 Main street. He served for four years in the first branch of the City Council, and was a member of the Board of Education. He is past grand commander of the Knights Templar of West Virginia. On July 20, 1901 he received the commission of aide- de-camp with the rank of colonel, on the staff of Governor A. B. White. Mr. Paull is a member of the First Presbyterian Church, in which he is an elder. He has been one of the directors of the Young Men's Christian Association since its organization. He is director and chairman of the executive committee of the City Hospital, with which he has been associated since its organization. He is also a member of the Board of Trade. ------------------------------------------------------------------- If you've reached this file through a SEARCH, you can access other biographies for Ohio County, WV by going to the following URL: http://www.us-data.org/wv/ohio/bios.html -------------------------------------------------------------------