Every citizen of Marion is to-day realizing the benefits which came to the city through the far-sighted policy of those able men, who in despite of great opposition, secured for the community the system of water works which has proven by more than twenty years of constant use the excellence of the plan adopted in the younger days of the city's existence. The system that was then adopted after a careful and candid study of the physical geography of this section of the state by a few enthusiastic and pains-taking business men, is still in vogue, being extended and increased to meet the needs of a growing city. Every visitor has only praise for the excellence of the water supply, few other cities having it so delicious and pure.

        It seems strange to the youth of the year 1901 that it required great diplomocy (sic) and agitation to induce the property owners of less than a quarter of a century ago to decide upon the adoption of any system of water supply, but such was the case. When it was finally agreed some provision should be had, the question was as to the plans, many supporting the idea of having fire engines to be supplied by various sources; the other side having equally able advocates of having ample supply, not only for fire protection, but also for private consumption, arguing that such a plan would soon be self-supporting and possibly be the source of income above the expense of operating. Those who held to the latter proposition finally secured the control of the matter, five men being named as the board to put the idea into execution. This board was composed of Colonel A. Steele, James Sweetser, Charles Reece, David Laughman and Samuel Hulley, the places of the first two being later taken by Byron Jones and Samuel Babb. Samuel Hulley, though a strong Democrat, was elected, in a Republican ward, to the council, on the strength of his being one of the most earnest in the advocacy of the improvement, and his recognized ability as a practical mechanic made him of incalcuable value on the board of constructors. He had given the matter considerable study and was thus convinced that a sufficient supply of the finest water could be secured from the ground, having discovered that a rare quality of water came from the banks of the creek.

        The first well was an ordinary one of but twenty-five feet in depth, and to test his theory a two-inch hole was drilled in the bottom of this to the distance of forty-three feet, when water rose to the surface demonstrating the truth of his contention. Soon this was enlarged to six inches and a second one of the same dimension was added, making an unfailing source of the finest beverage known to man.

        Much criticism was offered by even many of the town's leading citizens, no move being undertaken that did not bring forth a tirade of abuse and vituperation. Some of the members of the board resigned, the brunt of the work and responsibility falling upon the shoulders of but three, and as Hulley was the recognized superintendent of the construction the keenest shafts were fired directly at him. He had rented his foundry and machine shop, that he might not be hampered in his work, and not working for the emoluments connected with the place, as it paid but twenty-six dollars per year, and being convinced of the accuracy of his position and having a will not easily daunted, he pressed on believing the end would justify the means even to ignoring the many voluntary advisers. No citizen but who will, now that the accuracy of his judgment has been verified by more than twenty years of constant use, accord to him the honor of being the father of the admirable system of water works enjoyed by this progressive Indiana city.

        The completion of the work, involving an outlay of thirty-five thousand dollars, was done with the utmost attention to details, so that there was no question as to the thoroughness and workwanlike result. The keenness of the perception that redounded, finally, to the great advancement of the entire community was credited to the proper place, the former criticism and abuse being turned to the highest praise and commendation.

        Mr. Hulley has never taken what would be considered an active part in the affairs of the community from the partisan standpoint, though he is a stanch Democrat in his political views. He has, however, been a close student of all economic questions pertaining to the general welfare, arriving, after careful observation and diligent study, to the conclusion that all public utilities, such as water works, gas and electric light plants, telephone systems and even street railways should be owned and operated by the municipalities themselves. He has not, however, allowed himself to be carried to the lenghts of the new political party, based upon the advocacy of those principles alone.

        Samuel Hulley was born in Lancaster, England, September 2, 1819, being the son of George and Hannah (Whitehall) Hulley. When but a small boy he was brought by his parents to America, his three brothers, George, Esquire and Elkannah, having already settled at, or near, Chester, Pennsylvania. The father had been a manufacturer of cotton goods, and his sons were operating a woolen mill in Pennsylvania, removing later to Moorefield, Switzerland county, Indiana, where the parents settled on a farm, having in the meantime returned to their native land only to again come to the new world in the year 1833. They both died near Moorfield at quite advanced years, he having passed four-score years and she being eighty-seven.

