Sonoma County Biography
Frederick Thomas Cullen
A native of the East Frederick Thomas Cullen was born in Utica, N. Y., January 26, 1874, the son of John L. and Frances (Ackerman) Cullen, the former born in Ireland and the latter in New York state. Following the trade of contractor and builder, John L. Cullen, believing his opportunities would be greater in a new country, took his family to Nevada City, Nevada, in the year 1876 and the following year to Petaluma, Cal., where his son, apprenticed to the same trade as that of his father has succeeded him with a goodly measure of success.
Frederick Thomas Cullen was one of seven children, all of whom were reared and educated in the public schools of Petaluma. At the age of sixteen he was apprenticed to the carpenter's trade and received good training from the start, as it was at this time the fair grounds were being remodeled, and his services were called for and highly approved. At the age of nineteen he became foreman for Camm & Hedges, which position he held for three years, then spent three years in Arizona in the employ of the Atchison Topeka & Santa Fe Railroad at bridge building, after which two years were spent in Butte, Mont., at his trade. In 1900, he returned to Petaluma, and launched out as a contractor and builder of the very highest standard and his ability and art are shown in many of the most beautiful buildings in Petaluma, chief among which are the residences for Messrs. Brainerd, Dittman, Clamer, Webber and the McKinley school building.
In this city Mr. Cullen was united in marriage to Miss Sarah Stephens, a native of Wisconsin, and four children have blessed their union, Frederick Stephen, Vivian Margaret, Dorothy and Richard. Although but thirty-seven years of age Mr. Cullen has made distinctive strides in his profession and during the eleven years of his residence in Petaluma has made for himself an enviable position, bidding fair for a future of unusual success. As a member of the community and St. Vincent's Catholic church, his charities and good citizenship are favorably commended.
History of Sonoma County, California
History by Tom Gregory : Historic Record Company, 1891
Los Angeles, Ca. 1911
Transcribed by Roberta Hester Leatherwood
June 2008
Page 945
Sonoma County Biographies ~ Archive Biography Index ~ Archive Index
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