Page:The Granite Monthly Volume 5.djvu/226

198 THE GRANITE MONTHLY. During his seven years' service with Major Larkin, Mr. Tullock acquired a general knowledge of business, in the different trades, as he had occasion to take account of stocks and keep records of the sales of goods in most of the stores in that city, in addition to his experience acquired at the regular auction and commission store on State, near Pleasant street, and the Parade. He left Major Larkin's employ, at the solicitation of Col. Samuel Gookin, who appointed him his confidential clerk when he became Postmaster of Portsmouth, on the accession of General Harrison to the Presidency. It was then an important office, and one of the five distributing post-offices in New England.

When a change occurred in the transportation of the mails from coaches to cars, the Portsmouth post-office became merely a local one, and the force of employes was consequently reduced. Mr. Tullock was selected to remain, and continued to serve a few months longer until July 19, 1842, when he resigned and went to New York city, where he was employed as a publishing agent in a newspaper establishment. In 1845, he was the principal bookkeeper in a whole-sale importing hardware house in that city, but relinquish'ed that position to enter again the employment of Col. Gookin, who, having purchased the large property, bordering on the river near Daniel Street, which had been used by the Portsmouth Foundry and Machine Shops, established the Portsmouth Machine Shops and Car Factory, and constructed the cards, looms, and some of the other machinery used in the large Portsmouth Steam Factory, which was built at that time. Col. Gookin did a successful business and continued to employ a large number of men, first as sole proprietor, and afterwards, under the firm name of Gookin and Stearns, until a revulsion caused a suspension of the establishment. Mr. Tullock had charge of the accounts and general management of the business, except its mechanical supervision, from November, 1845, until October, 184S, when he was appointed one of the assignees of Gookin and Stearns, and by the creditors, trustee of the property.

From May 1, 1847, to April 1, 1848, in addition to other duties, Mr. Tullock, upon the urgent request of the postmaster, who was of opposite politics, had the oversight of the post-office, the principal clerk having retired, leaving no person fully qualified to assort and dispatch the mails and render the accounts. Mr. Tullock was also connected in business with the late William P. Gookin, as a dealer in wood and coal, lime, cement, plaster and sand, at Machine-shop wharves near Daniel Street, and at Sheafe's wharf, Water street, under the firm name of Gookin and Tullock, until April, 1850, when he sold his interest to his partner, who afterwards conducted the business, mainly on Long wharf, which he had purchased.

From May, 1849, to May, 1853, he was Postmaster of Portsmouth having the entire confidence of the community, and being warmly commended for his intelligent and efficient discharge of the duties of the office. The newspapers of Portsmouth without exception made favorable mention of his administration of its affairs: —