        In 1840 Samuel went to Richmond, Indiana, where he learned the trade of machinest, and after becoming proficient worked for some time at Hagerstown, Wayne county. Remaining there until the excitement incident to the discovery of gold in California so worked upon him that he decided upon taking the trip, he cast his fortunes with the many who were then making the mines their Mecca. In company with others he made the tedious trip across the plains, being from the 3rd of May till the 2nd of September going from St. Joseph, Missouri, to Sacramento. Many interesting events occurred to relieve the monotony of the great plains, not the least being a cloud-burst, or possibly what more properly may be called cyclone, being encountered at the time of crossing the Platte river, resulting in a stampede of their horses and the drowning of several of them before order could be restored.

        The two years passed in California were full of life and incident which space precludes mention. Many temptations were thrown in the way of the miners, most of whom were, like himself, young men, and it required a vast amount of self control not to be dragged into the vortex of dissipation which was the ruin of thousands. While not specially fortunate in his mining ventures, he by dint of strict economy and saving managed to bring home with with him several hundred hard-earned dollars. He, though realizing the many vicissitudes and hardships of such a trip for the young man, also appreciated the many advantages in lessons of self-reliance and the broadening that comes to any man in contact with the world, and has ever since been an earnest advocate of the idea of the boys seeing something of the world by actual contact, realizing the benefits to be only thus obtained.

        Returning to his old Indiana home by way of the isthmus, his observation of the world and knowledge of humanity was considerably extended and he reached home and old friends much better satisfied with himself and a higher appreciation of those about him. He resumed mechanical work in the railroad shops at Newcastle, remaining there until 1857, when he located at Marion. At no time, during the forty-three years he has resided among the people of Grant county, has he been a cipher in the community. The reputation he has attained is one of which any citizen may well feel proud. He at once became identified with the manufacturing interests of Marion, by a connection with John Cochrane in the foundry and machine business. He remained in this connection, first with Mr. Cochrane and later with Joseph Hulley, till 1876, since which he has had relation with the same establishment at various times, retiring finally but about seven years since. In his business relations he has prospered, and, having great faith in the future of the city of his adoption, has made extensive investments in the line of real-estate, now owning a handsome frontage on South Adams street, besides much other valuable property. He has ever taken a consistent and advanced position regarding all public improvements, advocating greater facilities in transporation, better roads, superior school advantages for the youth, and no proposition having for its object the betterment of the community but has found in him a friend and sympathizer. Pre-eminently a man of the strictest honor and undoubted integrity, he has consistently stood for all that makes better citizenship and advanced civilization.

        October 1, 1843, Samuel Hulley married, near Vevay, Indiana, Miss Hannah Goddard, who was born in Fleming county, Kentucky, March 20, 1823, and who accompanied her parents to Indiana at the age of fourteen. She was the daughter of Benjamin and Nancy (Ringo) Goddard, both families being among those who have produced many ilustrious names in the state of her nativity. Nearly fifty-seven years have this worthy couple trod the pathway of life together, their mutual inclinations so blended that each can truly say that to them wedded life has proven a joyous benediction. No children have come to them during these years, yet each possesses to an eminent degree the qualities that endear them to all with whom they have had contact. Their love for the good in human nature leads them to many acts of charity, of which the public has little knowledge. Baptised into the fold of the established church, in his native land, he has ever been looked upon as being to a certain extent identified with the Episcopal faith, while actually he has not pretended to fellowship. He has ever been in closest sympahty with all moral movements, his own example being ever toward a purity of private life that has ever tended to a superior citizenship of those who have in anywise patterned from him.

        Believing in the principles empasized and practiced in the Masonic craft, he became identified with the fraternity at Hagerstown quite early in life, the lodge presenting him, in 1849, with a diploma which speaks much for his rectitude of life and faithfulness of character. He is doubtless the oldest Mason now residing in Marion, and has received many testimonials of fraternal esteem and regard by the home body, one being a handsome arm-chair, in which the many hours of serious contemplation are now passed.

        Space forbids the insertion of many points illustrating the character more fully of this excellent citizen and amiable gentleman, and those who are numbered among his friends do not need them.

        Now, as the century has closed which has done so much for the advancement of the world and in which he was no unimportant factor, this far-sighted and practical gentleman reviews with admiration the events that occurred about him, receiving no little satisfaction that life was cast at this important period in the world's history and that he was permitted to not only see the progress but to take a hand in the development. Awaiting the stroke of time that announces the hour of "high twelve" for him, he stands in no fear of the summons, realizing that his use of the emblems have been in accordance with ancient teaching and that there is a place reserved for him in "that house not made with hands eternal in the Heavens."