Joseph Hulley
The Hulley Foundry and Machine Works at Adams and Eighth Streets in Marion is the pioneer industry of its kind in this part of Indiana. In an early day the Hulley family drew patronage from many surrounding counties. It was founded by Samuel Hulley, and uncle of Joseph Hulley, who was for many years its sole proprietor and whose family still owns the plant. Associated with Samuel Hulley in the operation of the foundry was John Cochran for a number of years.
The Hulley family came from England, and after a few years in Pennsylvania moved on the Switzerland county in Indiana, lived at Mooresfield, and some of them finally located in Marion. The first Hulley in Grant County was Samuel Hulley, and the name has long been a part of the history of this community. Samuel Hulley had no children, and was survived many years by his wife. There is mention of him in the history of the Marion water system, and it was Joseph Hulley who brought the alligator from Florida which was kept for twenty-eight years at the water works at Matter Park in the summer time. Samuel Hulley was the uncle of both Joseph and Elkanah Hulley, who were cousins.
When Joseph Hulley came to Marion in 1857 he recognized the possibilities of the Hulley family, and in order to utilize his opportunities to the best advantage he went to Philadelphia and spent three years in the Baldwin Locomotive Works as a machinist's apprentice, obtaining a thorough knowledge of the business and on joining his uncle at the Marion plant was equipped for any kind of work brought to the foundry. Soon afterward he acquired the interest of Mr. Cochran, and the firm name was S. & J. Hulley for about a quarter of a century, when Samuel Hulley retired and Joseph became sole owner of the foundry. He continued at its head until his death on April 26, 1909. By the term of his will his wife has continued the business without division of the property. L. P. Hess, a son-in-law, and who has been identified with the business a number of years, was installed as manager after the death of Mr. Hulley, so that his demise made no changes whatever in the management of the plant.
Joseph Hulley married September 12, 1871, Miss Harriet Mowrer, a daughter of Daniel and Catherine (Beam) Mowrer. To them were born two daughters, Ida and Katharine. Both the young ladies graduated from the Marion High School, and Miss Ida Hulley from the Ohio Wesleyan University at Delaware, in both the classical and musical departments, and Miss Katharine Hulley from Mrs. Noble's School of Expression and Languages in Detroit. Ida Hulley is the wife of Luther P. Hess, and is actively associated with the musical life of the community (see chapter on Music). Katharine Hulley became the wife of W. O. Washburn, who lives in St. Paul, Minnesota, and their three sons are: Joseph Hulley, Albert Owens and Will Owens Washburn.
Mrs. Joseph Hulley has always lived in Marion. Her father, Daniel Mowrer, operated the woolen mill that was later owned by D. R. McKinney and converted into a flouring mill, located near where Boots Creek empties into the Mississinewa at Spencer Avenue, but in the earlier times its location was at Mowrer's Mill Pond, elsewhere mentioned in this Centennial History. "The Mowrer carding mill was a big thing in its day," said a man who remembered all about it. "When people made their own "wear" they brought their wool to the carding mill to have it made ready for them. Mr. Mowrer was a good man in the community."
Daniel Mowrer was an active member in the Presbyterian Church, and his daughter Mrs. Hulley is a member there. Samuel and Joseph Hulley both retained their membership in the Church of England, and were both active Democrats in politics and stood for good citizenship in the community. When the Lyric Club, the first musical organization in the county, was organized, Mrs. Hulley drafter its constitution, and after twenty-five years, when the club reorganized, few changes were necessary in it. She has always been a patroness of all events musical, and continued the custom of travel which she and Mr. Hulley had so frequently enjoyed together. She has seen picturesque America, and believes in knowing more about America and then the rest of the world. Since giving up the family homestead Mrs. Hulley has apartments in the Cecilian.
Centennial History of Grant County Indiana 1812-1912. The Lewis Publishing Co., 1914.