William McMullen
William McMullen, for many .years one of Steubenville's able business men and founder of the large general grocery supply house at No. 521 Franklin Street, now lives retired in Union County, New Mexico, where the mild climate has restored his health, which was seriously impaired by the exposure and hardships he endured during a long service in the Civil War. He was born in Harrison County, Ohio, December 2, 1842, and is a son of Daniel and Elizabeth (Sands) McMullen.
William McMullen came to Steubenville in 1860 and secured work at the shoemaking trade. When the call came for soldiers, in the following year, he heeded it and enlisted for service. His father had been a hero of the Mexican War. The latter received a wound in New Mexico and died from it at New Orleans, on his way home. Mr. McMullen enlisted first in Company H, Second Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and served three months. He re-enlisted in Company H, First Ohio Volunteer Infantry, October 7, 1861, in which he served until he was honorably discharged, January 26, 1865. During this protracted period of service he participated in the battles of Pittsburgh Landing, First Bull Run, Shiloh, Corinth, luka, Tullahoma, Chattanooga, Stone River, Perryville, Resaca, Chickamauga, Missionary Ridge, Strawberry Plains and the siege of Atlanta. In June, 1864, he was captured by the Confederates at the battle of Stone Mountain, Georgia, and spent seven months as a prisoner in a southern fortress under conditions which made his survival of them a miracle. Mr. McMullen's record as a soldier is without a blemish, showing him to have been dependable at all times and often unusually courageous and resourceful.
Upon his return to peaceful pursuits, Mr. McMullen found his health shattered and until he had sufficiently recuperated to enable him to enter into business he utilized a part of his time in completing a commercial course in the Iron City Business College at Pittsburgh. Afterward for some fifteen years he engaged in the florist business and then turned his attention to the grocery trade and continued in that line for the remainder of his active business life. His sons continue the business, the family home being still at Steubenville.
Mr. McMullen was married August 4, 1869, to Miss Elizabeth King, who was born at Steubenville in 1841, a daughter of Matthew and Jane (Sands) King, natives of Ireland. Four children were born to Mr. and Mrs. McMullen: Jennie B., William K., Maggie M., and Matthew F. Mr. and Mrs. McMullen are members of the United Presbyterian Church. He is actively interested in the Grand Army of the Republic and enjoys attending the reunions of this body, his standing as a former soldier making him an honored member. Mr. McMullen has always been identified with the Republican party.
From 20th Century History of Steubenville and Jefferson County, Ohio, by Joseph B. Doyle. Richmond-Arnold Publishing Co., Chicago, 1910