Nevada Genealogy Trails Washoe County Charles Gulling Biography

CHARLES GULLING, who is the secretary and manager of the Reno Mill & Lumber Company of Reno, is well known in the industrial and commercial circles of this state. In reviewing the history of Mr. Gulling one is reminded of the words of a great new York financier: "If you're not a success, don't blame the times you live in, don't blame the place you occupy, don't blame the circumstances you are surrounded with - lay the blame where it belongs - to yourself. Not in time, place or circumstance, but in the man lies success. If you want success you must pay the price." Realizing the truth of these statements. Mr. Gulling has paid the price of concentrated effort, indomitable energy, of perseverance and well applied business principles, and in the end has won the prosperity for which he has been striving.

Born in California, he first opened his eyes to the light of day in Oak valley on the 14th of October. 1855, his father being Martin Gulling, who is mentioned elsewhere in this volume. In 1859 the family removed to Chico, and in 1866 came to Washoe county, Nevada. Mr. Charles Gulling was educated in the public schools of both states, and is a graduate of Heald's Business College of San Francisco, having completed the course there with the class of 1878. Previous to this time he had entered upon his business career as a teacher, and he followed the profession in the schools of Reno from 1875 until 1881. He was also connected with the surveying party that surveyed the road for the Nevada, California & Oregon Railroad, and in 1881 he was employed at Verdi by the Crystal Peak Lumber Company, with which he was associated for seven years, when the business was sold to the Trucker Lumber Company. Mr. Gulling remained with the new firm until 1887. and then became connected with the Reno Mill & Lumber Company. Two years later, when the business was incorporated, he became one of the stockholders and incorporators, and was elected secretary and manager. He has since filled the dual position in a most satisfactory manner, covering a period of sixteen years, and under his guidance the business of the company has attained a most gratifying degree of prosperity. He was also one of the incorporators of the Union Building & Loan Association, of which he is the president, and he has been the secretary of the Orr Water Ditch Company for the past twenty years, being thus connected with the enterprises which have proved of the utmost importance to the state in the development and expansion of its business interests. He is a trustee of the chamber of commerce of Reno, and is taking a most active and helpful part in the upbuilding of the city and in the progress which has led to the rapid development of Nevada within recent years.

In 1883 Mr. Gulling was united in marriage to Miss Margaret Henry, of Verdi, Nevada. She was born in Canada, and by her marriage has become the mother of three children: Ailene, Harry and Charles. Mr. Gulling is an active supporter of the Democratic party, and is a member of the Democratic state central committee. His influence carries weight in the councils of his party, and his efforts have been a cooperant factor in the success which has attended its measures and secured the adoption of its principles. Mr. Gulling has built a nice residence on Fourth street in Reno, and he and his family have hosts of warm friends in the city.

Source:
A History of the State of Nevada: Its Resources and People
By Thomas Wren, Lewis Publishing Company
Published by The Lewis publishing company, 1904