Thomas Brockway Bullene (1828-1894) Collection (KC288)

Native Sons Archives (NSA)

T.B. Bullene was born on a farm in Oswego County, New York. His education was limited to private schooling, but he was an avid reader. He married Amarett Hickok of Bridgeport, New York, in 1855, with whom he had three sons and one daughter. After his first wife's death, he married Sally McGraw Reid, a widow, in 1871. Bullene learned merchandising in Lyons, Wisconsin. In 1863, he came from Iowa to Kansas City, going into business with Kersey Coates. In 1867, Bullene, his brother Lathrop, and partner W.E. Emery began Bullene Brothers and Emery, later becoming Bullene, Moore and Emery with the addition of L.R. Moore as a partner in 1870.

Bullene was active in Kansas City's civic life. He was a charter member of the Provident Association and Commercial Club, president of the Kansas City Railway Company, and a volunteer fireman. In 1883 and 1888, he was a delegate to the Western Waterways Convention in Washington, DC. Bullene was a councilman from the fifth ward from 1879 to 1880, and in 1882 he was elected mayor for one term. Bullene was an elder and trustee for the Second Presbyterian Church.

This collection consists of three diary volumes dating from 1874 through 1894. They contain personal notes and writings, poetry, family history, some clippings, a few photographs, and greatly detailed financial records. 1874-1894

3 volumes

© WHMC-KC, University of Missouri

updated: Tuesday, November 01, 2005
Western Historical Manuscript Collection-Kansas City
(816) 235-1543 WHMCKC@umkc.edu