Comments on: James G. Bull

By: Sharon Brevoort

Sharon Brevoort — Tue, 25 Nov 2014 14:15:43 +0000

I found the evidence for James G. Bull’s middle name, and it is “Gilruth”.
(1) It’s in the death record for his son, Jason Henry Bull, at FamilySearch.
(2) It’s in his Civil War pension papers.
(3) It’s in catalogues for the Sigma Chi Fraternity, at Google Books; James attended Ohio Wesleyan University where he joined Sigma Chi.
(4) It’s repeated in various records for his son, James G. Bull, Jr.

So “Columbus Mayors” had it wrong after all! Good thinking, Marty!

By: Sharon Brevoort

Sharon Brevoort — Tue, 28 Oct 2014 18:37:13 +0000

“Columbus Mayors” indicates that “The mayor’s parents were Alonson and Hannah Bull; his middle initial stood for Gilbrugh.” No sources were provided, however, so it remains to be verified.

A search on Ancestry.com brought up no one with the surname “Gilbrugh” in Ohio or even in the US, and many with the surname “Gilruth.” Since the Bulls, Brevoorts, Hunts, and many other Clintonville residents were members of the Clinton Chapel, Methodist Episcopal Church, and the minister of that church was Rev. Jason Bull, James Bull’s uncle, I think Marty’s hypothesis is a good one.

By: Marty Cottrill

Marty Cottrill — Fri, 06 Jan 2012 15:01:08 +0000

I think the middle name of James G. Bull is Gilruth. I noticed that when researching my Beers ancestors (from the same part of Columbus). My great-great-grandmother’s brother, born the same year as James, was named Elias Gilruth Beers. Well, it also happens that a well-known and highly respected circuit rider who covered their area around that time was named James Gilruth. He was known for his compelling preaching but also for his impressive size and strength. My guess is that both the Beers and Bull parents chose the ir boys’ names with the hope that they would emulate some of the preacher’s moral and physical strength.