The San Francisco call., 1907-01-05
REV. MR.. GULL AND
WIFE REUNITED
Strange Story of Romance
Unfolded by Meeting of
Long Separated Couple
APART FOR IA YEARS

OAKLAND, Jan. 4.-After mourning
each other dead for more than four
ten years, Rev. John A. Gull. formerly
assistant pastor OF ST. Francis de Sales
Church, of this city, and HIS wife, Mrs.
Genevteve Gull, have been reunited
and are now residing at 4I5 Sfxty-first
street. The romantic story, which be-
gan with an eIopement and marriage
AZ sea and ended with their reunion.
after long separation, In the parish
house of st. Francis de Sales Church.
WINS made public only a few days ago,
after MIR. Gull had resigned from the
priesthood and been admitted to the
ministry of the Congregational church.
Twenty-Five years ago, John A. Gull
who was then is years of age, and
Genevieve Greene. ia years old. slipped
away from the homes OF their parents
in San Jose, and proceeding TO San
Francisco. secured a rug and were
made husband and wife beyond the
three-mile limit For several months
they kept their marriage a secret but
their parents finally learned of the
elopement and decreed that the young
couple should remain apart until they
were older.
A year after the secret marriage on
the high seas the young wife went
East with her mother to enter a school
lntTGs ana a IcW months 1dlGI u letter
was received by her announcing the
death OF her husband, and informing
her that his family cared to have no
further relations with her or her
mother. About the same time a SINH
lar letter was received by Gull, pur-
porting 10 have come from the mother
OF his wife. Who the writer OF the
letters was neither the husband nor
his wife has since their reunion been
able to discover
Stung by the attitude each supposed
the family OF the other had assumed.
neither Gull nor his wife attempted
to learn more OF the supposed details
OF each others death. When Informed
that his wife was dead Gull was a
student at Santa Clara College and
almost Immediately after receiving the
fateful news he determined to enter
the priesthood. Graduating from
Santa Clara he entered St Mary s
Seminary In Baltimore, and after COM
pleting his studies there spent two
years in the Catholic University OF
Washington. d. c.
on being ordained he was assigned
20 ST. Francis de Sales Church In this
city as assistant TO Rev. Thomas Nc
Sweeney, and IL was while serving in
that capacity that he first learned that
his wife was still alive. During his
-
Father Gull won the love OF his parish
toner's and the communication of his fell
low ciergymen.
After being informed that her hus-
band was dead Mrs. Gull completed her
education in the East and later entered
Journalism. After spending several years
in the East she returned to California
where she has since lived
Shortly after her arrival in this city
I she went to the parish house OF St
! Francis Church TO secure copy OF one
or the Catholic periodicals. On inQuir-
ing for the pastor of the church she
was Informed that Father McSweeney
was out, but that she might see his
assistant. She was ushered into the
study OF the pastor. and stood face
TO face with the husband whom she
had for years nourned as dead Recog-
milton on both sides was instant.
The dramatic meeting over, explana-
tions followed, but neither was able &c
explain the mysterious letters each had
received. Immediately on the return
OF Father NcSweeney Father Call told
the story OF his romantic reunion with
his wife. and later the story was told
to Archbishop Riordan. Father Gull Al
his own request was transferred to Hell
'ena. Mont.
Finally determining 70 resign from
the priesthood and re5oin the wife from
whom he so long had been separated
4 Father Gull on March "a. 1906. present
ed his resignation to the Archbishop
/ The resignation was accepted. and Mr.
Gull applied for admission to the min
istry Of the Congregational church.
On December his application was
accepted, his ordination following or
Tuesday, December IL. On the follow
1 ing evening he conducted the InEdweek
services at the First Congregations
Church OF this city.