Clarke courier. [volume] (Berryville, Va.) 1869-1997, 1910-03-30

DEAR CoURIEB8
Will you allow me space in your
very valuable paper for the follow
ing sketch of the life of the late
Matthew Pulliam, feeling, as i do,
that because of the many requests
and inquiries, il is the best medium
to answer or comply with the wishes
of all who knew him in his every
day life, walk and conversation.
Moreover, / hope my motive
will not be misconstrued, for only
do that which my heart and my
duty as son impel me To do. and
not because of my desire to have
this notice appear in print.
There are many who can and
will testify TO his many virtues,
and will remember his life work
and who constantly came into CON
tact with him during a business
career extending through sixty
four years in this place.
pay my tribute to his memory
because | loved him and shall
revere and love his memory SO
long as life is given me; and be-
cause / would have other men
initiate his example.
This motive alone prompts me
To pay TO his memory this tribute
as loving father, n true and con-
slant friend. a courteous gentleman
at all times, and a good citizen.
Matthew Pulliam was born in
the little village of Sperryville,
Rappahannock county, Va, and
was the third of five sons born To
Rhoda Lillard and John Ransom
Pulliam.
At the early age of five years,
death entered the family circle and
took away the father in the prime
ofhiS manhood. leaving the mother
and five children to struggle as
best they could against the hard
ships of the world.
The mother was true to her trust,
for she had received in her early
training the knowledge which
enabled her TO cope successfully
with tue many difficulties in her
way. She was of noble stock, and
knew not the meaning of failure,
and in her long life she never
wavered or faltered in efforts for
her sons advancement.
Her father. Capt. Benjamin
Lllard, was in the Colonial Army
at the siege of Yorktown, and was
present when Lord CORVALLIS
surrendered TO the force under
command Of Generals Washington
and Lafayette, the latter in com
mand of the French allies of the
ColoniSts.
Among the relics priced by her
beyond valuation were the silver
buttons taken from her fathers
continental uniform. In after
years she had these buttons made
INTO tea spoons, intending one fol
each Of her five sons.
in this village and immediate
neighborhood were spent the
greater part of his early life.
nave taken the keenest delight il
listening to his recital of his boy
hood and school days and what al
ehort and struggle it was for hin
l" acquire the very limited educa
uon necessary to successful
start IN life, and which was essen
ta' TO the occupation selected by
nm for his life work.
Atthat time there were no publi,
schools such as we have at this day
WIN Their every facility for acGuir
ing an education, but schools wer,
iew IN number and far between
them. Teachers were not sOnumer
Gus or efficient as at this writing
ana the school term was short
only In winter, when no worl
would interfere, was there al
opportunity presented. Schoo
houses were of the rudest construc
1lon' built of logs with benches
and seats hewn from the sam
material.
Under such conditions he &C
Julred, by diligent application
que art OF writing and reading, an
was quick to learn arithmetic.
tnus equipped, he entered hi
apprenticeship as wheelright in
shop conducted and owned by hi
cousin, William Carter. in III
Image Image of Little Wa,hingior
ratnfully he carried ont his term
oI THIS three-year contract. AN
wnen he left there he was a con
pe5ent and expert mechanic.
ne entered upon his career as
jo9rneyman in the shop of Trou
" retty at Front Royal, Va. Hi