Apiary of T. S. Bull – Porter County pioneer Theodore S. Bull, who died March 30, 1891, at age 62, was commended highly in issue of American Bee Journal for system and management employed in large apiary on Farm in Liberty Township. Apiary in front of barn at right, contained 100 colonies producing honey primarily for northern states markets.
This story by Rollie Bernhart originally appeared in The Vidette-Messenger on March 23, 1964.
More than a century ago, Theodore S. Bull achieved a reputation as a beekeeper of note. His apiary on the family farm in Liberty Township, across the road from what is now Moss Lake CYO camp, was known far and wide for its unusual system, methods, and management.
According to history, Bull, grandfather of Theodore A. Bull, Washington Township, became interested in bees about four years after his birth on March 20, 1829, in Cayuga County, New York.
Whether the following account was actually the beginning of his interest in bees, apparently is not agreed upon in the genealogy of the Bull family, but at least it was a start toward the vocation in which Bull received a wide reputation.
Bags Bees
“One day, upon hearing some older members of the family telling of a bee ree having been cut, he learned where the tree was located and after preparing a box, went in search of the bees. He secured about a quart (bees, not honey).”
“Not knowing how to winter the bees, he was advised to bury them, as they would live without food. They all died. His interest survived, however, and grew with him,” the biographical sketch added.
Bull, following this experience, began to devote much time to the study of bees and their habits. He would stand for hours watching bees in movement until darkness prevented further study.”
When he was 16 years old, his father, noting his son’s increasing love for bees, bought him a colony and a patented three-brood chambered hive.
Studies Habits
Thus, from this initial colony and equipment, until he came to Porter County in 1850 with his parents, he spent his leisure hours in examining the life and progress of the little, buzzing, honey-making critters.
Two years after coming to the Liberty Township farm in Porter County, he began to expand from the original bee colony.
Seeing a swarm of bees entering a hallow tree on the farm he managed to secure them and kept them in a box-hive. Ever on the alert for progressive beekeeping equipment which would enable safe wintering, he decided upon a new moveable frame hive called the “Cottage Bee Hive.” Six colonies of bees survived in these new hives.
In 1872, Bull purchased three additional colonies of bees, according to history the only ones he ever bought.
100 Colonies
Because of his intense interest, continuous study and inherent love for the buzzing little comb builders, Bull’s apiary reached a total of 100 colonies at its peak. He never, after his initial experience at the age of four, lost a colony during the cold winters.
From the 100 colonies, Bull was able to sell several thousand pounds of excellent honey annually. His primary market was consumers in the northern states, although most of the home markets in Valparaiso and surrounding area sold the product.
Described as a man of medium size, of sanguine, nervous temperature, Bull was found of reading solid literature, especially that on bee-culture.
The reputation he finally achieved before his unexpected death on March 30, 1891, at the age of 62, is best contained in an article in the American Bee Journal.
“His apiary was kept in a very neat matter, as was his excellent farm. His methods and systematic management were admired by all its visitors. It afforded him the greatest pleasure to show his hives and explain his methods.”