Maria Louisa Clarke Hull was born in North Adams, New York, July 8, 1836, and died at Milton Junction, Wisconsin, September 18, 1912.
She was one of eleven children born to Elnathan and Maria Spencer Clarke. One brother was the Rev. Joshua Clarke, a Seventh-day Baptist minister. Of the four brothers and seven sisters, but two sisters survive, Mrs. Mary Ann Langworthy and Mrs. Amos Crandall, both of Milton Junction.
In 1856, when the subject of this sketch was twenty years of age, she came west to Wisconsin with her next younger sister. She had taught school in New York state, beginning when she was fifteen years old, and after attending Milton College during the winter she again taught in this community. She taught two terms at Rock River and one term at Milton Junction in the red brick school house which stood somewhere near where the high school building now stands.
In 1860, September 25th, she was united in marriage to the Rev. Hamilton Hull by the Rev. O. P. Hull. Mr. Hull had been married before, his first wife had died about four years before leaving him with three children. His home at this time was in Dakota Territory, and here he took his new wife. Their home subsequently was at Albion, Jackson Center, Ohio, Walworth, Milton, and Milton Junction.
Four children were born of this union. The eldest, a daughter, died when quite young; two sons, Frank and Clifton, both died at Milton Junction after reaching manhood. The other daughter, Alice, became the wife of S. H. Jewett and died some years ago leaving two children, Edna and Charles. Mr. Hull died August 29, 1898. Mrs. Hull felt keenly the loss of her children, but seemed to live for her grandchildren, bestowing upon them all the love of her mother heart. That which has been said of a mother's love could be said of her in reference to her love for her grandchildren, 'Never calculating, always hoping.'
In her last illness, which at times was very painful, she was comforted by the presence and tender personal care of her grand daughter. Mrs. Hull was converted at about the age of thirteen in a revival meeting held in a school house near her home in Central New York. An older sister who was present remembers Louisa's very bright experience. She was a woman of unwavering trust in her Heavenly Father, and therefore, a firm believer in prayer. She read her Bible because it fed her soul, she prayed because prayer was her support, her life. She often remarked that through her sorrow in the loss of her loved ones, and through what she even felt was greater sorrow than death, The Lord sustained her, and without his support she could not have endured all her trouble. No doubt she was right. 'Jesus said, 'In the world ye shall have sorrow, but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.' Her trust was in Jesus who overcame, and she rests with him.
Besides her son-in-law and two grandchildren, and two sisters, she leaves two step-children, Richard Hull and Mrs. R. C. Maxwell and their children who have known her always and only as grandmother, and a wide circle of friends and acquaintances. We need not sorrow for her, but only that our sympathy was not as great for her, or our lives as helpful as they might have been, for her burdens were heavy. They do not weigh upon her now. For a time after she came to Wisconsin she was a member of the Seventh-day Baptist church [of Milton]. She died in the fellowship of the church of that faith in Milton Junction.
