HON. JAMES M. MULLEN
Was born in Pasquotank county, North Carolina, on September 10,
1845. His parents now reside at Halifax, North Carolina, James Whedbee
Mullen, born March 19, 1809, in Pasquotank county, and Susan W.
Clary, born in Perquimans county, North Carolina. His paternal grandparents
were Joseph and Ann (Sutton) Mullen, of Pasquotank county,
and his mother is the daughter of John Clary, of Perquimans county,
who married Jane Pointer, of the same county. At Petersburg, Virginia,
October 13, 1875, Bishop Duncan officiating clergyman, James
M. Mullen married Evelyn A. Grigg. Their children are: James, Thomas
Wilson, Grizzell, Clary Sutton, living, and Maud and Cornelia, now
deceased. Mrs. Mullen was born in Petersburg, the daughter of Wesley
Grigg, who was born in Dinwiddie county, and who died in February,
1867. Her mother was Augustina P. Wells, born in Petersburg, died
in May, 1882, aged fifty-nine years.
Mr. Mullen was educated in Perquimans county, North Carolina, attending
the Hertford Male Academy, then studying law under Hon. Thomas
G. Skinner, of Hertford. He came to the Bar in January, 1869, commenced
practice in Halifax county, North Carolina, in March, 1869,
where he remained until July, 1886, when he moved to Petersburg, which
has been his home since that date. He still retains, however, his practice
in Halifax and Northampton counties, North Carolina, and practices
in the courts of Petersburg and adjoining counties.
He entered the Confederate States Army in February, 1862, and was
enrolled in Martin's Battery, Boggs' Battalion (Va.) Light Artillery. In
October, 1863, he was transferred from Martin's (Va.) Battery to
Webb's (N. C.) Battery, same (Boggs') Battalion, where he served until
the battery was disbanded, latter part of April, 1865, near Raleigh,
North Carolina.
In 1866 he was appointed register of deeds for Perquimans county,
North Carolina, and held the office a little over two years. At the general
election, November, 1884, he was elected to the State Senate for
North Carolina from Halifax county, and served one term, beginning
January, 1885. At the municipal election for Petersburg, Virginia, held
May 24, 1888, he was elected commonwealth attorney for said city, term
beginning July 1, 1888, ending June 30, 1890.
